MOD SETS DATE FOR FIRST MEETING OF THE JOINT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003307 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017 TAGS: AMGT ASEC PREL APER IZ SUBJECT: MOD SETS DATE FOR FIRST MEETING OF THE JOINT COMMISSION ON PSD ISSUES REF: A. BAGHDAD 03257 ¶B. BAGHDAD 03156 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Patricia A. Butenis for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) CONFIDENTIAL SIPDIS -------------- Summary -------------- (C) 1. On October 1 the Deputy Chief of Mission and the Iraqi Minister of Defense (MOD) met in their capacities as co-chairs of Joint Commission on Personal Security Detail (PSD) issues. The MOD proposed October 7, as the tentative date for the first full Commission meeting. -------------- Meeting of the Joint Commission Co-Chairs -------------- (C) 2. On October 1, 2007 the Deputy Chief of Mission met with Minister of Defense (MOD) Abd al-Qadr Al-Mufriji. The two co-chairs of the Joint Commission on personal security detail issues reviewed the work their legal staffs had done to prepare for the first meeting of the Commission. The MOD proposed that the Commission convene its first meeting on Sunday, October 7. The Minister said that he intended to hold an internal meeting with his Commission staff on October 2nd, and suggested both legal advisors meet again on Wednesday, October 3rd. The DCM presented drafts of an agenda for the first meeting, the terms of reference, and a joint public announcement (note: these terms of reference, as cleared by NEA and L, were discussed in a meeting earlier that day between the Embassy legal advisor and the MOD's legal counsel. Per MOD counsel's request, they have also been shared with the Prime Minister through his Chief of Staff). The MOD asked that no press statements be made until after the Commission officially meets on October 7. The DCM agreed that the Embassy would not make any announcements beyond what has already been said, which is that the USG and the GOI are working together, have formed a Joint Commission, and that we are looking forward to the first meeting of the commission. She also explained that the Embassy and State Department must continue to respond to press inquiries. (C) 4. The MOD confirmed that the initial list of eight Investigative Committee members for the Iraqi Government side is same list for the Joint Commission. The DCM noted the we are considering condolence payments for those killed or injured in the September 16 incident, and that a list of the casualties was needed. The MOD confirmed that his ministry has the names and contact information for the families involved and said that his legal team would share the list at the meeting between the legal advisors on October 3. -------------- Conversation with MOI -------------- (C) 5. In an October 2 telephone call to the Minister of the Interior (MOI),the DCM asked the MOI for clarification on any Iraqi investigations into the September 16 incident. The MOI said that only one investigative team had been designated by the Prime Minister, and that this is the same group that will serve under the MOD on the Joint Commission. The DCM also asked for information about reports that the GOI was considering legislation that would alter the terms of CPA order 17. The MOI said that this is draft legislation that has been in existence since January 2007, and that it has been submitted to the COR Defense and Security Committee for study. The DCM asked if it would be possible to see this legislation, possibly in the context of the Joint Commissions work, to which the MOI agreed. (Comment: This legislation apparently languished in the CoR until the September 16 incident re-energized interest in CPA 17 and immunity issues. It reappeared on the CoR's agenda last week and was referred to the Defense and Security Committee for study. End Comment) CROCKER