IRAQIS DENOUNCE SENSE OF CONGRESS RESOLUTION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003283

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQIS DENOUNCE SENSE OF CONGRESS RESOLUTION ON
FEDERALISM IN IRAQ

Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

Corrected text in para 6


1. (U) Many Iraqi politicians have denounced the U.S.
Senate's adoption on September 26 of a non-binding resolution
calling for an Iraqi political settlement based on
federalism. In comments to journalists two days later, Prime
Minister Maliki termed the resolution a "catastrophe" and
called for a special session of Iraq's Council of
Representatives to discuss the issue. In a September 30
press conference, leaders of the Iraqiya party, Hiwar, the
Tawafuq bloc, and the Sadrist Trend blasted the resolution as
well. Iraqiya CoR member Ezatt Al-Shabender read a statement
saying the Senate resolution came at the very moment when
support for sectarianism was waning as more and more Iraqis
demanded a government based on efficiency, integrity and the
ethics of citizenship. Sadrist CoR bloc leader Nasr
al-Rubai'e called upon the other political parties to agree
not to approve the creation of any new Iraqi region before
the last U.S. soldier departed Iraq. Hiwar leader Salih
Mutlaq said that while his bloc did not necessarily oppose
federalism, the timing was not appropriate.


2. (C) The Iraqi press has been equally critical, with
somewhat misleading headlines decrying "the American decision
to divide Iraq" (Al-Sabah/Al-Zaman). The independent daily
newspaper al-Mada noted on Saturday 29 unanimity between
Iraqis inside and outside of the country against the Senate
resolution. Much of the criticism seems to be based on
ignorance of what the resolution actually says. During a
Sept. 30 iftar hosted by the Ambassador, Deputy Prime
Minister Barham Salih debated the resolution with Minister of
the Interior Jawad Bulani and GOI Spokesman Ali Dabagh --
both of whom admitted that they had not read the resolution,
but were simply reacting to what they had heard about it.
DPM Salih explained that the resolution's language was based
on the Iraqi constitution, made clear that decisions about
Iraq's future were up to Iraqis, and avoided any reference to
sectarian/ethnic divisions. By the end of the discussion,
Bulani and Dabagh remained unconvinced, but Salih seemed to
have made some headway in persuading them that there was
nothing in the resolution they need fear.


3. (U) Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari (like DPM Barham a
Kurd) told CNN that the resolution had "created a backlash,
but needs to be explained more....(it) is in line with what
(the Iraqi Constitution) has called for, to establish a
federal democratic Iraq in the future." Zebari added that
"No Iraqi is for dividing their country or for splitting it
into three weak states, unable to survive."


4. (U) In general, the resolution received a warmer reception
in the Kurdish Region (KRG),where KRG spokesman Khaled Salih
welcomed the resolution and said a federal arrangement for
the Iraqi state was "the only viable solution to the problems
of Iraq." Salih added: "The people of Kurdistan . . . see in
federalism the promise of stability and freedom from
dictatorial regimes."


5. (C) Comment: At a time when few Iraqi politicians appear
keen to take the difficult decisions necessary to effect
genuine reconciliation, the political leadership's negative
(if largely uninformed) reaction to the Senate resolution is
a reminder that most of those same politicians remain firmly
wedded to the notion of a unified Iraqi state. The Embassy's
Sept. 30 statement, which the media has spun as a criticism
of the Senate resolution, will likely reassure many of our
Iraqi interlocutors that the USG is not pushing for Iraq's
dismemberment. At the same time, the Senate resolution may
prove useful in reminding Iraqis that failure to demonstrate
meaningful political progress may renew Congressional calls
for alternative solutions.


6. (U) Text of September 30, 2007 Embassy press release:

In view of the non-binding resolution concerning Iraq passed
by the United States Senate on September 27, the Embassy
wishes to make clear that it remains the firm policy of the
American Administration to support a stable, secure, and
unified Iraq.

Our goal in Iraq remains the same: a unified, democratic,
federal Iraq that can govern, defend, and sustain itself.
Iraq's leaders must and will take the lead in determining how
to achieve these national aspirations.

As we have said in the past, attempts to partition or divide
Iraq by intimidation, force or other means into three
saparate states would produce extraordinary suffering and
bloodshed. The United States has made clear our strong

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opposition to such attempts.

The Iraqi people adopted a constitution in October 2005,
which includes provision for possible expansion of federal
structures in Iraq. Iraqis are now considering ways to
improve that constitution, but partition is not on the table.
The United States fully supports the Iraqis in their efforts
to achieve peace and stability.
CROCKER