Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD1438
2007-04-28 18:58:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
how-toVZCZCXRO0274 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1438 1181858 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 281858Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0943 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001438
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: FM READOUT OF TRIP TO IRAN, TURKEY
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001438
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: FM READOUT OF TRIP TO IRAN, TURKEY
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Summary. In an April 27 meeting with the Ambassador
and PolCouns, FM Zebari described his April 25-26 meetings in
Tehran as producing "good, constructive results," and
expressed confidence that Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki
will attend the Sharm el-Sheikh conference. Zebari stated he
had equally productive meetings in Turkey on April 26
resulting in Turkey's decision to send a Minister to lead
their delegation since FM Gul will be unavailable. As for
Syria, Zebari maintained they will send a ministerial-level
representative now that Turkey has decided to do so. End
Summary
-------------- --------------
IRAN: NON-COMMITTAL, BUT ZEBARI CONFIDENT MOTTAKI WILL ATTEND
-------------- --------------
2. (S) While in Iran, Zebari met with a number of people,
including President Ahmadinejad. Zebari said Ahmadinejad
pledged Iran's support to the GOI while remaining
non-committal as to who would lead Iran's delegation at the
Sharm el-Sheik conference. Ahmadinejad told Zebari that "we
are going to help you to the extent we are prepared to talk
to our enemies for the sake of Iraq." In separate meetings,
Iranian FM Mottaki raised Iranian concerns and lingering
questions about the conference, including confusion as to why
the conference venue changed from Turkey to Egypt and
uncertainty about the desired outcomes. While noting that
Iran's National Security Council will determine on April 28
whether Iran will participate at the conference, who will
represent it, and whether it should pursue bi-lateral
meetings with other attendees, Mottaki stated that Zebari's
visit will help Iran decide about its level of participation.
3. (S) Mottaki argued, however, that it will be difficult for
Iran to send a high-level representative due to the continued
detention of five Iranians arrested in a January 11 raid by
MNF-I. Zebari cautioned against linking Iranian
participation at the conference with the status of the
detainees' cases. Zebari reiterated the GOI's desire for
Iranian support and requested again that Iran send a
ministerial-level representative to lead its delegation.
4. (S) According to Zebari, Mottaki then asked "what does the
US want from Iran?" Zebari responded that it is not only
what the US wants, but also what the GOI needs: an end to
Iran's "meddling" in Iraqi affairs, including transporting
arms and supporting militias; a concerted effort by Iran to
channel its support to the GOI instead of individuals and
organizations; and an end to the "harassment" of Coalition
Forces (CF). Mottaki then noted, according to Zebari, that
perceptions that Iran wants a quick withdrawal of CF are
erroneous; Iran feels, Zebari said, that a quick departure
would "lead to chaos" in the region. Despite the lack of a
definitive response as to who will represent Iran in Sharm,
Zebari told the Ambassador that he is confident Mottaki will
attend.
-------------- --------------
TURKEY TO SEND A MINISTER TO LEAD DELEGATION; GUL RAISES PKK
-------------- --------------
5. (S) Following his trip to Iran, Zebari visited briefly
with Turkish FM Gul on April 26. He characterized this
meeting as equally positive. While Gul is unable to attend
the conference, Zebari obtained Turkish assurances that a
Minister will lead the delegation. Zebari asked Gul to speak
with the Syrian FM about this decision and persuade the
Syrians to send a Minister as well. Zebari was convinced
that Syria will follow Turkey's lead and send a Minister,
particularly since he had spoken to his Syrian counterpart
who was ready to attend pending Turkish decisions. On PKK
issues, Zebari said he tried to soothe Turkish concerns about
Barzani's statements, but he also cited Turkey's slow
response to requests for trilateral discussions. Gul agreed
but commented that it is difficult for Turkey to move forward
given various inflammatory statements coming from Kurdish
leaders. Zebari told the Ambassador that while these
statements must be tempered, Turkey needs to more actively
engage Kurdish leadership.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: FM READOUT OF TRIP TO IRAN, TURKEY
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Summary. In an April 27 meeting with the Ambassador
and PolCouns, FM Zebari described his April 25-26 meetings in
Tehran as producing "good, constructive results," and
expressed confidence that Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki
will attend the Sharm el-Sheikh conference. Zebari stated he
had equally productive meetings in Turkey on April 26
resulting in Turkey's decision to send a Minister to lead
their delegation since FM Gul will be unavailable. As for
Syria, Zebari maintained they will send a ministerial-level
representative now that Turkey has decided to do so. End
Summary
-------------- --------------
IRAN: NON-COMMITTAL, BUT ZEBARI CONFIDENT MOTTAKI WILL ATTEND
-------------- --------------
2. (S) While in Iran, Zebari met with a number of people,
including President Ahmadinejad. Zebari said Ahmadinejad
pledged Iran's support to the GOI while remaining
non-committal as to who would lead Iran's delegation at the
Sharm el-Sheik conference. Ahmadinejad told Zebari that "we
are going to help you to the extent we are prepared to talk
to our enemies for the sake of Iraq." In separate meetings,
Iranian FM Mottaki raised Iranian concerns and lingering
questions about the conference, including confusion as to why
the conference venue changed from Turkey to Egypt and
uncertainty about the desired outcomes. While noting that
Iran's National Security Council will determine on April 28
whether Iran will participate at the conference, who will
represent it, and whether it should pursue bi-lateral
meetings with other attendees, Mottaki stated that Zebari's
visit will help Iran decide about its level of participation.
3. (S) Mottaki argued, however, that it will be difficult for
Iran to send a high-level representative due to the continued
detention of five Iranians arrested in a January 11 raid by
MNF-I. Zebari cautioned against linking Iranian
participation at the conference with the status of the
detainees' cases. Zebari reiterated the GOI's desire for
Iranian support and requested again that Iran send a
ministerial-level representative to lead its delegation.
4. (S) According to Zebari, Mottaki then asked "what does the
US want from Iran?" Zebari responded that it is not only
what the US wants, but also what the GOI needs: an end to
Iran's "meddling" in Iraqi affairs, including transporting
arms and supporting militias; a concerted effort by Iran to
channel its support to the GOI instead of individuals and
organizations; and an end to the "harassment" of Coalition
Forces (CF). Mottaki then noted, according to Zebari, that
perceptions that Iran wants a quick withdrawal of CF are
erroneous; Iran feels, Zebari said, that a quick departure
would "lead to chaos" in the region. Despite the lack of a
definitive response as to who will represent Iran in Sharm,
Zebari told the Ambassador that he is confident Mottaki will
attend.
-------------- --------------
TURKEY TO SEND A MINISTER TO LEAD DELEGATION; GUL RAISES PKK
-------------- --------------
5. (S) Following his trip to Iran, Zebari visited briefly
with Turkish FM Gul on April 26. He characterized this
meeting as equally positive. While Gul is unable to attend
the conference, Zebari obtained Turkish assurances that a
Minister will lead the delegation. Zebari asked Gul to speak
with the Syrian FM about this decision and persuade the
Syrians to send a Minister as well. Zebari was convinced
that Syria will follow Turkey's lead and send a Minister,
particularly since he had spoken to his Syrian counterpart
who was ready to attend pending Turkish decisions. On PKK
issues, Zebari said he tried to soothe Turkish concerns about
Barzani's statements, but he also cited Turkey's slow
response to requests for trilateral discussions. Gul agreed
but commented that it is difficult for Turkey to move forward
given various inflammatory statements coming from Kurdish
leaders. Zebari told the Ambassador that while these
statements must be tempered, Turkey needs to more actively
engage Kurdish leadership.
CROCKER