INTERNATIONAL COMPACT FOR IRAQ/EXPANDED NEIGHBORS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001189

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL COMPACT FOR IRAQ/EXPANDED NEIGHBORS
MEETINGS: IRAQ REACHES AGREEMENT THAT EGYPT WILL HOST BOTH
EVENTS

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


1. (C) Summary: Following the Ambassador's intervention
with Prime Minister Maliki late afternoon April 4, the Iraqis
quickly finalized their internal agreement to pursue
back-to-back conferences for the International Compact for
Iraq (ICI) and Expanded Neighbors meeting, preferably in
Egypt. Subsequently, Foreign Minister Zebari obtained
Egyptian agreement to host these events during an April 4
conversation with his counterpart Egyptian FM Ahmed Aboul
Gheit. The Prime Minister's Chief of Staff told the DCM
April 5 that Prime Minister Maliki had also spoken to the
Egyptian Prime Minister and that they agreed that the ICI
would be May 2, followed by the Expanded Neighbors Conference
on May 3. (Note: Zebari told A/DCM April 6 that he and Aboul
Gheit have since agreed on May 3-4.) Zebari also stated on
April 6 that he and Aboul Gheit agreed to a joint
announcement of the conferences on April 7; he said he would
seek to include a reference to a possible follow on in
Turkey. The Egyptians also reportedly welcomed a visit from
Prime Minister Maliki to Egypt before the conference.


2. (C) Summary continued: Between April 4-6, Zebari has
spoken with the Turks, the Iranians, the Syrians, and the
Egyptians (several times). The Turks were upset, and Zebari
would appreciate U.S. help with them. The Iranian FM needed
to consult with his government before providing a substantive
response on the arrangements. The Syrians said they had
pledged their support to the Turks. In related conversations
with the DCM, the Prime Minister's office also stated that
they would welcome the U.S. sending an envoy to regional
capitals in advance of the conferences to assure that the
outcome of the events meets Iraqi needs. The Prime Minister
explained to the Ambassador his deep concerns that some
regional parties will attempt to use the conference to
interfere in internal Iraqi affairs or to "impose a
solution." The Ambassador re-pledged to Maliki full U.S.
support to assure a positive outcome, including agreement in
advance of the conference on the elements of a communique.
End Summary.

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Ambassador's Meeting with the Prime Minister
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4. (C) The Ambassador called on Prime Minister Maliki April
4 to persuade him of the need to take a prompt decision on
scheduling the ICI and Expanded Neighbors Conference,
back-to-back, in one regional location, preferably in April.
Maliki seemed prepared for the topic to be raised. He
expressed his thanks to the Ambassador for President Bush's
evident concern and support during the recent VTC. He said
he wanted the conferences to be successful and he understood
that they were important not only to Iraq but also to the
United States. He expressed surprise that Kuwait was not
willing to host both events, but he was prepared to re-raise
the issue with the Political Council for National Security
(PCNS) that was meeting again later that day. He said he
would prefer to delay a decision until his return from his
upcoming Asia trip (Japan and Korean) and perhaps after his
planned regional travel to Egypt, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia
(no dates mentioned). Perhaps the two meetings could be held
separately and be delayed somewhat allowing the Iraqis to
visit most capitals in advance of the meeting. He
acknowledged regional problems, particularly being in a
"negative position" vis-a-vis the Saudis. He also expressed
concern again about some states using the conference to
"surprise" Iraq with participation by opposition elements,
and possible repercussions if the Sunni coalition, Tawafuq,
should withdraw from the National Unity Government before the
conferences. He sought the Ambassador's views.


