PM CHIEF OF STAFF DISCUSSES HYDROCARBON LAW AND PR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000733 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON IZ SUBJECT: PM CHIEF OF STAFF DISCUSSES HYDROCARBON LAW AND PR ISSUES WITH DCM Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The hydrocarbon law would still be passed by the Council of Ministers this week, the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff (COS) Tariq Abdullah anticipated in a February 21 meeting with the DCM. Abdullah also requested embassy suggestions on how to improve media coordination for the new Baghdad Security Plan (BSP),and agreed to issue invitations to the neighbor's conference soon. DCM pointed out that a blanket prohibition against Dyncorps contracts was not justified, given the lack of evidence of their participation in the escape from jail of Minister of Electricity Aiham Al-Sammarae. DCM also cautioned against drawing inferences in the rape case from the widely-circulated medical exam report. -------------- HYDROCARBON LAW WILL STILL PASS -------------- ¶2. (C) Abdullah conveyed that the Prime Minister was very embarrassed that the Council of Ministers failed to approve the hydrocarbon law, when he had promised President Bush it would pass. The principal issues have all been agreed to; however the Kurds have a decade's legacy of distrust, and they were concerned about some minor issues, he asserted. An emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers had been called for February 22, and he expected it to pass at that session, he said. (Note: It did not pass. End note.) -------------- PUBLIC RELATIONS NEEDS COORDINATION -------------- ¶3. (C) DCM requested and Tariq agreed that the Prime Minister's Office would coordinate with the Embassy in advance before the GOI publicly discussed the video conference discussions between President Bush and the Prime Minister. COS Abdullah also acknowledged the DCM's message on working together to manage public expectations, given the PM's press statement following the last video conference referring to the "dazzling" success of the Baghdad Security Plan. DCM also noted that the Iraqi pubic relations support for the Baghdad Security Plan (BSP) appeared disjointed and was "leaving our side confused" as to who to work with on what. ¶4. (C) COS Abdullah stated that any media negligence was due to lack of experience. "We are trying to hire talent as fast as we can," he said, and gave as an example the new media center at the Council of Ministers, which has a new professional staff. Abdullah asked the DCM to share any suggestions we might have on how to improve coordination. -------------- INVITE US TO THE BAGHDAD CONFERENCE -------------- ¶5. (C) DCM delivered Washington's request that invitations for the neighbor's conference be issued as soon as possible. When we announce our participation in a conference that includes Syria and Iran, the PM will be able to show that he is bringing everyone together, he explained. COS Abdullah responded that they are in favor of the conference, but they want to avoid the perception that outsiders will impose a solution on Iraqis. -------------- DYNCORPS GUILT NOT ESTABLISHED -------------- ¶6. (C) DCM pointed out that according to the facts released so far, no Dyncorps employees were involved in the December 2006 escape from prison and departure from Iraq of former Minister of Electricity Aiham Al-Sammarae, who was being detained. It was therefore not only unfair to issue a blanket prohibition against Dyncorps contracts or employees, but also unwise, since Dyncorps is running one of the GOI's most critical and comprehensive efforts to reform the police, he stated. Allegations, if any, should be pursued by engaging the company in a direct manner, he noted. COS Abdullah agreed to look into the matter. -------------- RAPE CASE -------------- ¶8. (C) With regard to the high profile rape case that has recently inflamed sectarian tensions in Baghdad, the DCM stated that in the U.S. inconclusive medical examinations occur in valid rape cases. Therefore, he hoped that the PM's allegation of fabrication was based on evidence other than just the medical report. DCM also noted that a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister was a very unusual forum in which to discuss the rape case. KHALILZAD