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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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. BAGHDAD 00002116 002 OF 002 CNN to Cover "Hamid the Mute" Story -------------- ¶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