Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD1536
2008-05-19 02:48:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
U.S.-IRAQ SOFA NEGOTIATIONS: ROUND 2 PRODUCES SOME
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S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001536
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL KTIA IZ
SUBJECT: U.S.-IRAQ SOFA NEGOTIATIONS: ROUND 2 PRODUCES SOME
AGREED TEXT
REF: BAGHDAD 1037
Classified By: Acting PolMil Counselor Karen H. Sasahara. Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001536
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL KTIA IZ
SUBJECT: U.S.-IRAQ SOFA NEGOTIATIONS: ROUND 2 PRODUCES SOME
AGREED TEXT
REF: BAGHDAD 1037
Classified By: Acting PolMil Counselor Karen H. Sasahara. Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (S) SUMMARY: The U.S. and Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA) negotiation teams met in Baghdad April 22 to May 11.
The talks have recessed at the request of the GOI, which will
be sending part of its SOFA negotiating team to Turkey,
Germany, Japan, and Korea to discuss with those governments
the implementation of their SOFAs with the U.S. The two
sides made substantial progress in negotiating the text,
coming to agreement on a number of provisions. Key
differences remain, including on Status of Personnel,
Authorities for Combat and Detention Operations, Jurisdiction
over Certain Contractors, and Taxation. The teams plan to
reconvene in early June, possibly in Washington. END SUMMARY.
2. (S) The two sides came to agreement on the following
provisions of the draft SOFA:
Article II: Pol-Mil Consultations
Article III: Respect for Laws
Article IV: Definitions: 5 of 7 paragraphs agreed
Article V: Property Ownership
Article XIII: Bearing Arms and Wearing Uniforms
Article XVII: Licenses
Article XVIII: Official Vehicles
Article XXIII: Attachments
Article XXIV: Implementation and Disputes: 2 of 3 paragraphs
agreed
Article XXV: Entry into Force, Amendment and Termination
3. (S) Other articles are near agreement:
Preamble
Article I: Scope and Purpose
Article VI: Use of Agreed Facilities and Areas
Article VII: Positioning of Defense Materiel
Article VIII: Protection of the Environment
Article XIV: Entry and Exit
Article IX: Movement of Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft
Article XX: Currency and Exchange
Annex A: List of Agreed Facilities and Areas
4. (S) Articles and Provisions Requiring Substantial
Additional Work:
Article X: Contracting
Article XI: Utilities and Telecommunications
Article XII: Status of Personnel
Article XV: Import/Export
Article XVI: Taxation
Article XIX: Service Support Activities
Article XXI: Claims
Article XXII: Extension to other States
Attachment 1: Combat Operations
Attachment 2: Detention Operations
Attachment: Jurisdiction over Certain Contractors
5. (S) COMMENT: Negotiations are proceeding at a good pace,
and the teams expect to come to agreement on substantial
portions of the text when they meet again in June. END
COMMENT.
6. (U) Lead SOFA Negotiator Ambassador Loftis has cleared
this message.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL KTIA IZ
SUBJECT: U.S.-IRAQ SOFA NEGOTIATIONS: ROUND 2 PRODUCES SOME
AGREED TEXT
REF: BAGHDAD 1037
Classified By: Acting PolMil Counselor Karen H. Sasahara. Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (S) SUMMARY: The U.S. and Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA) negotiation teams met in Baghdad April 22 to May 11.
The talks have recessed at the request of the GOI, which will
be sending part of its SOFA negotiating team to Turkey,
Germany, Japan, and Korea to discuss with those governments
the implementation of their SOFAs with the U.S. The two
sides made substantial progress in negotiating the text,
coming to agreement on a number of provisions. Key
differences remain, including on Status of Personnel,
Authorities for Combat and Detention Operations, Jurisdiction
over Certain Contractors, and Taxation. The teams plan to
reconvene in early June, possibly in Washington. END SUMMARY.
2. (S) The two sides came to agreement on the following
provisions of the draft SOFA:
Article II: Pol-Mil Consultations
Article III: Respect for Laws
Article IV: Definitions: 5 of 7 paragraphs agreed
Article V: Property Ownership
Article XIII: Bearing Arms and Wearing Uniforms
Article XVII: Licenses
Article XVIII: Official Vehicles
Article XXIII: Attachments
Article XXIV: Implementation and Disputes: 2 of 3 paragraphs
agreed
Article XXV: Entry into Force, Amendment and Termination
3. (S) Other articles are near agreement:
Preamble
Article I: Scope and Purpose
Article VI: Use of Agreed Facilities and Areas
Article VII: Positioning of Defense Materiel
Article VIII: Protection of the Environment
Article XIV: Entry and Exit
Article IX: Movement of Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft
Article XX: Currency and Exchange
Annex A: List of Agreed Facilities and Areas
4. (S) Articles and Provisions Requiring Substantial
Additional Work:
Article X: Contracting
Article XI: Utilities and Telecommunications
Article XII: Status of Personnel
Article XV: Import/Export
Article XVI: Taxation
Article XIX: Service Support Activities
Article XXI: Claims
Article XXII: Extension to other States
Attachment 1: Combat Operations
Attachment 2: Detention Operations
Attachment: Jurisdiction over Certain Contractors
5. (S) COMMENT: Negotiations are proceeding at a good pace,
and the teams expect to come to agreement on substantial
portions of the text when they meet again in June. END
COMMENT.
6. (U) Lead SOFA Negotiator Ambassador Loftis has cleared
this message.
CROCKER