AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD MEETING WITH NATIONAL

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000295 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2017 TAGS: IZ MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD MEETING WITH NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR RUBAIE Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: During a January 24 meeting, National Security Advisor Rubaie and the Ambassador discussed the Prime Minister's decision not to have Vice President al-Hashimi head the committee to mobilize support for the Baghdad Security Plan (BSP),as well as plans for the first meeting of the Executive Steering Group (ESC) coordinating support for the BSP. They also discussed Grand Ayatollah Sistani's concern that one of his aides was being targeted by the Coalition. END SUMMARY ¶2. (S) In a January 24 meeting, Rubaie said that PM Maliki had decided to withdraw his offer to have VP al-Hashimi head the committee charged with mobilizing public support for the BSP. He provided no explanation for the decision. Both the Ambassador and Rubaie expressed concern about the PM's decision. ¶3. (S) Rubaie also said that his first meeting of the Executive Steering Committee - which was tasked with coordinating the work of the committee created to support the BSP - would take place on Saturday, January 27. He agreed with the Ambassador that the PM should attend. ¶4. (S) Rubaie reported that Grand Ayatollah Sistani had called him to express concern about one of his aides. According to Rubaie, Sistani believed the Coalition was targeting the assistant. KHALILZAD