FM ZEBARI DISCUSSES NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000156 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ SUBJECT: FM ZEBARI DISCUSSES NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS WITH MENENDEZ Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Patricia A. Butenis for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On January 20, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and the Deputy Chief of Mission met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari to discuss Iraq's relationship with its neighbors, the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and current Iraqi legislation. Zebari updated Menendez on the upcoming Neighbors Ministerial in April, re-energizing the working groups, and plans for new missions from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, and Kuwait to open in Baghdad. He also described Iraq's cooperation with Turkey in reducing the PKK threat, and gave a frank assessment of Iran's attempts to gain influence in Iraq. Zebari assured Menendez that Iraq was serious about moving forward with the SOFA and hoped to have it settled by July. On the provincial powers legislation, Zebari said most Iraqi people wanted a strong federal government. He also said that the legislative priorities were hydrocarbons, provincial powers, revenue sharing and elections law. He stated, "this package of legislation will show others that the Iraqis are willing to live together and share the wealth of the nation." End Summary. ARAB NEIGHBORS -------------- ¶2. (C) On January 20, Senator Robert Menedez (D-NJ) met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari. Menendez asked Zebari how he saw Iraq's relations with Iran, Turkey and its Arab neighbors. Zebari started with the Arab neighbors and described a recent Arab League Ministerial meeting to discuss the situation in Lebanon, during which he met with President Mubarak of Egypt and the Emir of Kuwait. Both indicated they were working to re-open their embassies in Baghdad. He said that for the first time in the four years he has been Foreign Minister, he has seen a positive change in the Arab neighbors' attitude toward Iraq. They are seeing progress in the security situation, in economics and in national reconciliation. They also see that the current regime in Iraq is here to stay, and that helps. Zebari stated his plan for 2008 is to focus on strengthening these relationships. He also mentioned that the Neighbors Ministerial is to be held in Kuwait in April and that he had sent out a letter the night before inviting the three working groups to Baghdad in the next few weeks to re-energize their work. �0A; TURKEY -------------- ¶3. (C) Zebari said the relationship with Turkey was a good one -- Turkey has a strong embassy here and a consulate in Mosul, and Iraq has a presence in both Ankara and Istanbul. He said the problem is the PKK. He described Turkey's concern as "legitimate" and said that Iraq has condemned the actions of the PKK. However, he believes Turkey's response has been out of proportion to the threat, and with troops massed on the border, he fears an invasion. He said it was not only destabilizing, but an embarrassment to the U.S. to have a NATO ally prepared to invade a country the U.S. is charged with protecting. Zebari described Iraq's action to close front charities that are raising money for the PKK and how KRG has taken concrete steps to help. He likened it to the situation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and said it was hard to control such remote areas. He is trying to convince the Turks that this situation cannot be solved by force alone; there needs to be a political perspective, also. IRAN -------------- ¶4. (C) Menendez asked about Iran's interests in Iraq. The Foreign Minister said the two countries have had historical grievances, including the waterway issue and reparations from the first Gulf war. However he pulled no punches in describing Iran's main interest as dominating Iraq. He said the Iranians want a friendly government in Baghdad. That is one of the reasons they have reined in the Mahdi Army (JAM). The violence had backfired and undermined a government the Iranians support. Iran is also trying to strengthen religious ties in order to extend its influence as much as possible. They want a regional alliance of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah. He said Syria has similar goals, but is using economic integration and security concerns to increase its influence. Zebari opined that Iran fears the U.S. presence in the region and he fears they want to settle the score with the U.S. in Iraq. He told the Iranians, "this is an opportunity -- the U.S. won't be here forever, and we're destined to live together." SOFA -------------- BAGHDAD 00000156 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) The last statement prompted Menendez to ask about the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Zebari said he had discussed it with the Secretary when she was in town. He informed Menendez that the members of the 3 plus 1 were each designating a representative to the Iraq team, and promised that the negotiations would be conducted in a professional and meaningful way, unlike the UNSCR renewal of the MNF-I mandate in December. He said that timing was key. Although the Iraqi security forces are not ready to take over entirely, the agreement cannot be open-ended. It is a matter of sovereignty and other sensitive issues, such as command of the Iraqi forces, the immunity of security details, and who controls entry into Iraq. When asked about the Minister of Defense's comments on how the Iraqi armed forces will not be able to secure the country from external forces until 2018, Zebari said the Minister had misspoken and was answering the question as a soldier and not a diplomat. He said 2007 had been a tough year, but that he thinks Iraq has passed the threat of sectarian and civil war. Now there is international support, money in the budget because of high oil prices, and better reconciliation -- "a single sect cannot govern Iraq." LEGISLATION -------------- ¶6. (C) Menendez apologized for asking a domestic policy question, but wanted the opinion of the Foreign Minister on the domestic aspects of the provincial powers legislation and the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Zebari opined that the majority of Iraqis have the desire for a strong federal government -- it is part of the Constitution. He listed the main legislation that needs to be finalized as the laws on hydrocarbons, provincial powers, revenue sharing and elections. He also lamented the work of the Council of Representatives (CoR),saying that they needed to work with the executive branch more and manage legislation better, including obtaining a quorum and coalition-building. Zebari also mentioned the need for the Awakening movements to be integrated immediately, into either the Iraqi security forces or the government or this could become an explosive situation. In the end, it is about reconciling the nation. According to Zebari, "this package of legislation will show others that the Iraqis are willing to live together and share the wealth of the nation." ¶7. (U) CODEL Menedez did not have the opportunity to clear this cable before departure. CROCKER