LETTER FROM COR SPEAKER MAHMOUD MASHADANI TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001498 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ SUBJECT: LETTER FROM COR SPEAKER MAHMOUD MASHADANI TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Council of Representatives (CoR) Speaker Mahmoud Mashadani delivered a letter to the Ambassador on May 11 addressed to President George W. Bush. The letter was not discussed in the meeting. ¶2. (C) The verbatim operative text follows as received in English: Begin Text. H.E. George W. Bush President of the United States of America, Washington - DC Mr. President, In the beginning please allow me to greet you for your principle attitude in supporting Iraq and your brave decision of increasing the number of American troops instead of withdrawing them until completing their missions in spite of the resistances and restrictions in both the Official and Public American level. Politicians in Iraq insist on building up their political experience according to the liberal and democratic understandings and looking forward to help their brothers and friends, to move on in spite of all the difficulties and challenges. What happened after the 9th of April 2003 required great effort and this is what we determine. The United States of AMERICA has put great efforts in sending their best politicians and military commanders to Iraq to assist us represented in General David Patraeus (sic) the Commander of the American troops to Iraq and Major General Stone Deputy General Commander for Prison Affairs. They are the best examples for such commanders, they reflect the true desire in helping Iraq and achieving success on the land, Moreover, the harmony they were able to establish with their Iraqi Co-Workers politically and military. During the leadership of General Patraeus (sic),obvious improvements have been achieved in the security situation this lead to the limitation of sectarian militias whom are supported by some neighbor countries to Iraq. In addition to the stability of many high hot- areas and opening discussion channels with leaders of the political parties to support the national reconciliation. Regarding Major General Stone the American Prisons Commander in Iraq, he has participated actively and effectively in releasing a large number of non-convicted prisoners and his direct supervision on the program of training and qualifying the prisoners before their release. The decision of transferring them may harm the situation in Iraq in many political, security and social ways. Their presence will save us the time in which we are in need of, specially in this period and in the near future when the local government elections of the Provinces will take place on the 1st of October 2008. We hope Your Excellency to keep these two brave commanders, the friends of Iraq and Iraqis to complete their period among us or postpone their transfer execution to another of time. Accept our best respect Mr. President. Dr. Mahmood al-Mishhadani Speaker Iraqi Council of Representatives 11th May 2008 End Text. CROCKER