NORWAY CONSIDERS WHETHER TO ASSIST IN IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000031

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2017
TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PREL IZ NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY CONSIDERS WHETHER TO ASSIST IN IRAQ

REF: A. STATE 3592


B. OSLO 30

Classified By: Kevin M. Johnson for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. In a January 11 meeting, the Ambassador
briefed MFA State Secretary Raymond Johansen on the
President's Iraqi speech. The Ambassador highlighted that
success is critical for Iraq, for the region and for the
world and emphasized the focus on reconstruction and
reconciliation-issues of particular interest for the GON.
Johansen appreciated the briefing and welcomed key parts of
the strategy. He said the GON will continue to try to
promote Iraqi religious dialogue and would at least look at
the issue of reconstruction assistance for Iraq. In addition
to this meeting, the Ambassador reviewed the plan with the
Iraqi Ambassador to Norway and Post highlighted the speech
through its website. End Summary.

Briefing on the Speech
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2. (C) With the Foreign Minister in Madrid and the Prime
Minister unavailable today, the Ambassador met with MFA State
Secretary Johansen to deliver ref a points on the President's

SIPDIS
Iraqi speech. The Ambassador highlighted that success is
critical for Iraq, for the region and for the world. The
current situation is unacceptable, hence the new strategy
which stresses leadership by the Iraqi government with strong
support by the US. The Ambassador outlined the political,
economic, diplomatic and security aspects of the plan. He
emphasized the focus on reconstruction and
reconciliation-issues of particular interest for the GON. He
closed stressing that we all have a lot at stake in Iraq and
that we hope Norway will participate in the International
Compact for Iraq and offer its development expertise in Iraq.
He also urged them to be publicly supportive of the new
policy.


3. (C) Johansen thanked the Ambassador for the briefing and
welcomed the fact that more troops was just one element of an
overall plan. He also welcomed the focus on Anbar, calling
it a bold but necessary step. He agreed that it is up to the
Iraqis to start true reconstruction. He noted with interest
the plan calls for the Iraqis to resume talks with Syria and
Iran. Both sides discussed the disruptive role Iran is
playing and the linkages among conflicts in the Middle East.
Johansen also appreciated the reference to Turkey's concerns,
which he thought was key in keeping Iraq from breaking apart.

Norway Looking at Reconciliation and Reconstruction
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4. (C) Turning to Norway's role, Johansen noted that the GON
helped facilitate a meeting of Iraqi religious leaders in
Oslo in December. Those leaders said they never talked
together in Iraq, but in Norway were able to do so even
though they are very far apart on the political/religious
spectrum. The GON will continue to try to promote religious
dialogue, an area where they have particular experience.


5. (C) Johansen also thought religious centers in the Middle
East (Mecca, An Najaf, Qom) could play a greater role by
issuing Fatwahs against killings. He questioned the lack of
willingness by regional players to press this point. The
Ambassador noted the Secretary will have an opportunity to
discuss some of these concerns when she starts her trip
January 12.


6. (C) Finally, Johansen promised the GON will also look at
reconstruction assistance for Iraq, although they have had
little involvement so far. He reiterated the point made
earlier this week (see ref b) that the GON's highest
priorities in the Middle East are the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and Lebanon. But, he said they would consider
Iraq's needs.

Other Outreach
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7. (C) The Ambassador spoke to the Iraqi Ambassador to
Norway Bamarni (who is currently resident in Sweden) and
encouraged him to speak to the GON and the media about the
hopes and aspirations of the Iraqi people. While Bamarni did
not have instruction from the GOI, he is thinking of coming
to Norway next week and asked for assistance with media
contacts. Post will compile names and contact details for
him. Post is also linking the President's speech and
accompanying documents to its website where it will be
introduced by a short quote from the Ambassador explaining
why Norway should focus on Iraq. Post also corresponded with
the top aid agencies in Norway to alert them to the key
elements of the speech and encourage them to do more in Iraq.
WHITNEY