ZEBARI BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON MFA STEPS TO FORMALIZE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000257 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ IR SUBJECT: ZEBARI BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON MFA STEPS TO FORMALIZE IRANIAN RELATIONS Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons per 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshayr Zebari told the Ambassador in a meeting on January 18 that he had discussed with the Iranian Ambassador three steps for solving the diplomatic status issue: eliminating liaison offices, reducing and formalizing border entry points, and revamping the visa process. Zebari discussed a potential regional conference in Iraq at the end of February and said he would travel on January 21 to Italy. END SUMMARY. -------------- No More Liaison Offices -------------- ¶2. (C) Zebari said he recalled the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran to work out changes to the Iran policy. He said he gave the Iranian Ambassador a clear message on January 17 on the need to formalize their relationship and review three main issues. He said they agreed to the basics and Iran would send a delegation to Iraq next month for discussions. First, all Iranian liaison offices must be eliminated or transferred to accredited consular status and all personnel must be registered and accredited. He mentioned that the MFA and Iran had agreed to open offices in Mashad and Hewaz in exchange for Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. This request arrived at the MFA on December 24 and was passed on January ninth or tenth to the Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister. -------------- Border Entry Points -------------- ¶3. (C) Second, the Iran and the GOI will formalize and reduce the number of border entry points. He said he has the approval of the PM and the Council of Ministers to designate two border points in the north. They will check both sides of the border in preparation, but will have to wait until the snow melts. Zebari said the actual borderline is undefined and Iran has pressed to define the border using the 1975 Algiers agreement. He thought there was room for them to accept a de facto border. -------------- Visas -------------- ¶4. (C) Third, Zebari told the Ambassador that they had worked on visa issues. Iran receives 1,500 visas per day for religious pilgrims, unlimited business visas as long as the business people have papers proving their business in Iraq, and diplomatic visas. He said the largest problem with diplomatic visas is the Iraqi political parties' offices in Tehran (including PUK, KDP, SCIRI, and Da'wa) that press the Iraqi Embassy to issue diplomatic visas to specific individuals. He said the Embassy in Tehran had received letters from Iraqi President Talabani, Vice-President Mehdi, and the Prime Minister, each contradicting each other on this issue. The MFA has since issued strict instructions to its embassies to follow the rules, and the Prime Minister has agreed to stop pressuring them. Zebari thinks now they have reached an understanding. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador urged the FM to ensure that visa applications are complete and fully reviewed. The Deputy Foreign Minister said they are establishing new conditions to verify these things. Zebari said he has resisted giving his embassies a free hand in visa-issuance - however, it is important that visa applications go through proper channels. He told Iran that when they send people here without informing the MFA he cannot protect them. He said anyone who carries a diplomatic passport should have a note from the ambassador and accept a 5-day period for objections. He offered to pass applicants' names to the U.S. and said all official visits should be approved by the PM. -------------- Force Protection Over Vienna -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador relayed to Zebari the U.S. government, regarding the role played by Quds Force officers who have diplomatic status, cannot accept diplomatically credentialed persons killing U.S. soldiers. He urged that the MFA take tough decisions on the status of those Iranians in Iraq who are members of Pastaran or the MOIS and are involved in BAGHDAD 00000257 002 OF 002 nefarious activities, decisions that may include declaring them persona non grata. Zebari said that his ministry is putting together a list of Iranian diplomats, and he is willing to share the list with the U.S. -------------- Regional Conference, Travel Plans -------------- ¶7. (C) Zebari told the Ambassador the MFA has been working to set up a regional conference in Iraq at the end of February, the actual date of the conference was subject to change. He admitted that some countries might not send their ministers because the Baghdad security plan, and others might prefer to wait until the Arab Ministers' Conference preparatory session March 4 and 5 and the Arab summit on the 28th. Zebari said the ministers should meet before the Arab Ministers' Conference in order to prepare a common vision for presentation, emphasizing that his conference would have the advantage of Iranian and Turkish participation. ¶8. (C) Zebari told the Ambassador he will travel to Italy on January 21 to sign an agreement on Italian support in the civil sector and then go on to Davos. KHALILZAD