CODEL MCCAIN TO ABDULMAHDI: NEED POLITICAL PROGRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003861

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: CODEL MCCAIN TO ABDULMAHDI: NEED POLITICAL PROGRESS

Classified By: DEPUTY POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT WALLER, FOR REASONS 1.
4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) Summary. On November 23 Senators John McCain, Saxby
Chambliss, Lindsey Graham, John Barasso and Governor Jon
Huntsman met with Deputy President Adil Abdulmahdi, advisor
Zuhair Humadi, and former oil minister Ibrahim Bahr Ulum.
The American delegation repeatedly emphasized the need for
political progress in Iraq to counter decreasing American
support for the war. The two sides also discussed oil
corruption, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and the need for more
Arab countries to send Ambassadors to Iraq. End Summary.


2. (C) McCain opened the meeting by asking about reports of
corruption within the oil ministry. Abdulmahdi replied that
it was a sensitive issue and that he had yet to confirm the
reports. Later McCain returned to the subject, pointing out
that FedEx knows the location of every package it sends
worldwide while the Iraqi oil ministry cannot account for
20-30% of the oil it produces. "The Iraqi people need and
deserve better," he concluded.


3. (C) The American delegation repeatedly emphasize the
importance of political progress in Iraq. McCain explained
that political support for the war was decreasing and that
even Republicans would withdraw their support for continued
funding in the absence of any clear political achievements.
Abdulmahdi stressed signs of political progress, including
the delivery of the 2008 budget to the Council of
Representatives (CoR),Sadr's declaration of a 'freeze' on
JAM, and the upcoming declaration of the U.S. - Iraq
strategic relationship. In response to repeated questions
from the delegation Abdulmahdi predicted the "Justice and
Accountability" (de-Ba'ath) law would be passed before
January 1. Graham expressed frustration that Maliki did not
give the same answer when asked the question earlier in the
day.


4. (C) In response to Chambliss' question about Iran's
"nuclear weaponization," Abdulmahdi replied that the Iraq
government was concerned over Iranian influence and
constantly pressure Iran to implement "good policies." He
said that Iraqis too were concerned over Iran's nuclear
program and expressed hope that Iran would eventually sign an
agreement abandoning its nuclear ambitions. Although asked
Abdulmahdi declined to provide any specific advice on U.S.
policy towards Iran, saying instead that "we wish there is no
war."


5. (C) McCain suggested that more Arab countries needed to
send ambassadors to Iraq. Abdulmahdi said that Egyptian
President Mubarak recently promised to send an ambassador to
Iraq. Humaidi added, "But senator, a nudge from you would
really help." The delegation promised to approach Arab
ambassadors in Washington, DC to press them on the issue.


6. (C) CODEL McCain did not have an opportunity to review
this cable before leaving Iraq.
CROCKER