5. (C) The Ambassador acknowledged the complexity of the
regional situation, but stressed that the Secretary and he
both strongly believed that the best outcome would derive
from holding the two events together, in a regional capital.
The ICI obviously held special importance due to the Iraq-UN
partnership and its focus on the economy. The Expanded
Neighbors Conference could reinforce the ICI as well as allow
better engagement with Iraq's neighbors on a number of
issues. The Prime Minister pondered whether or not the
Saudis would participate. Stating that the money issues were
not important to Iraq, he nevertheless commented about Saudi
demand for interest on interest-free loans to Saddam that did
not even benefit the Iraqi people. Maliki said that improved
political and security support from his neighbors was his
highest priority for the conferences. He then repeated at
length his need for guarantees prior to the conferences that
the outcomes will support the Iraqi political process with no
surprises or "explosions." He said the Russian position was
not always helpful, the French were getting better. He

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identified Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia as
countries of greatest concern to him. If they support Iraq,
he was not concerned about the rest. The Ambassador told the
Prime Minister that the U.S. was fully ready to help on
guarantees and serve as an intermediary wherever such a role
would help. He stated that the U.S. goals for the
conferences were 100% consistent with the goals the Prime
Minister had articulated. But he urged a quick decision.
The Prime Minister said he would be traveling April 7-16 to
Asia, and then again when returned. He undertook to raise
the issue with the PCNS that evening and get the Ambassador a
response quickly.

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Getting the Egyptians to Host
--------------


6. (C) The DCM learned later the evening of the 4th that
the PCNS had approved holding the meetings back to back, the
ICI first, followed by the Expanded Neighbors Conference.
Cairo was the first choice, but if the Egyptians could not do
it, then Istanbul would be acceptable to the Iraqis. Later
still, Foreign Minister Zebari reported that he had spoken to
his counterpart FM Aboul Gheit and that the Egyptians had
agreed to do both between May 2-4 and they would welcome a
visit from PM Maliki before the conference. On the morning
of April 5, Maliki's Chief of Staff told the DCM that Maliki
had spoken to the Egyptian Prime Minister to confirm details.
They had agreed on May 2-3, later revised to May 3-4. The
Prime Minister's office also stated that the Iraqis would
welcome having a U.S. envoy visit regional capitals in
advance of the meeting to assure the meetings are prepared in
a manner that will support Iraqi goals. Zebari reported as
well that he and the Egyptian FM had agreed that no public
announcement would be made until consultations with other
regional capitals had been completed.

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Consultations Beginning
--------------


7. (C) Zebari spoke with FM Gul April 5 and reported to the
DCM that Gul was "really upset" and asked if the Iraqi
decision reflected a lack of trust in the Turks. Zebari
assured him that Iraq's decision stemmed from understandings
reached at previous meetings of the neighbors in Tehran and
New York that favored an Egyptian venue. Zebari said he
would welcome U.S. efforts to assuage the Turks. Zebari also
spoke to the Iranians, the Syrians, and to the Egyptians
again. He said he congratulated Mottaki on the return of the
Iranian diplomat who had been kidnapped in Iraq as well as
their wise handling of the British release. Zebari explained
the planned arrangements for the conferences and urged
Iranian active participation. Mottaki said he would have to
consult his government before providing a response. In an
April 6 phone call to the Syrians, they Syrians said they had
already heard from the Turks who were very upset, putting the
Syrians in a difficult position since they had pledged their
support to holding the conference in Turkey. Zebari told
A/DCM that he would see if he could note in the announcement
that a follow on event could be held in Turkey.


8. (C) At one point, Aboul Gheit told Zebari that the
Egyptians wanted the Expanded Neighbors Conference to precede
the I.C.I. (exactly opposite Maliki's stated position) and
that they would not fund the costs of the ICI. However,
Zebari said that by April 6, Aboul Gheit agreed that the ICI.
would be the first event.

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Action Requests
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9. (C) We recommend that S/I include several stops in
advance of the conference, to at least include: Moscow,
Cairo, Istanbul, and Riyadh. Mission will work with FM
Zebari to propose inviting additional participants to the
Expanded Neighbors conference, to include the EU, Australia,
Korea, and Poland.
CROCKER