Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD753
2007-03-01 10:52:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
DCM METS WITH PM CHIEF OF STAFF ON NEIGHBORS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHGB #0753/01 0601052 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 011052Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9961 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// PRIORITY RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEBAAA/USDOE WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000753
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KNNP PARM PHUM PINS PNAT MOPS DA IZ
SUBJECT: DCM METS WITH PM CHIEF OF STAFF ON NEIGHBORS
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT, DEBAATH
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000753
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KNNP PARM PHUM PINS PNAT MOPS DA IZ
SUBJECT: DCM METS WITH PM CHIEF OF STAFF ON NEIGHBORS
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT, DEBAATH
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) On February 27, Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel
Speckhard met with Tariq Abdullah, Chief of Staff to Iraqi
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to discuss ideas for the
upcoming Neighbor's Conference that Iraq will host in March.
Abdullah said Maliki's government was pleased by the Council
of Minister's approval of the draft hydrocarbon law and
thought prospects for quick Council of Representatives
passage were good. Abdullah stated that PM Maliki was
considering suspending the current DeBaathification
principles as a show of reconciliation and to spur creation
of a fair and realistic DeBaathification law.
--------------
Neighbors Conference Announced
--------------
2. (S) DCM Speckhard congratulated COS Abdullah on the
announcement of the Neighbor's Conference to be held in
Baghdad in March. The US, Iran, Syria and other regional
nations have been invited to participate. DCM suggested that
the PM's office issue a statement on the event and offered
Abdullah some proposed language for the Maliki's
consideration. Abdullah agreed that it would be a good idea
for the PM to establish a public position and welcomed the
draft statement.
--------------
Hydrocarbon Law: Possible Quick CoR Passage?
--------------
3. (S) DCM told Abdullah that Sunday's passage of the draft
Hydrocarbon Law by the Council of Ministers was an important
step in promoting Iraqi unity and economic development.
Abdullah agreed, quoting the Minister of Planning saying it
was "the greatest achievement since the passage of the Iraqi
constitution." Abdullah added that the solid support the
draft received in the Council of Ministers augured well for
its swift passage when the Council of Representatives (CoR)
returns in early March.
-------------- -
Debaathification, Evenhandedness, Boosting DDR
-------------- -
4. (S) DCM emphasized the need for the PM to show bold
leadership on Debaathification, as the creation and passage
of a fair law is crucial to developing national unity.
Abdullah responded that Maliki was considering suspending the
current Debaathification principles in a show of
reconciliation that he hoped would spur efforts to pass a
reasonable and just law. DCM replied that this would be an
outstanding display of leadership on Maliki's part and would
send an important positive signal to the Sunni community.
Abdullah agreed, saying that it was a necessary step, adding
that it was important not to punish former party members who
had committed no crimes.
5. (S) Abdullah emphasized the PM did not "play favorites"
with the militias and that suggestions by many bordered on
"slanderous." Abdullah pointed out the PM's recent actions
in support of the BSP and against armed Shia elements
Diwaniyah that resulted in the arrest of 159 suspected
militia members. DCM agreed that Maliki has shown great
commitment to even handedness during the BSP. DCM Speckhard
stated that the Disarming, Demobilization, and Reintegration
(DDR) process seemed to have stalled and suggested that he
and COS Abdullah make a joint presentation to help reenergize
it. Abdullah said he thought this was a good idea. He also
mentioned that he was appointing a Baghdad University
professor of political science, Dr. Khalil al-Rubaie, as the
Executive Director of the GOI DDR Committee. The PM's
advisor on reconciliation and DDR announced this on February
28. The Chief of Staff also mentioned a planned March 4
conference to gather former Saddam-era soldiers for potential
reintegration and/or pensi
ons.
