FM TO TRAVEL TO SYRIA, IRAQ REP AT PARIS DONOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004007 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ SUBJECT: FM TO TRAVEL TO SYRIA, IRAQ REP AT PARIS DONOR CONFERENCE UNLIKELY Classified By: Classified by Political Military Minister Counselor Marc ie Ries for Reasons 1.4(d/b) ¶1. (C) In December 6 and 9 meetings with PolMil Minister Counselor Amb. Marcie Ries, Foreign Minister Zebari reviewed the SPD and UNSCR processes, and robustly criticized the Prime Minister's Office's (PMO) role in the matter. Citing improved relations and increased Syrian pressure on foreign terrorists and facilitators (FTF),the Foreign Minister confirmed that he will travel to Syria on December 10. Zebari said the GOI had given a check to the Syrian Ministry of Finance for its part of the USD 25 million refugee pledge, but equivocated about Jordan and Lebanon's shares. Zebari was not optimistic the GOI would send a representative to the Paris Palestinian Donor Conference. And, in a rare departure from form, Zebari spoke for the Kurdish Coalition (and, presumably, for his nephew Massud Barzani) to stress its growing frustration with the Maliki government. UNSCR AND SPD--PM'S Office Responsible for Delays ¶2. (C) On December 6, Zebari remarked he had just come from a bi-quarterly briefing with Iraqi editors whom he said "strongly" supported the SPD. He was equally upbeat about the SPD/UNSCR presentation he made to the Council of Representatives (CoR) earlier in the week, although he complained that it would have been more appropriate for the Prime Minister to address the parliament. He noted that CoR Speaker Mashadani adroitly managed the "informational" closed-doors session, and added the CoR would not debate the matter prior to its presentation to the Security Council, but would have the opportunity to vote on the final agreement. ¶3. (C) Zebari said the PMO role in the process had been an "embarrassment" for which the USG was partly to blame, adding 'you give them too much leeway." Zebari thinks the PMO's unfamiliarity with the issue's background and willingness to bypass the MFA were the principle speed-bumps in the SPD and UNSCR processes. He suggested the PMO's unhelpful role could color relations between POTUS and the PM Improved Relations and SARG Anti-FFT Activities Pave Way for Damascus Trip ¶4. (C) Citing better bi-lateral relations and the SARG's increased anti-FTF activities, the Foreign Minister confirmed he would travel to Damascus on December 10. He also said he would also carry a package of (unspecified) economic incentives to the SARG. Ambassador Ries stressed that while there were some indications of increased SARG action against foreign terrorists and facilitators, it could certainly do more to disrupt networks and improve security at points of entry, particularly Damascus Airport. (NOTE: Before Foreign Minister Zebari travels to Damascus, Ambassador Ries and MNF-I representatives will also provide an FTF intelligence briefing based on Objective Massey data. END NOTE.) Amb. Ries noted the timing of the visit and cautioned against sending any signal the SARG might construe as condoning interference in the Lebanese presidential process. Zebari agreed that any Syrian meddling in Lebanese internal affairs was unacceptable. He also mentioned that the GOI and the SARG were discussing the opening of consulates in Aleppo and Mosul, respectively. Refugees--Fate of USD 25 Million Pledge Still Uncertain ¶5. (C) On December 6, Zebari told Ambassador Ries he had &washed his hands8 of the matter, but confirmed that the money has been transferred to Iraqi Missions in Amman, Damascus and Lebanon. Host-country ministries, he said, were the GOI's preferred channel to disburse the funds. In the December 9 meeting, Zebari confirmed that Finance Minister Bayan Jabr gave the SARG a check for its portion of the refugee pledge (15 million, according to a earlier report Zebari provide S/I Satterfield.) Jordan, Zebari continued, did not want to be seen as "receiving compensation to care for refugees" so the GOI had not yet disbursed the GOJ's USD 8 million share. Zebari concluded that Lebanon could wait for its USD 2 million portion. Paris Palestinian Donors Conference--Iraqi Attendance Unlikely at This Stage ¶6. (C) Ambassador Marcie Ries emphasized that we would welcome an Iraqi representative, and noted that S/I Satterfield also spoke to the PM about the conference. Zebari confirmed that Iraq received an invitation, but interpreted Maliki's response to S/I Satterfield ("I'll have to check with my political people") to mean that Iraq would not attend. BAGHDAD 00004007 002 OF 002 Zebari Dons His Kurdish Hat ¶7. (C) Expanding on the December 6 SPD and UNSCR discussions, Zebari mentioned he would be representing KRG President Massoud Barzani at the ISCI, Dawa, KDP and PUK four-way alliance (which he referred to as the G-4) meeting later that day. Zebari warned "our (Kurdish) coalition is seriously considering the Government's performance" and complained that the Prime Minister was too "busy with petty things and trivial issues" to provide leadership on "services and legislation." The main problem, Zebari went on, was that the Prime Minister wished to control all aspects of government (a "Dawa policy" according to Zebari) and relies on no one outside a tiny cadre of Dawa insiders for advice. Comment ¶8. (C) Zebari, a conscientious civil servant, usually does not touch on his Kurdish ethnicity while discussing Iraqi foreign affairs. His comments, however, echo others we have heard recently from senior Kurdish leadership and his unexpected departure from form further underscores that key group's growing disenchantment with the Maliki government. Post will provide septel a more detailed readout of the Kurdish alliances' shifting relations with the Prime Minister. BUTENIS