INTERNATIONAL COMPACT, UPDATE FROM BAGHDAD

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001475 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON EFIN IZ SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL COMPACT, UPDATE FROM BAGHDAD REF: BAGHDAD 1464 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Against the backdrop of intense diplomacy on the Neighbors' Conference and a difficult political environment, the Government of Iraq (GOI) has done a good job of getting international support for the Compact lined up. Given the relatively short lead time following the decision to launch the Compact on May 3, various parts of the GOI deployed in a generally well-coordinated effort to secure high level attendance and the greatest possible debt relief. They have set the stage for what should be a successful Compact event. Overall, the Compact is a good document and a solid plan for Iraq's future economic course, supporting progress in the political and security tracks. The Iraqis have gradually moved away from selling the Compact to their public as a way to get additional donor commitments to presenting the Compact as an abiding vehicle for international support for Iraq through the continuing difficult transition to a prosperous, pluralistic future. In this cable we underscore the message that should be shared on the importance of the Compact, highlight the recent steps the GOI has taken, and suggest follow-on actions. The goal is for the GOI and the Compact process to build on this encouraging progress of the last few weeks. End Summary. -------------- Significant Step for Iraq -------------- ¶2. (U) The mission of the International Compact with Iraq is to 'build a secure, unified, federal and democratic nation, founded on the principles of freedom and equality, and providing peace and prosperity for its people.' In this document, Iraq has committed to the core economic reforms that will promote an open economy integrated with the regional and international community. This commitment will immediately improve bilateral Iraqi relations with several countries, and lay the groundwork for normalizing its financial relationship with the rest of the world. In signing this document, the international community commits to supporting Iraq as it rebuilds and reforms its economy, by way of debt relief, technical assistance, capacity building training, and high-level representation at the launch on May ¶3. The partnership reflected in the International Compact with Iraq is critically important because it shows that even under tremendously stressful circumstances this year-old government has the ability to commit to an economic framework that will facilitate its political and security goals, with significant regional and international support. -------------- Overview of GOI's Coordinated Outreach -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Over the last week the GOI has made a number of efforts to engage the international community in advance of the launch of the International Compact on May 3 in Sharm el-Sheikh. During the last week, Prime Minister Maliki visited Egypt and Kuwait (King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia declined Maliki's request for a meeting),Central Bank Governor Shabibi and UN Special Representative Gambari visited the UK, Kuwait, Bulgaria and Brussels and Foreign Minister Zebari visited Iran and Turkey. Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih made calls to or met with ambassadors from the EU/EC, Italy, Russia and Turkey, among others. Finance Minister Jabr met with China's ambassador, directed Iraq's ambassador to Russia to engage Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and wrote to Egypt's Minister of Finance. For detailed information on the specific outcomes of this efforts on a country and institutional basis please see reftel. Overall, these efforts have produced good progress securing agreements to send ministerial-level delegations from most of the countries targeted apart from Russia (and Japan, because of a prior commitment to meet with Russia on May 3). Progress lining up specific commitments to debt relief or new concessional lending that can be announced on May 3 has also been made, most notably with Saudi Arabia. Bulgaria, Turkey, and Poland have indicated to DPM Salih that they may be ready to make a contribution. Additionally, an agreement with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development is within reach. Negotiations with Egypt and Russia, however, do not seem close to completion. -------------- Follow-on Recommendations -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Embassy Baghdad suggests that during discussions at Sharm el-Sheikh Principals should emphasize the importance of the International Compact as the foundation for further cooperation between Iraq, its neighbors, and the BAGHDAD 00001475 002 OF 002 international community in promoting stability and economic revitalization. Momentum from the launch should be used to press the UN and other donor countries to increase the UN presence in Baghdad, which will assist the implementation process of the Compact. For European partners of Iraq, part of the Compact implementation will require not only a functioning secretariat but also sufficient UN and World Bank expertise to help the GOI with putting the Compact priorities into practice. Ambassador Crocker has raised this issue with the UN Special Advisor on Iraq Gambari and the UN Ambassador to Iraq Qazi. We request continued engagement with Egypt as the host to press for a lasting contribution to the Compact effort. ¶5. (SBU) We also suggest USG highlight the GOI's outreach efforts on behalf of the Compact with Iraq's regional partners, whose support for the Compact process is needed and which goes beyond debt forgiveness and reparations issues. Getting strong Gulf support for the Compact is an important element in the overall regional outreach strategy. The Compact has been a success story, and that message should not be obscured by any media focus on the Neighbors' conference and Iran's role. -------------- Public and Media Themes -------------- ¶6. (U) The adoption of the Compact resolution is a significant step for the Government of Iraq. The May 3 event represents an important opportunity to highlight this commitment for U.S., Iraqi and international audiences, and serves as a roadmap for future progress. We suggest emphasizing the following themes. - The launching of the International Compact with Iraq represents a major step forward for Iraq and its relations with its neighbors and the world. - The International Compact with Iraq is built on a firm economic foundation, but its mission goes much further - to 'build a secure, unified, federal and democratic nation, founded on the principles of freedom and equality, and providing peace and prosperity for its people.' - Given the tremendous challenges that Iraq has faced, with a government that has only been in power for one year, the Compact is a significant achievement. A united Iraqi front is committing to specific, practical economic objectives that will support its political and security goals. - In this document, Iraq has committed itself to core economic reforms that will promote an open economy integrated with the regional and international community. This commitment will immediately improve bilateral Iraqi relations with a number of countries, and lay the groundwork for normalizing its financial relationship with the rest of the world. - In return, the international community has stated its firm commitment to support Iraq as it rebuilds and reforms its economy, through debt relief, technical assistance, and capacity building training. - High-level participation in this event demonstrates the importance of Iraq for the entire world, and the commitment of their nations to provide serious, sustained support to the Government and citizens of Iraq. CROCKER