Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD3990
2007-12-09 10:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
PM MALIKI EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE TO SECDEF GATES
how-toVZCZCXRO7174 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3990/01 3431008 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091008Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4729 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// PRIORITY INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003990
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS MARR MOPS ECON EFIN IZ
SUBJECT: PM MALIKI EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE TO SECDEF GATES
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Patricia A. Butenis for reasons 1.4 (b
) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003990
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS MARR MOPS ECON EFIN IZ
SUBJECT: PM MALIKI EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE TO SECDEF GATES
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Patricia A. Butenis for reasons 1.4 (b
) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. In a December 5 meeting, PM Maliki
repeatedly noted to Defense Secretary Gates the positive
impact of progress in the security situation. Improved
security was facilitating positive developments in Iraq's
internal political situation as well as Iraq's relationships
with the United States and the Coalition. PM Maliki also
expressed confidence in his government's ability to pass
important legislation like hydrocarbons and justice and
accountability, to develop long-term security arrangements,
and to pass and execute the budget. End Summary.
--------------
Impact of Improved Security
--------------
2. (C) PM Maliki declared to Defense Secretary Gates in their
December 5 meeting that positive effects resulting from
dramatic security improvements and cooperation between Iraq
and the Coalition were being realized. He stated that Al
Qaeda was retreating and that terrorism could be defeated.
He cautioned that measures needed to be taken to prevent
terrorists from regrouping; progress and projects for the
Iraqi people had to be increased. PM Maliki stated that
every time terrorists saw a bus return to Iraq with former
refugees, it was like a strike of lightning upon the heads of
Al Qaeda.
3. (C) PM Maliki noted that the accomplishments in security
were having a positive impact on services and politics. He
noted that parties were more willing to make progress, and
even some ministers wanted to return to their positions.
These developments would help legislation to pass.
--------------
Advancing Key Legislation
--------------
4. (C) Secretary Gates thanked PM Maliki for his cooperation
with the November 26 Declaration of Principles. Secretary
Gates then inquired about the prospects for advancing the
hydrocarbon law and the accountability and justice law.
5. (C) PM Maliki responded that the accountability and
justice law was "practically done," and it was already at the
second reading. Problems from the initial reading were due
to the presentation of the wrong draft. Although it is a
complicated issue, the PM was confident that it would be
passed.
6. (C) PM Maliki opined that attention will shift to the
hydrocarbon law after the passage of the accountability and
justice law. On hydrocarbon law, PM Maliki stated that the
draft approved by the Council of Ministers was the most
acceptable to all parties. Kurds and other groups had caused
problems with the advancement of the legislation.
--------------
Long-Term Security
--------------
7. (C) Noting successful completion of the Declaration of
Principles and the imminent renewal of the UN Security
Council Resolution, PM Maliki expressed confidence in the
future agreement on long-term security. Although he
acknowledged that there would be political complications, "In
the end, it will be done." He noted that the Declaration of
Principles was a political success because Iraqi leaders
thoroughly discussed the document with other groups in
advance. (Note: Prior to signing the Declaration, the Prime
Minister's senior advisors deliberately briefed ministers,
political party leaders, and finally the Council of
Representatives on the elements within the Declaration. End
Note.) PM Maliki stated that although the negotiations will
take a long time, both the Iraqi and U.S. sides were intent
on concluding a bilateral agreement, so it would be "easy."
He observed that the Declaration of Principles, the UNSCR
renewal, and the long-term relationship would have been very
difficult to get done if it had not been for the improvements
in the security situation.
--------------
Budget
--------------
8. (C) Responding to Secretary Gates' question about passing
the budget, PM Maliki again expressed confidence in his
government. The PM acknowledged that Iraq benefits from high
oil prices and that Iraq obtained more revenue from oil than
BAGHDAD 00003990 002 OF 002
other sources. He was optimistic that the funds would be
properly spent. In comparison to previous years, PM Maliki
explained that the Government of Iraq was NOW more
experienced in budget execution.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS MARR MOPS ECON EFIN IZ
SUBJECT: PM MALIKI EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE TO SECDEF GATES
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Patricia A. Butenis for reasons 1.4 (b
) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. In a December 5 meeting, PM Maliki
repeatedly noted to Defense Secretary Gates the positive
impact of progress in the security situation. Improved
security was facilitating positive developments in Iraq's
internal political situation as well as Iraq's relationships
with the United States and the Coalition. PM Maliki also
expressed confidence in his government's ability to pass
important legislation like hydrocarbons and justice and
accountability, to develop long-term security arrangements,
and to pass and execute the budget. End Summary.
--------------
Impact of Improved Security
--------------
2. (C) PM Maliki declared to Defense Secretary Gates in their
December 5 meeting that positive effects resulting from
dramatic security improvements and cooperation between Iraq
and the Coalition were being realized. He stated that Al
Qaeda was retreating and that terrorism could be defeated.
He cautioned that measures needed to be taken to prevent
terrorists from regrouping; progress and projects for the
Iraqi people had to be increased. PM Maliki stated that
every time terrorists saw a bus return to Iraq with former
refugees, it was like a strike of lightning upon the heads of
Al Qaeda.
3. (C) PM Maliki noted that the accomplishments in security
were having a positive impact on services and politics. He
noted that parties were more willing to make progress, and
even some ministers wanted to return to their positions.
These developments would help legislation to pass.
--------------
Advancing Key Legislation
--------------
4. (C) Secretary Gates thanked PM Maliki for his cooperation
with the November 26 Declaration of Principles. Secretary
Gates then inquired about the prospects for advancing the
hydrocarbon law and the accountability and justice law.
5. (C) PM Maliki responded that the accountability and
justice law was "practically done," and it was already at the
second reading. Problems from the initial reading were due
to the presentation of the wrong draft. Although it is a
complicated issue, the PM was confident that it would be
passed.
6. (C) PM Maliki opined that attention will shift to the
hydrocarbon law after the passage of the accountability and
justice law. On hydrocarbon law, PM Maliki stated that the
draft approved by the Council of Ministers was the most
acceptable to all parties. Kurds and other groups had caused
problems with the advancement of the legislation.
--------------
Long-Term Security
--------------
7. (C) Noting successful completion of the Declaration of
Principles and the imminent renewal of the UN Security
Council Resolution, PM Maliki expressed confidence in the
future agreement on long-term security. Although he
acknowledged that there would be political complications, "In
the end, it will be done." He noted that the Declaration of
Principles was a political success because Iraqi leaders
thoroughly discussed the document with other groups in
advance. (Note: Prior to signing the Declaration, the Prime
Minister's senior advisors deliberately briefed ministers,
political party leaders, and finally the Council of
Representatives on the elements within the Declaration. End
Note.) PM Maliki stated that although the negotiations will
take a long time, both the Iraqi and U.S. sides were intent
on concluding a bilateral agreement, so it would be "easy."
He observed that the Declaration of Principles, the UNSCR
renewal, and the long-term relationship would have been very
difficult to get done if it had not been for the improvements
in the security situation.
--------------
Budget
--------------
8. (C) Responding to Secretary Gates' question about passing
the budget, PM Maliki again expressed confidence in his
government. The PM acknowledged that Iraq benefits from high
oil prices and that Iraq obtained more revenue from oil than
BAGHDAD 00003990 002 OF 002
other sources. He was optimistic that the funds would be
properly spent. In comparison to previous years, PM Maliki
explained that the Government of Iraq was NOW more
experienced in budget execution.
BUTENIS