Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD238
2007-01-22 17:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
VP MEHDI'S WHITE PAPER ON POLITICAL PORTFOLIO OF
how-toVZCZCXRO4701 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #0238/01 0221706 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221706Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9219 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHWSR/WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000238
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: VP MEHDI'S WHITE PAPER ON POLITICAL PORTFOLIO OF
THE BAGHDAD SECURITY PLAN
Classified By: Ambassador Khalilzad for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000238
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: VP MEHDI'S WHITE PAPER ON POLITICAL PORTFOLIO OF
THE BAGHDAD SECURITY PLAN
Classified By: Ambassador Khalilzad for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: In meetings January 18 with Political
Counselor and January 19 with the Ambassador, Vice President
Abdul Mehdi (Shia) discussed a white paper he drafted for the
political portfolio portion of the new Baghdad security plan
(BSP). (Embassy e-mailed a copy to the Department on January
20.) He denied sponsoring fast track diplomatic visas for
Iranians, and doubted he would cancel his plans to attend the
Davos summit on January 27. End Summary.
--------------
VP MEHDI PREFERS NOT TO HAVE THIS PORTFOLIO
--------------
2. (C) VP Mehdi expressed reservations about having been
assigned the political portfolio of the new BSP. He feels it
is a very ambiguous assignment, without much detail. He
outlined that first he needs to understand the goals and
targets for the political portfolio, and then he needs to
assemble a team. "I would have preferred this mission go to
a Sunni," he complained to PolCounselor, "so it will be seen
as a multi-ethnic effort." He wondered if he got it because
"maybe (Sunni) VP Hashimi can't work with Prime Minister
Maliki." Later, he observed that "I am embarrassed to
include my mission as Vice President with this mission."
--------------
MEHDI'S A WHITE PAPER
--------------
3. (C) VP Mehdi revealed that he had prepared a white paper
outlining the scope and responsibilities of this political
portfolio. He gave PolCounselor a copy and asked for our
feedback. "This is the way I see the framework, and now I
need to see what the PM thinks according to his role as the
PM and Commander-in-Chief." The portfolios for security and
services are well defined, but not when it comes to political
issues.
4. (C) PolCounselor agreed with VP Mehdi that security and
services portfolios are Baghdad-centric, but that the
political portfolio is much broader, and national in scope.
PolCounselor pointed out that this was really an opportunity.
"You should look at this as a continuation of your efforts
on the moderate front," she said. When asked about timing,
VP Mehdi said the plan would begin at the end of the month.
--------------
FEEDBACK ON THE WHITE PAPER
--------------
5. (C) The next day, after reviewing the white paper, the
Ambassador gave constructive feedback on the plan and
encouraged Mehdi, saying it was a good paper. One missing
item, noted the Ambassador, was the issue of militias.
Addressing this issue would require a political agreement and
therefore should be part of this portfolio. VP Mehdi agreed
to address "the undisciplined non-state organized
non-terrorist organizations."
6. (C) The Ambassador suggested that maybe we should invite
all the leaders of the moderate front to a launch meeting,
and we could announce that these leaders are all together on
working together in solving a specified set of issues with
timelines.
7. (C) The Ambassador noted that some of the things in the
white paper properly belonged to others, such as comments on
electricity and services.
8. (C) The Ambassador asked Mehdi about a provision he had
inserted allowing himself to resign his portfolio
responsibilities without notice and without stating a reason.
Mehdi explained that he wanted to "protect himself" but he
would not elaborate further.
9. (C) The Ambassador drew attention to the provision
establishing control over the media. VP Mehdi said he was
only trying to put rules around the media, and said there are
rules in all states providing a framework around freedom of
the press. The Ambassador suggested he use language
"acknowledging the freedom of the press," or "without
interfering with the constitutional rights of freedom of the
press." Mehdi said he would consider that.
--------------
TRAVEL PLANS AT THE END OF JANUARY
--------------
BAGHDAD 00000238 002 OF 002
10. (C) The Ambassador pressed VP Mehdi on skipping Davos.
VP Mehdi remained uncommitted, saying only that he would do
what he could.
