Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD3481
2007-10-21 03:03:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
IRAQ-IRAN RESUMING BORDER NEGOTIATIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO5052 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3481 2940303 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 210303Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3928 INFO RUEHBC/REO BASRAH IMMEDIATE 2279 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHIHL/REO HILLAH IMMEDIATE 2222 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHKUK/REO KIRKUK IMMEDIATE 2217 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 003481
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: MOPS PBTS PGOV PHUM PTER IR IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ-IRAN RESUMING BORDER NEGOTIATIONS
REF: BAGHDAD 3159
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan Crocker for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 003481
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: MOPS PBTS PGOV PHUM PTER IR IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ-IRAN RESUMING BORDER NEGOTIATIONS
REF: BAGHDAD 3159
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan Crocker for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (S) At the Deputy Ministerial Council for National
Security (DMCNS) on October 8, Deputy FonMin Abbawi reported
that Iraq would resume border negotiations with Iran in
November. Abbawi said he hoped the outcome would be a
clearly-defined demarcation of the border based on previously
negotiated treaties (note: except for the Algiers Accord of
1975, which Iraq rejects per reftel, end note). Abbawi
further explained that two border disputes are now driving
the negotiations--the land border near Goteyba oil reserves
and shifts in water flow through the Shatt al-Arab.
--------------
Who Gets the Oil?
--------------
2. (S) According to Deputy Abbawi, the most significant
border demarcation line under negotiation is near Goteyba
Fort (also spelled Kotaibah, approx. 32 deg 58,26", 46 deg
05,46"). At issue are demarcation criteria in the Algiers
Accord of 1975--which Iraq rejects--that would place four
Iraqi border posts near Goteyba several hundred meters inside
Iranian territory. But if pre-Algiers agreements are applied,
said Abbawi, then these posts clearly lie inside Iraqi
territory. The Deputy MOI added that oil reserves around
Goteyba make this demarcation line significant since both
countries have agreed to refrain from drilling within 500
meters of the border. This came to a head last April, when
Iran began drilling operations within 300 meters of one of
the disputed border posts, prompting an Iraqi show of force
to discourage encroachment.
--------------
Who Gets the Shore Front?
--------------
3. (S) The D/FonMin said the Shatt al-Arab border issues were
not nearly as contentious. He noted that at least 1700 meters
(about 1 mile) of surveyed shoreline on the Shatt al-Arab has
shifted significantly due to changes in the water flow.
Although most of the changes favor Iran, he noted that
recently completed Iraqi surveys on other parts of the
waterway favor Iraq.
4. (C) Deputy National Security Advisor Safa tasked the MFA
and MOI to prepare a joint briefing on the negotiations
issues for Prime Minister Maliki. He also agreed with their
recommendations to bundle all the border issues into one
single package for the November negotiations.
5. (C) COMMENT: If the Iranians are prepared to engage on
these issues, it would represent a significant change in
Tehran,s approach. Thus far, Iran has insisted on Iraqi
affirmation of the Algiers Accord, which is political
anathema here.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: MOPS PBTS PGOV PHUM PTER IR IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ-IRAN RESUMING BORDER NEGOTIATIONS
REF: BAGHDAD 3159
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan Crocker for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (S) At the Deputy Ministerial Council for National
Security (DMCNS) on October 8, Deputy FonMin Abbawi reported
that Iraq would resume border negotiations with Iran in
November. Abbawi said he hoped the outcome would be a
clearly-defined demarcation of the border based on previously
negotiated treaties (note: except for the Algiers Accord of
1975, which Iraq rejects per reftel, end note). Abbawi
further explained that two border disputes are now driving
the negotiations--the land border near Goteyba oil reserves
and shifts in water flow through the Shatt al-Arab.
--------------
Who Gets the Oil?
--------------
2. (S) According to Deputy Abbawi, the most significant
border demarcation line under negotiation is near Goteyba
Fort (also spelled Kotaibah, approx. 32 deg 58,26", 46 deg
05,46"). At issue are demarcation criteria in the Algiers
Accord of 1975--which Iraq rejects--that would place four
Iraqi border posts near Goteyba several hundred meters inside
Iranian territory. But if pre-Algiers agreements are applied,
said Abbawi, then these posts clearly lie inside Iraqi
territory. The Deputy MOI added that oil reserves around
Goteyba make this demarcation line significant since both
countries have agreed to refrain from drilling within 500
meters of the border. This came to a head last April, when
Iran began drilling operations within 300 meters of one of
the disputed border posts, prompting an Iraqi show of force
to discourage encroachment.
--------------
Who Gets the Shore Front?
--------------
3. (S) The D/FonMin said the Shatt al-Arab border issues were
not nearly as contentious. He noted that at least 1700 meters
(about 1 mile) of surveyed shoreline on the Shatt al-Arab has
shifted significantly due to changes in the water flow.
Although most of the changes favor Iran, he noted that
recently completed Iraqi surveys on other parts of the
waterway favor Iraq.
4. (C) Deputy National Security Advisor Safa tasked the MFA
and MOI to prepare a joint briefing on the negotiations
issues for Prime Minister Maliki. He also agreed with their
recommendations to bundle all the border issues into one
single package for the November negotiations.
5. (C) COMMENT: If the Iranians are prepared to engage on
these issues, it would represent a significant change in
Tehran,s approach. Thus far, Iran has insisted on Iraqi
affirmation of the Algiers Accord, which is political
anathema here.
CROCKER