RRT ERBIL: KRG PM ON RECONCILIATION, DEMOCRACY AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003094

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: RRT ERBIL: KRG PM ON RECONCILIATION, DEMOCRACY AND
RELATIONSHIP WITH U.S.

Classified By: Regional Coordinator Jess Baily for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

This is a Kurdistan Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) cable.

Summary:
--------------


1. (C) Regional Coordinator Jess Baily made an introductory
call on Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister
Nechirvan Barzani August 28. The KRG PM encouraged a more
visible US presence in the Kurdish region. Regarding
cooperation among the various Iraqi factions, he expressed
the opinion that they had not yet made the basic commitment
to live together. Barzani described the relations between
the KDP and PUK as "good," and was non-committal about
continuing as Prime Minister after 2007. He acknowledged
that KRG democracy falls short of the ideal, but said reforms
will come slowly given more-immediate issues facing the
region.

Introductory Comments
--------------


2. (SBU) In his introductory comments to KRG Prime Minister
Nechirvan Barzani, Regional Coordinator Jess Baily emphasized
the increased scope of USG engagement in the Iraqi Kurdistan
Region. A year ago, he recalled, we had only two diplomats
on the ground in Erbil. Now there are 12, supported by local
staff in Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk. The state of the region's
security and basic infrastructure permit the USG to
concentrate heavily on capacity building. Together with the
Kurds, we are working to promote stable and transparent
institutions.


3. (SBU) The KRG Prime Minister commented that a strategic
partnership between the US and Iraq is very important to the
Kurds, as is a visible and lasting USG presence in the
Kurdistan Region. He agreed that capacity building is most
important here. One day, he said, the Kurds would have the
resources to build roads; now they must develop their human
resources and create solid plans for the future.

The U.S. in the KRG
--------------


4. (SBU) Barzani told Baily that the Kurds could have "done
nothing" without US protection since 1991, and that the
"Kurdish Region is the success story of America." Referring
to a perception that the KRG was ignored by the CPA/USG after
the fall of Saddam, he commented that though there were some
"bitter experiences" in the past, he wants to concentrate on
the future. He is pleased that the RRT is in place and wants
to help. The PM concurs in its focus on capacity building,
strengthening human resources, and planning. In particular,
he requests our help with the universities.


5. (C) Barzani commented more than once that the USG should
take a higher profile in the Region. He encouraged the RRT
to highlight our accomplishments more aggressively, and "let
the people know you're here" and value a long-term
relationship. He contrasted the US with other international
actors who publicized their "one-hour ceremonies to donate
two computers," and suggested that we make more use of the
media to highlight accomplishments.

Hydrocarbons/Revenue Sharing/National Agreement
-------------- --


6. (C) Regional Coordinator expressed appreciation for the
role that Kurdish parties played in recent talks in Baghdad.
He asked whether the KRG's recent hydrocarbon law had become
part of the discussion. It had not, he said, and expressed
the opinion that the Council of Representatives could not
pass hydrocarbon legislation at this time because the Sunni
and Shi'a must first "decide if they can live together or
not." They make agreements in private and immediately
contradict them in public, Barzani said, citing the May
revenue sharing agreement as an example. Only after
committing to co-existence will the factions be able to
compromise.

Rotating the KRG Prime Ministership
--------------


7. (C) Referring to the agreement between the KDP and PUK to
swap certain high offices at the end of 2007, Baily asked
whether Barzani would stay on as KRG Prime Minister. Barzani
first commented on his government, which "united" the
administrations of the two major parties although three
ministries have not merged. It is too large, he said, but we
are trying to make it smaller. The outsized cabinet was an

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interim measure to build trust between the KDP and PUK.
Generally things are good between the parties. "Not perfect,
but good." With respect to the rotation agreement, the KDP
is committed to it. If the rotation takes place, it will not
be for the worse, and there will be no major change in the
path of the government. Note: Barzani clearly left the
possibility that he would stay on. (In a conversation the
previous day, KRG Washington Rep. Qubad Talabani indicated
that his father is pleased with Nechirvan as Prime Minister.
The trick was to give the PUK rank and file, still smarting
over migration of ministries to Erbil, something in return.)

The State of Democracy in Kurdistan
--------------


8. (C) Asked to comment on the status of democracy in the
Kurdish Region, Barzani accentuated the positive,
acknowledged deficiencies, and advocated a go slow policy.
"To make it short for you, we have a long way to go," he
said. Democracy here is not perfect or complete.
Nonetheless, our people can express themselves -- look at the
press. As is typical, the youth want to "change everything"
but do not understand the complexities of the situation.
People complain about corruption and a lack of transparency.
On that score, we need help and are determined to make
improvement. But there are bigger issues -- Turkey,
terrorism, etc. -- so we must be careful about democratizing
too quickly.


9. (C) Barzani blamed post-1991 Islamic influences for the
appearance of "honor killings" in the region. He recalled
that one of his first official acts was the closing of a
conservative, Saudi-financed school -- and his refusal to
re-open it despite offers of economic assistance. The
Islamic parties, he said, are being supported by Iran. They
can change overnight from moderate to extreme. If they
obtain a foothold here, they will become "worse."

Comment
--------------


10. (C) "Go slow on democracy" is clearly envisioned in
recent PUK-KDP agreements that promote power sharing. The
security they achieve buys continued legitimacy, and allows
the parties to avoid conflict within the KRG while focusing
on "national" issues such as Article 140. Both major parties
watch the Islamic bloc for signs of increasing popularity.
The present level of concern may best be judged not from
verbal warnings, but from the fact that the KRG continues to
finance them. On relations with the US, it was notable that
Barzani did not complain that the KRG had not received its
share of IRRF funding. That said, he feels the KRG and
region deserve more attention and not just for their role at
a national level.
BUTENIS