FM ON REGIONAL CONFERENCE, TURKEY, IRAN, AND

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000490

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: FM ON REGIONAL CONFERENCE, TURKEY, IRAN, AND
RECENT TRAVEL

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S) Summary: During a February 6 meeting, Minister of
Foreign Affairs Hoshyar al-Zebari and the Ambassador
discussed an upcoming regional conference the MFA intends to
host; current issues the GOI has with Turkey, Iran and Syria;
and the FM's recent travels to Italy and Davos. The FM
reiterated previous statements that Baghdad should be the
site for an upcoming regional conference, but agreed that
several key players - including the Saudis and the Egyptians
- are "dragging their feet" about attending. Expressing his
"displeasure" with recent statements from the Turkish
government and lackluster response to goodwill gestures,
Zebari stated that he would not be surprised if the GOT took
military action in the future. He stated that the Iranians
understand they can no longer act with impunity within Iraq
and stated that the Iraqi cabinet recently approved
transforming Iranian liaison offices into official
consulates. The FM concluded with an update on his recent
travel and noted that the Italian government has pledged 400
million Euros to project-based civilian assistance. End
Summary.

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IRAQ'S "RIGHT" TO HOST A CONFERENCE; NEIGHBORS HESITANT
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2. (S) The FM noted that he intends to move forward with a
regional conference March 11-12. He said that during his
upcoming travel to Saudi Arabia (February 12) he will
encourage them to attend; Turkey, Syria and Iran have already
agreed to the conference. He noted that Jordan will attend
as long as Saudi Arabia and Egypt send representatives.
Kuwait has suggested, and the Arab League concurs, that the
conference should be delayed until after the Arab League's
scheduled March 28 meeting. The UN and the OIC have both
said they would attend, according to the FM. If the majority
of regional players are engaged, he concluded, others will
also attend.


3. (S) The Ambassador responded that regional Foreign
Ministers may not attend the planned Baghdad-based
conference. But he recognized that it is "Iraq's right to
host the next meeting," and suggested that perhaps an
Ambassadorial- level meeting in Baghdad. The Ambassador said
that in his meetings with the Saudi Foreign Minister he
understood that the Saudi FM does not want to travel to
Baghdad. But we will encourage the Saudis to send an envoy
to the Baghdad meeting. The Ambassador noted that it would
be a "powerful message" to have a meeting in Baghdad.

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IRAQI-TURKISH RELATIONS STRAINED; TURKISH RHETORIC INCREASING
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4. (S) The FM noted that he had spoken with Turkish FM Gul
and expressed "displeasure" for the comments Turkey has
recently made concerning Kirkuk, the PKK and other issues.
The Turks are not cooperating on trilateral meetings, an idea
which had been developed to show goodwill, he said. In
mid-February a delegation from the KRG, including Kurdish PM
Nechirvan Barzani, will travel to Turkey in another effort to
improve relations. Zebari commended "good steps" taken at
the Makhmour refugee camp, but pointed out that the Turks are
not allowing women and children to return. He predicated
that the Turks will do "something," although dismissed a land
attack. "I do not know when or how," he said, but an air
attack is possible.


5. (S) The Ambassador replied that Turkish rhetoric is due to
upcoming elections in Turkey and noted that the PM, who wants
to be President, needs the support of Turkish nationalists.
He agreed that the Turks need to take steps on an amnesty
program and that by continuing to press on Kirkuk the Turks
were being counter-productive. Furthermore, the Ambassador
said, he is pushing for General Ralston, the special envoy
for PKK issues, to increase his engagement. It would be
helpful, the Ambassador concluded, if the PUK and KDP could
take additional political steps and push the PKK to reiterate
their ceasefire.

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IRAN UNDERSTANDS NEW REALITY; PM "DISRUPTS" PROGRESS ON SYRIA
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6. (S) The FM raised quickly the Iranian diplomat arrested in
Baghdad. He said that the Iraqi Police arrested four
individuals who used to be with Iraqi Special Forces. Zebari
said he spoke with the Minister of Defense who confirmed the
four individuals used to work for the special forces. He
noted that the PM is "determined" to "get to the bottom" of
this incident. Turning to the five Iranians arrested January

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11 in Erbil, Zebari said that in a meeting with the Iranian
Ambassador to Iraq he had warned him against sending Quds
Forces into the country. "If you do that," he cautioned, the
GOI "will not be able to protect you." He assessed that Iran
has "received the message." The FM said that the cabinet had
approved transforming Iranian liaison offices, such as the
one where the five men were arrested in January, into
official consulates.


7. (S) On Syria, the FM noted that relations had been
proceeding well but the PM has "disrupted" the progress. He
noted that Sunni leader Harith al-Dari had provoked the PM.
The PM had taken this "personally" which is why GOI spokesman
Ali al-Dabbagh made statements that 50 percent of those
people and materials coming into Baghdad are entering through
the Iraq-Syria border.

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THE FM'S TRAVELS: ITALY OFFERS FINANCIAL AID; TALKS WITH IAEA
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8. (S) The Foreign Minister briefed on his recent travels to
Italy and Davos and discussions on the International Compact
for Iraq. The Italians, he said, have promised to transform
their military aid to civilian assistance and have pledged
400 million Euros over three years in project-oriented
support. In Davos, the FM noted that he is going to work
with IAEA to close remaining files, commenting that Iraq
remains "under sanctions." The FM said he had positive
discussions with IAEA Director General Mohamed al-Baradei and
concluded that resolution would be possible.
SPECKHARD