DCM URGES VP ABDEL MEHDI NOT TO EXCLUDE SUNNIS AND

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001933

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2017
TAGS: IZ PGOV PINS PREL
SUBJECT: DCM URGES VP ABDEL MEHDI NOT TO EXCLUDE SUNNIS AND
TO ADVANCE HYDROCARBON LAW

REF: BAGHDAD 1896

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Speckhard for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (S) In a June 10 meeting, the DCM urged Vice President
Adel Abdel Mehdi not to exclude Sunni moderates from any
efforts to re-energize the Iraqi government in the wake of
Shi'a and Kurdish concerns over the "Cairo declaration"
(reftel). Abdel Mehdi assured the DCM that there was no
intention to exclude the Sunnis, specifically the Iraqi
Islamic Party (IIP). He said that Supreme Iraqi Islamic
Council (ISCI) and Dawa had met to coordinate their position
within the Shi'a coalition but had not yet met with the
Kurdish parties. Abdel Mehdi speculated that perhaps the
"Cairo declaration" would prove a useful jolt to the
political process in Iraq. He believed that it prompted the
political leadership to recognize the need to radically
improve the performance of the government. He said the US
should not worry that the Sunnis will be excluded because
"the IIP would make the right choice" despite signing the
declaration; even Najaf understood the need for a coalition
like the moderate front that included Sunni, Shi'a, and
Kurdish parties.


2. (C) The DCM also pressed Abdel Mehdi on the hydrocarbons
law, urging quick agreement on the law so that it could be
forwarded to the Council of Representatives to preserve
momentum. Abdel Mehdi said that there was agreement on the
outstanding issues but that he had not yet heard back from
the Kurds on the GOI's latest proposed language on dealing
with surplus revenue. "We will do it," he assured the DCM.

CROCKER