MALIKI ON OIL, RECONCILIATION, AND HAMID THE MUTE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002116

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2017
TAGS: IZ MCAP MOPS PGOV PINS PNAT PTER
SUBJECT: MALIKI ON OIL, RECONCILIATION, AND HAMID THE MUTE

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


1. (C/REL MNF-I) SUMMARY: On June 24, Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki told the Ambassador he would do his best to ensure
the framework Hydrocarbon and Oil Revenue management draft
are submitted to the Council of Representatives as a package
in the coming days. Maliki said he was pleased with the work
of the Diyala Support Group but was concerned over the unity
of the Sunni Al Anbar Salvation Front due to its continued
internal conflict and the Iraqi Islamic Party's opposition to
the group. MNF-I Commanding General David Petraeus cautioned
Maliki that CNN was planning to air a story on the
Coalition-held Lebanese detainee "Hamid the Mute" and urged
Maliki to get ahead of CNN with his own public release.
General Petraeus described recent successes in Mosul. Maliki
asked the Ambassador to meet with the Iranians next week.
The Ambassador said he would need to have a clear agenda and
vet the idea with Washington before agreeing to another
meeting. END SUMMARY.



Oil Legislation Almost Ready
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2. (C/REL MNF-I) The Ambassador told Maliki that he was
pleased to learn that an agreement on the draft oil
legislation was close to completion. Maliki believed he
could submit the draft framework Hydrocarbon and Oil Revenue
management laws as a package to the Council of
Representatives in the coming days. He cautioned, however,
of a few obstacles. Maliki said that Kurdish leaders
indicated to him on Saturday that they would need a week to
review the final draft of the framework Hydrocarbon law - but
he had pushed back, asking for a 24-hour turnaround. Maliki
also said that while the Council of Representatives had
agreed to work through July, there was no guarantee a quorum
would be reached during these sessions. Maliki agreed to the
Ambassador and Petraeus's suggestion to hold a press
conference once the oil legislation is delivered to
parliament, as a way to put pressure on the legislators to
pass the laws.

Diyala Support Group
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3. (C/REL MNF-I) Maliki said he continues to be impressed
with the work of the Diyala Support Group, a body he
emphasized as representative of the provincial population.
In a recent meeting with the members, they told Maliki that
4000 of their "sons" were ready to join the local police
service. Maliki said he plans to approve their offer,
incorporate them under the Ministry of Interior, and build 50
police stations to support the new recruits.

Al Anbar Tribes and Greater Reconciliation
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4. (C/REL MNF-I) Maliki said he was encouraged by the Al
Anbar tribes fighting together against AQI, but was concerned
that their unity was at risk due to internal conflict and
political opposition. He was trying to ameliorate the
situation. In his Saturday meeting with one of the major
leaders, the "Prince" of the Dulaimi tribe, Maliki said, he
stressed the importance of the Al Anbar tribes putting their
differences aside, including with Abd al-Satter al Bazi, to
ensure their continued success. Maliki also impressed upon
Dulaimi the importance of the Front working with Governor
Ma'moun and the larger Iraqi Islamic Party. (COMMENT:
According to Maliki, the Al Anbar tribes do not view Ma'moun
as a legitimate leader because he is neither an elected
official nor a tribal leader. They also say he is a "coward"
because he lives under Coalition-protection and not among the
people. We have heard this refrain echoed by other sources
in past. END COMMENT.)


5. (C/REL MNF-I) General Petraeus complimented Maliki on his
efforts to maintain Al Anbar tribal unity, especially as a
strategy to outmaneuver the Sadrists who are trying to win
the Sunnis over to their side. The Ambassador noted that
Maliki's decision to set up a central committee to oversee
the unification of groups to fight Al Qaeda was a good one,
given the complexity of such an endeavor. Maliki responded
that the committee was developed to advance unity among
Iraqis while guarding against "subversive elements." General
Petraeus cautioned that the committee must be able to act
swiftly while vetting groups because the mobilization effort
is gaining traction and "spreading like fire" throughout
Iraq.

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CNN to Cover "Hamid the Mute" Story
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6. (C/REL MNF-I) General Petraeus suggested Maliki, with his
assistance, familiarize himself with the case of the
Coalition-held Lebanese detainee and Hezbollah trainer Hamid
the Mute, and plan to release a public statement on the
subject before the Coalition and CNN goes public with the
story. Petraeus explained that CNN's Michael Ware recently
told him that he knows of Hamid's detention and plans to run
a story on him soon. That being the case, General Petraeus
recommended to Maliki that the GOI and the Coalition beat CNN
to the launch, with GOI in the lead.

Joint Success in Mosul
--------------


7. (C/REL MNF-I) Petraeus described a June 23 operation
conducted by the Coalition based upon Iraqi Army
intelligence. The mission resulted in finding three large
warehouses connected with tunnels that housed six VBIEDs in
various stages of production, significant amounts of
munitions, homemade explosives, and tools for making VBIEDs.
Thirty-two detainees were captured, two of whom were
Syrians. Maliki expressed his gratitude and requested that
Petraeus provide him with evidence of the Syrian involvement
so he could share with the Syrian government.

Iran Ready to Meet Again
--------------


8. (C/REL MNF-I) Maliki said the Iranians would like Iraq to
host another meeting between Iranian and US officials in the
next week. The Ambassador said he would consider another
discussion but needed to know what topics would be covered.
The Ambassador went on to say that the US agenda is simple,
"Iran must stop doing bad things in Iraq." Maliki said that
the Iranian agenda is equally simple, "The US must get out of
Iraq." Maliki offered to develop an agenda, and the
Ambassador said he would review the proposal with Washington.
CROCKER