GOI CAUTIOUS ABOUT IRAQ POLICE TRAINING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002324 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016 TAGS: PREL KCRM KJUS MARR MOPS PGOV PINR PINS PTER IZ, IN, JO SUBJECT: GOI CAUTIOUS ABOUT IRAQ POLICE TRAINING REF: STATE 050968 NEW DELHI 00002324 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (U) This is an action request for NEA/I. Please see para ¶8. ¶2. (C) Summary: In an April 5 meeting with PolCouns and Poloff, MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf) Sanjay Singh conveyed the GOI's cautious willingness to increase its involvement in Iraq's reconstruction. Singh was very interested in our sense of what is happening on the ground in Iraq regarding Sunni involvement in the political process and prospects for government formation. Quietly reaffirming India's interest in providing assistance to Iraq, Singh said he would pass along our request for Indian involvement in police training, and suggested that we raise the issue also at the political level. Singh asked a number of questions regarding the police training project that likely will come up in future conversations with the GOI on this topic. End Summary. Seeking the Facts -------------- ¶3. (C) MEA Joint Secretary Sanjay Singh asked PolCouns and Poloff on April 5 for the US perspective on what is happening in Iraq because the GOI "does not have the access" the US enjoys. When asked what he was hearing, he noted that he's only interested in facts, as "no sensible human being is going to analyze" the situation in Iraq. Singh was most interested in when we expect a government to be seated in Baghdad, noting that New Delhi is poised to relaunch the bilateral joint commission. Having Trouble Connecting with Baghdad -------------- ¶4. (C) Singh reported that the GOI has not had any recent communications with the Iraqi government. Efforts to plan meetings have been on hold pending the formation of the government, according to Singh. For instance, the Oil Minister was invited to New Delhi, but this also fell through. An effort to host the Itaqi Chamber of Commerce was cancelled when the group could not get airline tickets. Singh confirmed that Ambassador C. Gharekan's travel plans are on hold, but that he will go to Baghdad once the government is seated. However, the MEA is continuing its modest efforts to support the Iraqi government, and is working on rescheduling a meeting of constitutional experts in response to a request from Baghdad. The GOI will also provide petroleum engineering training to 229 Iraqi engineers who will come to India for 19 programs over the next six months. Questions on Police Training Initiative -------------- ¶5. (C) Singh was guardedly positive about GOI involvement in police training, but confirmed our sense that the decision to participate would ultimately be a political one. Singh raised a number of questions about the logistics of the training program (REFTEL) that are likely to come up in NEW DELHI 00002324 002.2 OF 002 future interactions on this topic. He seemed to take on board that the facility has an international composition, but wondered what role, if any, the UN is playing in the US-Jordan joint venture. Singh was also interested in Iraq's role and sense of ownership in the project. Singh said that he would pass the USG proposal up through the system and suggested that we provide a copy to Joint Secretary (Americas) Jaishankar. GOI Publicly Careful -------------- ¶6. (C) Singh was careful not to promise GOI participation in the police training initiative, but acknowledged that New Delhi remains committed to assisting in Iraqi reconstruction. He directed us to the transcripts of question and answer sessions in parliament to get a sense of current political perceptions, noting that the government has to be careful. The parliamentary transcripts reveal the same cautious tone, with government expressions of support for Iraqi reconstruction always including references to United Nations efforts, humanitarian assistance, or training in India. He averred, however, that India wants a "sovereign, independent, peaceful Iraq" and said that "we have great hopes" for economic and energy engagement. Comment: GOI Needs More Cover to Participate Meaningfully -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) Singh's comments suggest that the GOI may be open to taking part in the police training initiative, but not before some of its questions are answered. India's experience with building an effective police force that operates in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and terror stricken environment is certainly relevant to the Iraqi circumstance. Based on GOI statements for the record, UN involvement in the Jordan initiative would help New Delhi manage perceptions at home. We will continue to work with the GOI and expect to engage at the political level when we can answer the MEA's questions about the programs logistics. ¶8. (U) Action Request for NEA/I and INL: We would welcome answers to Singh's questions in para 3 so we can keep the dialogue moving. End Action Request. ¶9. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website: (http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/) MULFORD