FIJI CABINET TO CONSIDER MNFI DEPLOYMENT SHORTLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000429 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016 TAGS: MARR PREL KPKO IZ FJ SUBJECT: FIJI CABINET TO CONSIDER MNFI DEPLOYMENT SHORTLY REF: A. SUVA 370 ¶B. BAGHDAD 3761 Classified By: Amb. Larry Dinger. (Sec. 1.4: B,D) ¶1. (C) Jioji Kotobalavu, CEO for the office of Fiji's Prime Minister, informed us today that Home Affairs Minister Vosanibola is lobbying for Fiji to join the Coalition of the Willing in Iraq, the MNFI. Vosanibola just returned from his round-the-world visit to Fiji peacekeeping contingents, including to Baghdad. (See ref B re his meeting with the Embassy Baghdad DCM). Vosanibola's meetings with MNFI Generals and the Embassy (ref B) apparently were very successful. Vosanibola and Kotobalavu today discussed preparation of a submission to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on PKO, which is to meet this Friday, October 20. ¶2. (C) Kotobalavu asked if Fiji would have to distinguish between contributing to UNAMI and joining the MNFI. We responded that the USG is not asking Fiji to choose. We would welcome participation in both. Kotobalavu asked, "What is available to Fiji" if it joins the Coalition? We noted informal advice provided Vosanibola before his trip: that the U.S. would expect to provide all appropriate materiel and training assistance necessary for a deployment to the MNFI, though details would depend on the nature of the mission assigned to a Fijian contingent. Comment and action request -------------- ¶3. (C) We thank the MNFI leadership and Embassy Baghdad for a successful engagement with the Minister. In late afternoon, Vosanibola's office called asking for a 9 a.m. meeting tomorrow with the Ambassador. If Washington wishes the Embassy to provide any additional information and/or sweeteners to assist Fiji's Cabinet decision-making, please provide it ASAP, ideally before 4 p.m. Washinton time on Monday. DINGER