BERLIN SEEKS PERMANENT PRESENCE IN IRBIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003324 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ SUBJECT: BERLIN SEEKS PERMANENT PRESENCE IN IRBIL Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Summary: In an October 1 meeting with the Ambassador, German Ambassador Dr. Hanns-Heinrich Schumacher revealed a plan to establish a permanent presence in Irbil, and relayed Kurdish frustration with the detention of the latest Iranian. Schumacher also asked "what does the U.S. expect Germany to do in Iraq?" Ambassador Crocker suggested expanded international engagement, including greater support for the International Compact for Iraq (ICI) and support for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq's (UNAMI) expanded mandate. The German Ambassador also expressed a concern with the Government of Iraq's (GOI) support for the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC). End Summary. -------------- KRG Presence -------------- ¶2. (C) Germany will seek to establish a permanent presence in Irbil, stated Ambassador Schumacher. He said that it had been a mistake for them to maintain an honorary consul and they needed a more robust presence. "I have submitted my recommendation to Berlin," he stated, "to dispatch my Deputy Chief of Mission to Irbil to do a thorough report." One possibility, he explained, would be to establish a joint diplomatic presence with the British or the French. Ambassador Schumacher explained that already in four or five countries the German diplomatic service has common offices with the French, the British, or both. The Ambassador admitted that this was an intriguing idea that could work well in Iraq. -------------- Iranians -------------- ¶3. (C) "The Kurds in Berlin have expressed dismay over the arrest of this last Iranian," said Ambassador Schumacher. "They complain that there is no evidence to support the charges," he continued. The Ambassador assured Ambassador Schumacher that the coalition had shared evidence with President Talabani and that since then Talabani has not made any public statements about the case. -------------- UNAMI Support -------------- ¶4. (C) Ambassador Schumacher expressed skepticism about an expanded UNAMI engagement. He asked whether we could realistically expect a greater UNAMI role if they remain restricted to the International Zone. He also asserted that the turnover of top UNAMI leadership will delay initiatives. The Ambassador pointed out that UNAMI is restricted to the International Zone only if they choose to be, and that new Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Staffan De Mistura had successful crisis management experience in Lebanon. The Ambassador also stated that De Mistura will emphasize residency for himself and his staff in Baghdad, which will improve UNAMI effectiveness with the GOI. -------------- International Committee for the Red Cross -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador Schumacher closed by asserting that the GOI is refusing to conclude a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the ICRC, which is blocking the ICRC's entry to Iraq. The Ambassador said he would look into it and if true, would raise the issue with the Prime Minister. (Note: UNAMI Chief Human Rights Officer Hania Mufti told poloff on October 2 that negotiations of the MOU between the GOI and the ICRC were going well and were on track. Her sense was that the GOI was supportive of the ICRC and that it was the ICRC who was not rushing the MOU, because they had not yet resolved how to handle security on the ground. End Note.) CROCKER