RUSSIA WILL OPEN A CONSULATE IN NORTHERN IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 004601 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL IQ RS SUBJECT: RUSSIA WILL OPEN A CONSULATE IN NORTHERN IRAQ Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The MFA Middle East Department told us that Russia plans to open a consulate in the Kurdish regional city Irbil in October, with the possibility to open another in Basrah. MFA official Elbrus Kutrashev expressed concern that the activities of Russian diplomats in Baghdad remain limited due to security concerns. Similarly, the MFA noted that Russia continues to deny Iraqi requests to purchase Russian military equipment, fearing that such activities could create the impression that Russia was taking sides in the sectarian fighting, thereby increasing the risk of violence against Russian diplomats. There has been no official Russian reaction to the plan for Iraq presented by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, although the MFA told us that Russia is concerned U.S. troops will be removed from Iraq before the country is stable. End summary. Russian Consulate in Irbil -------------- ¶2. (C) According to Elbrus Kutrashev of the MFA Middle East Department, Russia and Iraq will sign a reciprocal agreement during the September 18-21 visit of Iraqi FM Zebari to Moscow that permits each to open two consulates in the other country. Russia will be allowed to open a consulate in Irbil and a second in Basrah, although the GOR has no intention of opening a second consulate until the security situation in Basrah improves considerably. (Note: Russia historically maintained a consulate in Basrah, but it was closed in 1991 just as the Persian Gulf War began. End note.) The MFA understands that the Iraqi government has no intention of opening consulates in Russia at this time. Security in Baghdad Significantly Limits Embassy Activities -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Kutrashev explained that the relative safety of Iraq's Kurdish region will allow the Russian diplomats posted there to carry out their duties, unlike those in Baghdad who live as virtual "prisoners" in the Russian Embassy. Leaving their compound as little as possible, the Russian diplomats are limited in their ability to carry out political reporting or provide consular assistance to the approximately 100 Russians working in Iraq on electrical and water supply projects. Kutrashev, who served at the Russian Embassy in Baghdad from 2003 to 2005, told us that there is an ongoing debate within the MFA about the utility of keeping personnel in Baghdad, with some officials, particularly those who served in Iraq, questioning why the Embassy still exists. We expressed our concern for the safety of Russian diplomats in Iraq, but stressed the importance of Russia maintaining a presence in Baghdad and supporting the Iraqi government. ¶4. (C) Commenting on reports in the Russian press that the GOR sold arms to Iraq, Kutrashev said that the GOR had denied Iraqi requests to purchase Russian small arms and helicopters to avoid giving the appearance that Russia was taking sides in the Iraqi sectarian divide, which would increase the risk of violence against Russian diplomats. The GOR also feared that the weapons might fall into the wrong hands should Iraq descend into a full-scale civil war. On September 17, the MFA issued a further statement, rebutting media reports of M1-17 helicopter sales to Iraq. No Official Reaction to Petraeus/Crocker Report -------------- -- ¶5. (C) Kutrashev noted that there was no reaction within the MFA to Senate testimony of General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker on U.S. plans for Iraq. He did say that reports of Russians taking pleasure in seeing the U.S. "humiliated" in Iraq do not reflect the views of Russian policymakers who understand the importance of U.S. success. Kutrashev offered that Russia has nothing to gain from a U.S. "defeat" in Iraq, nor does it wish that the U.S. pull out too soon, which would only cause the security situation to deteriorate. While it may be too late for a "real victory," Russian officials hope U.S. forces stay in Iraq long enough to ensure that the country is stable. (Note: Putin made the same point in his September 14 meeting with foreign journalists, academics, and policymakers. End note.) Burns