AMBASSADOR'S INITIAL MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001162

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INITIAL MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER
MALIKI

Classified By: Ambassador Ryan Crocker. For reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S) Summary: During his introductory meeting with Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Ambassador Crocker emphasized full
U.S. support for the PM an his government. Maliki expressed
concern about a lack of international support of Iraqi
democracy, except from the U.S. He had not decided on a date
or venue for the International Compact for Iraq (ICI) or
Expanded Neighbors Ministerial. The Ambassador stressed the
importance of holding these conferences soon, and U.S.
commitment to ensuring they produced positive results. He
said he remained optimistic about Iraq's future and looked
forward to working with PM Maliki and his government during
his tenure in Baghdad. End Summary.

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Ambassador to PM: The U.S. Supports You
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2. (S) The Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, initiated the
meeting with Prime Minister Maliki by expressing full U.S.
support for the PM, beginning with President Bush. The
Ambassador noted that before he left Washington, President
Bush was with Maliki completely. PM Maliki expressed
appreciation for the kind remarks, adding that he wished
President Bush success for himself and for the future of
Iraq. The Ambassador and PM agreed that Iraq faces many
challenges, but that we must continue jointly to address
these challenges. The Ambassador recognized recent positive
developments, including progress toward passing laws on
de-Ba'athification, investment, hydrocarbons, and the
Independent High Electoral Commission. At the same time, we
must see progress on constitutional review and Provincial
Council elections, which should be carried out in a manner
that restores faith in the political process.


3. (S) PM Maliki emphasized that Iraq had no intention of
retreating on the democratic developments of the past four
years. Maliki noted that the creation of the National Unity
Government led to the imposition of some ministers who may
not be well-placed, although a project was underway to change
some ministers. He lamented that each sectarian or ethnic
group has its own set of issues of concern, coupled with
lingering distrust and some fears of marginalization.
Turning back on Iraq's democratic experiment, however, would
lead to a lack of control over the course of events and
Iraq's political direction. The Ambassador agreed with
Maliki's assessment that President Bush also shared this
view.


4. (S) The Ambassador stated that he had come with a great
sense of optimism about Iraq's future. The Iraqi people,
even the Sunni, remember the difficulties and persecution of
the Saddam era. The Ambassador reiterated to Maliki, "You
have our complete support."

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PM Maliki: "Iraq Needs Supportive International Atmosphere"
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5. (S) Turning to Iraq's regional relations, the Ambassador
noted the success of the Neighbors' Conference hosted in
Baghdad in March, and the planned Ministerial-level Expanded
Neighbors' conference had the potential to strengthen
regional and international support of efforts underway in
Iraq. Maliki advocated that the International Compact for
Iraq (ICI) meeting come first, referencing earlier
conversations he had with Ambassador Khalilzad on the issue.
He stressed the importance of guarantees from the
international community, which were included in the ICI.


6. (S) Maliki then went further to say that first and
foremost Iraq needed a "supportive international atmosphere,"
and neither Iraq's neighbors nor many of the P-5 truly
supported the GOI. He expressed suspicions in particular of
French and Russian motives, as well as what he called Arab
League notions of "international guardianship." Maliki said
he had told Secretary Rice that Iraq is afraid that others in
the international community seek to undermine Iraqi democracy
-- "we do not find any supporters except for President Bush."
Only Iran, Syria, and the U.S. truly want the Neighbors
Conference; the positions of other states, including Egypt
and Turkey, "are not clear."

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Possible Venues for ICI and Neighbors' Conference
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7. (S) With regard to the venue for the Neighbors' Conference
Ministerial, Maliki said some regional states want it to take
place in Iraq, others outside. The Ambassador noted that

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Saudi Arabia, Cairo, and Istanbul were mentioned most
frequently. Maliki responded Saudi King Abdullah's statement
at the Arab League summit calling the efforts in Iraq
"illegal occupation" complicated discussion on the issue. A
location in the Kurdistan region might be complicated because
the Kurds could use it to push their position on Kirkuk.
Maliki said the issue of a location needed to be discussed
calmly and the conference held in a way that produced
positive results.


8. (S) The Ambassador agreed that we need to ensure positive
results and that it remained in both our interest to hold
both the ICI and Expanded Neighbors Conference soon, perhaps
on successive days. The Turks were particularly interested in
hosting. The U.S. was prepared to exert effort to guarantee
successful, positive results. Maliki said he was considering
a trip to countries he was most worried about. The
Ambassador closed the discussion by reaffirming his
commitment to Iraq and to helping Iraqis achieve the
difficult task of reconciliation. He said he remained
optimistic about Iraq's future and our common efforts to
bring down violence and strengthen Iraqi institutions.
CROCKER