IRAQ/SYRIA RESUMPTION OF RELATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 005362

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/ELA
NSC FOR MARCHESE
TREASURY FOR GLASER/LEBENSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2016
TAGS: IZ PGOV PREL SY
SUBJECT: IRAQ/SYRIA RESUMPTION OF RELATIONS

REF: DAMASCUS 5326

Classified By: CDA Michael H. Corbin for reasons 1.5 b/d


1. (C) Charge spoke to both the Iraqi Charge and the
Algerian Ambassador (Iraq had been represented here as an
interests section of the Algerian Embassy) on the status of
resumption of Syrian-Iraqi diplomatic relations. Iraqi
Charge Sabah al-Imam said that since the November 19-21 FM
Muallim visit to Baghdad, there had been considerable
technical movement on resumption of diplomatic relations.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry had accorded full diplomatic
status to the Iraqi interests section. It had issued a
diplomatic note to that effect and had reissued diplomatic
cards with the new diplomatic status to all Iraqi diplomats.
Al-Imam proudly noted the new plaque beside the door of his
chancery declaring the building to be an Embassy. He said a
flag-changing ceremony would be held "in the first week of
December" to lower the Algerian flag and raise the Iraqi flag
on the Embassy. He commented it would be a low-key event.


2. (C) In response to Charge's question as to what other
evidence there was of a change in relations between Syria and
Iraq, al-Imam said the key issue would be security meetings
which would involve an Iraqi delegation coming to Syria (but
he was unclear who would lead it). Al-Imam was also vague
about resolution of the USD 503 million in Iraqi funds that
the Commercial Bank of Syria had paid out to various Syrians
during the collapse of the Saddam regime (reftel).
Separately, the Algerian Ambassador confirmed to Charge that
the transition from interests section to full Embassy was
proceeding rapidly. He said the flag raising ceremony would
be held shortly but echoed the Iraqi Charge in predicting it
would be a low-key affair.
CORBIN