FM TAIANA ON IRAQ: DECISION ON IRAQ EMBASSY WILL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000081 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA FOR DUDDY, BARNES, FRIEDMAN, AND BLAKENEY NEA/I FOR WARRICK BAGHDAD FOR DAMON WILSON AND MARGARET SCOBEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2037 TAGS: PREL OFDP KCOM AR IQ SUBJECT: FM TAIANA ON IRAQ: DECISION ON IRAQ EMBASSY WILL TAKE TIME REF: A. SECSTATE 03592 B. BUENOS AIRES 21 Classified By: AMBASSADOR E. A. WAYNE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Summary. On January 16, the Ambassador briefed Foreign Minister Taiana on the President's new Iraq strategy and urged the GOA to allow the Iraqi government to reestablish its Embassy in Buenos Aires. Taiana expressed hope that the USG is successful in Iraq and added that although the GOA does not agree with all elements of the new strategy, the GOA will not publicly criticize the United States. On Iraq's request to reestablish its Embassy, Taiana maintained that the issue would take time to resolve. He added that it would be very difficult for the GOA to extend the visas for the Iraqi diplomats that would allow them to stay in the country to wait for a decision. Given the sensitivities surrounding the GOA's current efforts to seek justice for the eight former Iranian officials and one Hezbollah leader implicated in the 1994 AMIA terrorist bombing, Taiana expressed concern that some may erroneously link and confuse the two issues. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On January 16, the Ambassador briefed Foreign Minister Taiana on the President's new Iraq strategy per ref ¶A. The Ambassador noted that the Secretary was currently traveling in the Middle East to seek support for the new strategy as well as efforts to restart the dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians. The Ambassador explained that the USG looks to strengthen moderates in Iraq as well as help the Iraqi government better deliver the benefits of democracy to its people. Taiana stated that the GOA hopes the USG is successful in Iraq and that it is able to strengthen moderates, reduce violence, and restore political stability. Although the GOA does not agree with all of the elements of the new strategy, Taiana underscored that there is "a lot at stake" and that the GOA has "acted responsibly by not publicly criticizing the United States." ¶3. (C) Turning to the GOI's request to reesstablish its Embassy in Buenos Aires (REF B),the Ambassador urged Taiana to reconsider the request favorably. While noting that Iraq has Embassies in Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela, Taiana maintained that the GOA would not make a decision on the request any time soon. He underscored the "poor timing" of the request, alluded to the extended summer holiday, and added that the December 30, 2006 execution of Saddam Hussein did not help. When the Ambassador asked whether the GOA could extend the visas for the Iraqi diplomats while they wait for a decision, Taiana reiterated that it would be very difficult to do so. Given the sensitivities surrounding the GOA's efforts to seek justice for the eight former Iranian officials and one Hezbollah leader implicated in the 1994 AMIA terrorist bombing, Taiana expressed concern that some may erroneously link and confuse the two issues. The last thing the GOA needs is a photo of Iraqi Minister Alani and AMIA Special Prosecutor Nisman together in news reports, he added. ¶4. (C) Embassy informed Iraqi Minister Alani that the Ambassador raised the issue with Taiana, but that the GOA insists that it will take time to make a decision. Minister Alani thanked the Ambassador for his efforts, and informed post that he and a colleague will depart Argentina on January 20 per instructions from Baghdad. According to Alani, another colleague left January 15. WAYNE