BARHAM SALIH ON CORRUPTION, IRAQI UNITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003881

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2017
TAGS: PREL GPGOV PINS PINR IZ
SUBJECT: BARHAM SALIH ON CORRUPTION, IRAQI UNITY


1. (C) Senators Inouye and Stevens met on 26 November with
Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih to discuss GOI corruption
and the future of the U.S. presence in Iraq. Salih
acknowledged serious institutionalized corruption, but said
the GOI was working to establish effective oversight
mechanisms in conjunction with the U.S. and international
community. On the U.S.-Iraq relationship, Sen. Stevens
warned Salih that U.S. public patience with Iraqi infighting
is running thin, and that Iraqis must unite before U.S.
policymakers draw forces significantly down. Salih took the
point, but argued that both the complexity of Iraq,s
problems and the potential impact of this conflict across the
region warrant a U.S. commitment to stay the course. End
summary.

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GOI CORRUPTION: WIDESPREAD BUT SALVAGEABLE
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2. (C) Salih attributed Iraq,s corruption problems to a
political elite that depends on it for sustenance, a long
history in which corruption has been an accepted fact of
life, and the inevitability of graft in any society in
transition. He said the GOI had developed a reasonably
professional auditing capability, thanks in part to help from
the U.S., UN, and World Bank, but that past efforts to police
the ministries had been vulnerable to politicization towards
both Sunnis and Shia. Salih is organizing a GOI &corruption
conference8 to include the heads of relevant ministries and
various representatives of the international community, which
he hopes will take place around December 15.

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IRAQIS MUST UNIFY OR RISK LOSING U.S. SUPPORT
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3. (C) Sen. Stevens warned that his constituents, patience
was running out with the Iraqis, seeming inability to unify,
and estimated the GOI had 18 months to establish order before
voters would force a significant reduction in the U.S.
presence. He suggested Iraq might take a lesson from Israel,
which has weathered decades of violence within its borders by
remaining internally cohesive. Salih thanked the Senator for
his candor, but said it was unrealistic Iraq would stabilize
within 18 months and expressed hope the U.S. would see the
mission through to completion. He recognized the Coalition
cannot maintain its current numbers indefinitely, but
encouraged more serious discussion on a sustainable long-term
posture.


4. (C) Salih continued that Iraq,s disunity is deep-seated,
noting that for Kurds and Shia the word &Iraq8 had
historically signified an external threat, not an identity.
Iraqis from all ethnicities and sects, however, are realizing
their vulnerability to instability and foreign intervention
in the absence of a unified state. Repeatedly Salih said
Iraq,s troubles are not only internal, but due to
intervention by its neighbors and al-Qa,ida, and that
solutions to all the Middle East,s problems depend in part
on the outcome in Iraq. Finally, Salih hailed this year,s
successful security surge, and called for a political surge
of comparable intensity to break the deadlock in the GOI.


5. (U) Codel Inouye did not have an opportunity to clear
this cable before departing Baghdad.
BUTENIS