--------------
IRAN
--------------
11. (C) VP Mehdi said he had a recent meeting with the
Iranian ambassador, who asked for the release of Iranian
detainees held by MNF-I. The Ambassador said that the
Iranians were claiming that Mehdi was one of several people
who had written letters to the Iraqi Embassy and consulates
in Iran requesting fast track visas for Iranians. Mehdi
insisted his letters were for pilgrims, not diplomats. The
Ambassador told Mehdi that the MFA should implement much
tighter restrictions on Iranian diplomats.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: VP MEHDI'S WHITE PAPER ON POLITICAL PORTFOLIO OF
THE BAGHDAD SECURITY PLAN
Classified By: Ambassador Khalilzad for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: In meetings January 18 with Political
Counselor and January 19 with the Ambassador, Vice President
Abdul Mehdi (Shia) discussed a white paper he drafted for the
political portfolio portion of the new Baghdad security plan
(BSP). (Embassy e-mailed a copy to the Department on January
20.) He denied sponsoring fast track diplomatic visas for
Iranians, and doubted he would cancel his plans to attend the
Davos summit on January 27. End Summary.
--------------
VP MEHDI PREFERS NOT TO HAVE THIS PORTFOLIO
--------------
2. (C) VP Mehdi expressed reservations about having been
assigned the political portfolio of the new BSP. He feels it
is a very ambiguous assignment, without much detail. He
outlined that first he needs to understand the goals and
targets for the political portfolio, and then he needs to
assemble a team. "I would have preferred this mission go to
a Sunni," he complained to PolCounselor, "so it will be seen
as a multi-ethnic effort." He wondered if he got it because
"maybe (Sunni) VP Hashimi can't work with Prime Minister
Maliki." Later, he observed that "I am embarrassed to
include my mission as Vice President with this mission."
--------------
MEHDI'S A WHITE PAPER
--------------
3. (C) VP Mehdi revealed that he had prepared a white paper
outlining the scope and responsibilities of this political
portfolio. He gave PolCounselor a copy and asked for our
feedback. "This is the way I see the framework, and now I
need to see what the PM thinks according to his role as the
PM and Commander-in-Chief." The portfolios for security and
services are well defined, but not when it comes to political
issues.
4. (C) PolCounselor agreed with VP Mehdi that security and
services portfolios are Baghdad-centric, but that the
political portfolio is much broader, and national in scope.
PolCounselor pointed out that this was really an opportunity.
"You should look at this as a continuation of your efforts
on the moderate front," she said. When asked about timing,
VP Mehdi said the plan would begin at the end of the month.
--------------
FEEDBACK ON THE WHITE PAPER
--------------
5. (C) The next day, after reviewing the white paper, the
Ambassador gave constructive feedback on the plan and
encouraged Mehdi, saying it was a good paper. One missing
item, noted the Ambassador, was the issue of militias.
Addressing this issue would require a political agreement and
therefore should be part of this portfolio. VP Mehdi agreed
to address "the undisciplined non-state organized
non-terrorist organizations."
6. (C) The Ambassador suggested that maybe we should invite
all the leaders of the moderate front to a launch meeting,
and we could announce that these leaders are all together on
working together in solving a specified set of issues with
timelines.
7. (C) The Ambassador noted that some of the things in the
white paper properly belonged to others, such as comments on
electricity and services.
8. (C) The Ambassador asked Mehdi about a provision he had
inserted allowing himself to resign his portfolio
responsibilities without notice and without stating a reason.
Mehdi explained that he wanted to "protect himself" but he
would not elaborate further.
9. (C) The Ambassador drew attention to the provision
establishing control over the media. VP Mehdi said he was
only trying to put rules around the media, and said there are
rules in all states providing a framework around freedom of
the press. The Ambassador suggested he use language
"acknowledging the freedom of the press," or "without
interfering with the constitutional rights of freedom of the
press." Mehdi said he would consider that.
--------------
TRAVEL PLANS AT THE END OF JANUARY
--------------
BAGHDAD 00000238 002 OF 002
10. (C) The Ambassador pressed VP Mehdi on skipping Davos.
VP Mehdi remained uncommitted, saying only that he would do
what he could.
--------------
IRAN
--------------
11. (C) VP Mehdi said he had a recent meeting with the
Iranian ambassador, who asked for the release of Iranian
detainees held by MNF-I. The Ambassador said that the
Iranians were claiming that Mehdi was one of several people
who had written letters to the Iraqi Embassy and consulates
in Iran requesting fast track visas for Iranians. Mehdi
insisted his letters were for pilgrims, not diplomats. The
Ambassador told Mehdi that the MFA should implement much
tighter restrictions on Iranian diplomats.
KHALILZAD