Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD733
2007-02-27 19:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
PM CHIEF OF STAFF DISCUSSES HYDROCARBON LAW AND PR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0045 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHGB #0733/01 0581940 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 271940Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9934
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).
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
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