Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BERLIN515
2007-03-14 10:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

IRAQ COMPACT UN MEETING: GERMAN RESPONSE

Tags:  EAID ECON EFIN EINV PGOV PREL IZ GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4786
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHRL #0515 0731006
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 141006Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7471
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0447
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000515 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2017
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN EINV PGOV PREL IZ GM
SUBJECT: IRAQ COMPACT UN MEETING: GERMAN RESPONSE

REF: SECSTATE 29448

Classified By: DCM John M. Koenig for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000515

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2017
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN EINV PGOV PREL IZ GM
SUBJECT: IRAQ COMPACT UN MEETING: GERMAN RESPONSE

REF: SECSTATE 29448

Classified By: DCM John M. Koenig for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. Post delivered ref demarche to the
Chancellery and MFA to urge senior German participation. The
German government's initial plan was to have an
ambassador-level official from its UN Mission represent
Germany at the event. Embassy has reclamaed the German
government at senior levels noting the importance of Germany,
particularly given its EU and G-8 Presidency, sending high
representation from capital. Officials have agreed to
re-examine German plans in light of the Embassy's request.
Foreign Ministry officials also report Germany plans to
contribute one million dollars to the UN's request for
"Middle Ring" security and plans are underway to announce a
"significant" contribution to Iraq's reconstruction when
Foreign Minister Steinmeier participates in an Iraq-related
ministerial. End Summary.


2. (C) DCM urged Chancellery Deputy DG for Foreign Affairs
Rolf Nikel March 12 that Germany send State Secretary-level
participation, especially in view of German EU and G-8
Presidencies. Nikel said he would discuss the issue with the
MFA and asked about other countries' expected level of
participation.


3. (C) MFA Iraq Team Leader Ruediger Lotz told Global Affairs
Officer the twin EU and G-8 Presidencies made difficult
sending high level representation on short notice, but a high
level phone call from Washington might help persuade German
officials to change their minds. Americas Director Christoph
Eichhorn, responding to EMIN's points about the importance of
Germany sending senior level representation to the Iraq
Compact event from capital, noted he had not been aware of
the meeting but understood the USG's points. He agreed to
make inquiries within the ministry and also push to
reconsider the plans for German representation. Mission will
continue to follow up on this issue.


4. (C) Lotz also asked about the staging of subsequent high
level meetings, including whether, for example, the
ministerial concluding the International Compact with Iraq
(ICI) and a ministerial meeting of Iraq's neighbors might be
scheduled to run on consecutive days or even be combined.
Germany sees a role for the G-8 in Iraq, Lotz explained,
including possibly as co-chairs of working groups of experts
set up subsequent to a ministerial.


5. (C) German Foreign Minister Steinmeier hopes to attend
such a ministerial, Lotz said, and he confided that his
office had been tasked to develop a German contribution
"significantly above what we have done so far" possibly in
the capacity building, police training, and/or rule of law
areas. Such participation in a ministerial would signal a
new phase for Iraq -- and for Germany -- Lotz said. The MFA,
including at senior levels, is aware that the Iraq issue will
remain a challenge for some time, he continued, and Germany
has to do more to help with the challenges.
TIMKEN JR