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

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Summary
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(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.


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Meeting of the Joint Commission Co-Chairs
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(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.

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Conversation with MOI
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(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