UK RELENTS ON BASRAH GOVERNOR; OUTLINES FUTURE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003383 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2017 TAGS: EINV MOPS PGOV PINR PTER UK IZ SUBJECT: UK RELENTS ON BASRAH GOVERNOR; OUTLINES FUTURE TROOP DEPLOYMENT BAGHDAD 00003383 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (S) UK Ambassador Prentice told Ambassador Crocker October 8 that the UK would stop boycotting Basrah Governor Wa,eli following the decision of the local administrative court that Wa,eli could not be removed from office by the Provincial Council. Prentice had informed PM Maliki, who was reportedly not pleased. Prentice previewed the comments PM Gordon Brown would make to Parliament later that day regarding British forces in southeastern Iraq -- 4,500 troops till the end of March 2008, a subsequent reduction to 2,500, subject to conditions on the ground. He also outlined the terms and conditions for the immigration of Iraqi locally engaged staff that PM Brown would mention. The two Ambassadors also touched on Iran as well as British plans to support economic development in Basrah. End Summary. We will have contact with Wa,eli -------------- ¶2. (S) UK Ambassador Christopher Prentice called on Ambassador Crocker to preview the presentation to Parliament regarding British forces in Iraq that British PM Gordon Brown was scheduled to deliver today, October 8. During the course of the conversation, he revealed that HMG was ending its boycott of contact with Basrah Governor Wa,eli. He noted that as the judicial process had confirmed Wa,eli in office, it made no sense to treat him as illegitimate. He had informed PM Maliki of the decision; Maliki was not pleased but indicated he could live with the British decision and even with Wa,eli,s continuation as Governor as long as security remained out of Wa,eli,s hands. ¶3. (S) Welcoming the UK decision, Ambassador Crocker observed that security would remain under the operations center so Wa,eli would not control it. He observed that moving forward with Wa,eli was the practical thing to do, noting that Vice President Adil Abdel Mehdi had said it was time to move on. In response to Ambassador Crocker,s question about next steps by the Provincial Council, Prentice replied that the British Consul General in Basrah had indicated the parties were seeking to arrange deals on who would acquire subordinate positions under Wa,eli -- they appear resigned to his continuous in office. Brown,s Speech and the numbers -------------- ¶4. (S) At the time of the meeting, the text of Gordon Brown,s statement was not yet final -- Prentice promised to share it with Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus as soon as possible. The UK military presence in southern Iraq would be 4,500 troops through the end of March 2008. There will be an additional 500 in the region -- PM Brown will not be specific, but these 500 will be in Kuwait. Subsequently, the UK presence will reduce over time to about 2,500 in southern Iraq, subject to conditions. The rationale for this reduction is that the focus for UK troops in MND-SE is training and mentoring of Iraqi forces. ¶5. (S) Responding to Ambassador Crocker,s questions, Prentice said that the 4,500 UK troops for southern Iraq excluded staff or special operations troops in Baghdad or other parts of Iraq. He noted that the draft text alluded to the possibility of a further reduction of 500 in the pre-March 2008 period, but that he and the UK military foresee 4,500 British troops in MND-SE through March 2008. They will be based at the Basrah Air Station -- discussion on that issue was now closed. ¶6. (S) Prentice reported that he had informed PM Maliki, who referred to the drawdown as a timetable. Prentice corrected him, reminding him that the size of the UK presence was subject to conditions on the ground. Maliki acknowledged that the reduction in UK troops was a natural process and did not express anxiety about it. Immigration Terms and Conditions -------------- BAGHDAD 00003383 002.2 OF 002 ¶7. (C) Prentice also previewed PM Brown,s statement regarding terms and conditions for Iraqis who had worked for the British to gain admission to the UK or be compensated. He made clear that this package was only for those who would be made redundant by the UK drawdown or had been threatened. The details were still to be worked out. Brown would make clear that this not a precedent for a long-service immigration benefit but a limited benefit for Iraqi locally engaged staff (LES). Prentice closed on this topic by noting that Maliki was concerned that if Brown mentioned this special immigration program publicly, it would undermine confidence in the Iraqi government. Prentice said he told Maliki it had to be in the public statement to Parliament as British media had attacked HMG for its failure to provide for its Iraqi LES. Basrah Development Forum -------------- ¶8. (S) Prentice wrapped up comments on Brown,s statement with a discussion of economic development initiatives, which he said enjoyed the strong support of PM Brown. As well as announcing significant funding for an investment fund, Brown pushed hard for the creation of an investment council to coordinate the different strands of economic development in Basrah. He added that a highly prominent British businessman would be a key member of the council -- PM Brown is determined that this investment council will succeed. Later, Prentice asked for a briefing on the success of the Erbil fund. Noting that a review was due later this month, Ambassador Crocker promised to share lessons learned with Prentice and to mention the investment council plans to Deputy Prime Minister Barhan later that evening. British Hostages -------------- ¶9. (S) Prentice indicated the UK had received credible proof-of-life of the five UK hostages. Ambassador Crocker expressed pleasure with the news, calling it a very hopeful sign and noting that proof-of-life usually indicates the hostage takers, willingness to ultimately negotiate the release of their hostages. Comment -------------- ¶10. (S) The UK decision to stop boycotting Wa,eli is welcome. Though corrupt, Wa,eli is not an ideologue and can serve to advance the movement towards Iraqis running their own affairs in Basrah. PM Brown,s commitment to investment and economic development in Basrah is also welcome and likewise bodes well for moving Iraq forward. CROCKER