AMBASSADOR CROCKER'S MEETING WITH SRSG QAZI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002572 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2017 TAGS: IZ PGOV PREL SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CROCKER'S MEETING WITH SRSG QAZI Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In a July 31 meeting with the Ambassador, Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Ashraf Qazi stated that United Nations headquarters in New York has directed him to explore possibilities for a United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) role in resolving Article 140 and the status of Kirkuk. "We can bring a comparative advantage to this process," Qazi noted. He asserted that the constitutionally required referendum was no longer possible in 2007, since none of the necessary prerequisites had been satisfied, and that now the only option remaining is to delay the referendum beyond 2007. Both the Ambassador and the SRSG agreed that the next steps depended on the appointment of a new Chairman of the Article 140 Committee, a post which has been vacant since March. (Note: Post learned August 1 that the Council of Ministers has appointed Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Rahid Fahmi as Chairman of the Article 140 Committee. End Note.) ¶2. (C) Qazi requested an update on the Iranian talks. The Ambassador explained that the Iranians have yet to demonstrate positive contributions to security, but instead prefer to promote the appearance of being an equal partner in Iraq's future. When Qazi asked about next steps, the Ambassador responded that we have proposed a security subcommittee, which would give the Iranians the opportunity to contribute to improving the security situation. ¶3. (C) Turning to benchmarks and reconciliation, Qazi asserted that the U.S. should not put too much faith in benchmarks, and he noted that all the benchmarks of UN Security Council Resolution 1546 have been met with no impact on either the political process or security. "It is not if the benchmarks are met, but rather how they are met," said Qazi. CROCKER