--------------
BSP Economic Surge
--------------
6. (S) DCM advised Abdullah that Secretary Rice anticipated
difficult congressional hearings for the supplemental funding
intended to support the Baghdad Security Plan's "economic
surge". Abdullah stated that the PM understood that future
U.S. expenditures were likely to be lower, but emphasized
that U.S. support and expertise were as important as U.S.
financial assistance.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KNNP PARM PHUM PINS PNAT MOPS DA IZ
SUBJECT: DCM METS WITH PM CHIEF OF STAFF ON NEIGHBORS
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT, DEBAATH
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) On February 27, Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel
Speckhard met with Tariq Abdullah, Chief of Staff to Iraqi
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to discuss ideas for the
upcoming Neighbor's Conference that Iraq will host in March.
Abdullah said Maliki's government was pleased by the Council
of Minister's approval of the draft hydrocarbon law and
thought prospects for quick Council of Representatives
passage were good. Abdullah stated that PM Maliki was
considering suspending the current DeBaathification
principles as a show of reconciliation and to spur creation
of a fair and realistic DeBaathification law.
--------------
Neighbors Conference Announced
--------------
2. (S) DCM Speckhard congratulated COS Abdullah on the
announcement of the Neighbor's Conference to be held in
Baghdad in March. The US, Iran, Syria and other regional
nations have been invited to participate. DCM suggested that
the PM's office issue a statement on the event and offered
Abdullah some proposed language for the Maliki's
consideration. Abdullah agreed that it would be a good idea
for the PM to establish a public position and welcomed the
draft statement.
--------------
Hydrocarbon Law: Possible Quick CoR Passage?
--------------
3. (S) DCM told Abdullah that Sunday's passage of the draft
Hydrocarbon Law by the Council of Ministers was an important
step in promoting Iraqi unity and economic development.
Abdullah agreed, quoting the Minister of Planning saying it
was "the greatest achievement since the passage of the Iraqi
constitution." Abdullah added that the solid support the
draft received in the Council of Ministers augured well for
its swift passage when the Council of Representatives (CoR)
returns in early March.
-------------- -
Debaathification, Evenhandedness, Boosting DDR
-------------- -
4. (S) DCM emphasized the need for the PM to show bold
leadership on Debaathification, as the creation and passage
of a fair law is crucial to developing national unity.
Abdullah responded that Maliki was considering suspending the
current Debaathification principles in a show of
reconciliation that he hoped would spur efforts to pass a
reasonable and just law. DCM replied that this would be an
outstanding display of leadership on Maliki's part and would
send an important positive signal to the Sunni community.
Abdullah agreed, saying that it was a necessary step, adding
that it was important not to punish former party members who
had committed no crimes.
5. (S) Abdullah emphasized the PM did not "play favorites"
with the militias and that suggestions by many bordered on
"slanderous." Abdullah pointed out the PM's recent actions
in support of the BSP and against armed Shia elements
Diwaniyah that resulted in the arrest of 159 suspected
militia members. DCM agreed that Maliki has shown great
commitment to even handedness during the BSP. DCM Speckhard
stated that the Disarming, Demobilization, and Reintegration
(DDR) process seemed to have stalled and suggested that he
and COS Abdullah make a joint presentation to help reenergize
it. Abdullah said he thought this was a good idea. He also
mentioned that he was appointing a Baghdad University
professor of political science, Dr. Khalil al-Rubaie, as the
Executive Director of the GOI DDR Committee. The PM's
advisor on reconciliation and DDR announced this on February
28. The Chief of Staff also mentioned a planned March 4
conference to gather former Saddam-era soldiers for potential
reintegration and/or pensi
ons.
--------------
BSP Economic Surge
--------------
6. (S) DCM advised Abdullah that Secretary Rice anticipated
difficult congressional hearings for the supplemental funding
intended to support the Baghdad Security Plan's "economic
surge". Abdullah stated that the PM understood that future
U.S. expenditures were likely to be lower, but emphasized
that U.S. support and expertise were as important as U.S.
financial assistance.
KHALILZAD