Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD2059
2007-06-23 14:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
MFA ON WORKING GROUPS: NEIGHBORS ONLY FOR ISTANBUL
how-toVZCZCXRO4039 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #2059 1741404 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231404Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1835 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002059
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: MFA ON WORKING GROUPS: NEIGHBORS ONLY FOR ISTANBUL
MEETING; NO PROGRESS ON REFUGEE OR SECURITY MEETINGS
REF: BAGHDAD 1894
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002059
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: MFA ON WORKING GROUPS: NEIGHBORS ONLY FOR ISTANBUL
MEETING; NO PROGRESS ON REFUGEE OR SECURITY MEETINGS
REF: BAGHDAD 1894
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) In a June 19 meeting with Political Counselor, the
Deputy Foreign Minister, Labeed Abbawi, confirmed the Energy
Working Group will meet in Istanbul June 28-29. The Arab
League and Iran have confirmed their attendance at the
meeting, he said. Syria has stated that it will not host the
Security working group or attend other working groups until
two Syrian border guards held by the Iraqi Security Forces
(reftel) are released. The GOI completed its investigation
into the two officials, Abbawi said, and decided to continue
with a trial despite "suggestions" from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) that the investigation conclude without
a recommendation the case continue to trial.
2. (C) In a June 23 phone call with PolCouns, Abbawi
reiterated that the GOI prefers the first working group
meetings to include only Neighbors. He stated that on June
21 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) sent a letter to
Turkey emphasizing this point and further commented that the
GOI declined a request from Russia to attend the meeting.
Abbawi did, however, request USG assistance in pressing the
Kuwaitis and the Egyptians to name who will attend the
conference. As for a meeting between the US, Turkey and Iraq
on the sidelines of the Istanbul conference, Abbawi expressed
support during the June 19 meeting, although commented that
it should occur separately from the official working group.
3. (C) When asked about Jordan's lack of a response
concerning the refugee working group, Abbawi said that Iraq's
Ambassador to Jordan received information that Jordanian
security services believe a response will be forthcoming
soon. Abbawi told PolCouns that if Jordan and Syria do not
respond "in the next week or so" than the GOI will ask Egypt
to host the two working groups. PolCouns asked Abbawi if the
GOI has decided how they want to spend the 25 million USD
Iraq pledged to help Iraqi refugees during the April 17
conference in Geneva. PolCouns noted that the United Nations
High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) might be best positioned
to distribute the money especially if it is used for
educating Iraqi children living in Jordan and Syria. Abbawi
responded that while the GOI has not decided exactly how to
use the money, the Prime Minister has stated he "wants to
spend the money, not give it to the UNHCR."
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: MFA ON WORKING GROUPS: NEIGHBORS ONLY FOR ISTANBUL
MEETING; NO PROGRESS ON REFUGEE OR SECURITY MEETINGS
REF: BAGHDAD 1894
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) In a June 19 meeting with Political Counselor, the
Deputy Foreign Minister, Labeed Abbawi, confirmed the Energy
Working Group will meet in Istanbul June 28-29. The Arab
League and Iran have confirmed their attendance at the
meeting, he said. Syria has stated that it will not host the
Security working group or attend other working groups until
two Syrian border guards held by the Iraqi Security Forces
(reftel) are released. The GOI completed its investigation
into the two officials, Abbawi said, and decided to continue
with a trial despite "suggestions" from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) that the investigation conclude without
a recommendation the case continue to trial.
2. (C) In a June 23 phone call with PolCouns, Abbawi
reiterated that the GOI prefers the first working group
meetings to include only Neighbors. He stated that on June
21 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) sent a letter to
Turkey emphasizing this point and further commented that the
GOI declined a request from Russia to attend the meeting.
Abbawi did, however, request USG assistance in pressing the
Kuwaitis and the Egyptians to name who will attend the
conference. As for a meeting between the US, Turkey and Iraq
on the sidelines of the Istanbul conference, Abbawi expressed
support during the June 19 meeting, although commented that
it should occur separately from the official working group.
3. (C) When asked about Jordan's lack of a response
concerning the refugee working group, Abbawi said that Iraq's
Ambassador to Jordan received information that Jordanian
security services believe a response will be forthcoming
soon. Abbawi told PolCouns that if Jordan and Syria do not
respond "in the next week or so" than the GOI will ask Egypt
to host the two working groups. PolCouns asked Abbawi if the
GOI has decided how they want to spend the 25 million USD
Iraq pledged to help Iraqi refugees during the April 17
conference in Geneva. PolCouns noted that the United Nations
High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) might be best positioned
to distribute the money especially if it is used for
educating Iraqi children living in Jordan and Syria. Abbawi
responded that while the GOI has not decided exactly how to
use the money, the Prime Minister has stated he "wants to
spend the money, not give it to the UNHCR."
CROCKER