IRAQ:BSP PROGRESSING, HYDROCARBON LAW COMPROMISES,

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000660 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS IZ SUBJECT: IRAQ:BSP PROGRESSING, HYDROCARBON LAW COMPROMISES, "CROSSED SABERS" WILL STAY - FOR NOW Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: During a February 20 meeting with Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, and Minister of Oil Husayn Shahristani, all agreed that necessary compromises to the draft Hydrocarbon Law are almost complete and that it will be presented to the Council of Representatives in mid-March. They also discussed the potential political impact of the widely reported alleged kidnapping and rape of a Sunni woman by Iraqi National police. Maliki said he immediately launched an investigation and that suspects were arrested, but that medical reports indicate that the woman was not assaulted. He added that this would not affect the execution of the new security plan. He strongly criticized what he characterized as an attempt by VP Hashemi and Speaker Mashhadani to make this a political issue. He also stated that he was unaware of reports that the "Crossed Sabers" monument was being dismantled, commenting that it was a decision taken under former Prime Minister Ibrahim Ja'afari. He stated that he would immediately suspend the action because dismantling it now would be politically problematic. END SUMMARY. -------------- Maliki's Response to Alleged Rape -------------- ¶2. (S) At a February 20 meeting with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Ambassador Khalilzad expressed his concern over Maliki's public statement in response to the alleged rape of a Sunni woman by Iraqi National Police. The incident, widely broadcast throughout the Arab world, has angered Iraqi Sunnis and prompted some Sunni leaders to call the latest Baghdad Security Plan a failure. The woman was treated and examined at the Combat Surgical Hospital (CSH). The Ambassador commented that he was troubled that the Prime Minister's office released a statement stating that no rape occurred, despite the fact that the CSH had not released the results of the victim's examination. Maliki then produced a copy of a medical report (dated February 18),telling the Ambassador that they received the report from a Tawafuq Front official who received it from a CSH employee of "Palestinian origin." (NOTE: After the meeting the Embassy determined that Tuwafaq Front officials obtained the victim's medical report from the patie nt herself, who was provided them upon discharge. The CSH did not publicly release details of the investigation. The PM's office released a copy of the report on February 20. END NOTE.) ¶3. (S) Maliki added that he had taken swift action on this incident, presenting evidence to an investigating committee and ensuring that charges were filed against the suspected perpetrators, who he said were not Shia. (NOTE: This has not yet been confirmed. END NOTE) Maliki opined that it was a confused story, noting that the alleged victim had been arrested three times for involvement in terror networks. He added that this did not excuse any assault and that any misconduct would be punished. Maliki's stated his concern that Speaker Mahmoud Mashhadani and Vice President Tariq Hashemi were attempting to use the rape as a "political statement" to discredit the positive results of the Baghdad Security Plan and to call for its suspension. Referring to these efforts, he wondered aloud "why do they speak this way?" -------------- -------------- Hydrocarbon Law: Major Compromises, Nearing Completion -------------- -------------- ¶4. (S) The Prime Minister and Ambassador met with key Kurdish leaders - Deputy Prime Minister Salih and former Deputy Prime Minister Rowsh Shaways -- to discuss the hydrocarbon law. A separate meeting with Oil Minister Shahristani followed. The meetings produced agreement on the cover letter for the hydrocarbon framework law, setting the stage for the long-awaited cabinet action on the law. The key to resolving the impasse was reached when, at the Ambassador's suggestion, Rowsh received agreement from KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani to send a letter to Maliki listing the four contracts the KRG has already signed for oil/gas exploration and development since the adoption of the constitution in 2005. Barzani will also make clear in his letter that the Kurds will not press their demand for a re-balance of cabinet level positions in conjunction with the hydrocarbon law. Both BAGHDAD 00000660 002 OF 002 Maliki and Shahristani agreed to the text of Barzani's letter. ¶5. (S) The cover letter will state that the Hydrocarbon Law, including four annexes listing the categories of fields and exploration blocks and the associated revenue distribution law, will be submitted to the Council of Representatives by March 15. The letter also contains a statement of intent that the entire package of hydrocarbon laws and their implementation is to be completed by the end of May. (NOTE: The special Council of Ministers meeting held March 21 failed to approve the draft law. END NOTE) -------------- Maliki Visits the Baghdad Streets -------------- ¶6. (S) Maliki was visibly pleased as he discussed his trip to a mixed Sunni-Shia neighborhood, describing the people as being supportive of the new security plan. The Ambassador approved, saying that such trips send an important message to the Iraqi people. Maliki said it was good to see the positive reaction on Baghdad streets. He mentioned that he visited three checkpoints and handed out bonuses for exceptional duty performance. He said that he was pleased with the checkpoints overall, but added that some needed improvement, including additional soldiers. He commented that the Iraqi Army needs to go back to cooking its own food because the contract method is "too expensive and provides low quality food" that the soldiers do not like. -------------- The Fall of the Crossed Sabers? -------------- ¶7. (S) The Ambassador concluded by advising Maliki that there were rumors that Saddam's "Crossed Sabers" Monument was to be dismantled beginning Wednesday morning. Maliki responded that he knew of no such plans, but added that the Cabinet of Ministers may have made the decision under former Prime Minister Ja'afari. He added that he would immediately suspend any action to dismantle the monument, noting that doing it now would detract from the security plan. KHALILZAD