ABDEL AZIZ AL-HAKIM ON SOFA/SFA AND TAWAFUQ RETURN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001612 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ IR SUBJECT: ABDEL AZIZ AL-HAKIM ON SOFA/SFA AND TAWAFUQ RETURN TO GOI BAGHDAD 00001612 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a May 25 meeting, ISCI Chairman Abdel Aziz al-Hakim told the Ambassador that Grand Ayatollah Sistani and the Najaf-based Marja'iyyah will support a bilateral security agreement with the USG as long it upholds Iraq's sovereignty, is transparent, and draws the support of all Iraq's communities. Flanked by his sons Amar and Muhsin, Hakim noted that many points of the agreement require clarification and he and his sons identified protection of Iraqi assets from legal claims stemming from the Saddam era as an issue of particular concern. Looking somewhat healthier since our last meeting in April, Hakim acknowledged that Iran opposes the agreement, and he attributed much of Tehran's suspicion to lack of understanding of the agreement's intent. He said ISCI supports the return of Tawafuq to the cabinet, adding that he had discussed this matter the previous day with Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi and had encouraged Prime Minister al-Maliki to finalize the matter in the next few days. Hakim expressed satisfaction with the GOI's ongoing security operation in Sadr City and stated that militias must not be allowed to operate in Iraq. End Summary. ISCI and Sistani OK with SFA/SOFA, But Clarification Needed -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Hacking and rasping intermittently but looking to be in reasonably good health through an hour-long meeting, the black-turbaned Hakim said that Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and the Najaf-based Marja'iyyah will support a bilateral security agreement with the USG as long it upholds Iraq's sovereignty, is concluded in a transparent manner, and has the support of all Iraqi communities. Eldest son and ISCI heir apparent Amar added that Sistani's son Muhammad Ridha also expressed unease about immunities granted to private security contractors, as well as concern that the agreement will not be ratified by the U.S. Congress and may not be honored by future administrations. Hakim noted that VP Hashemi had also voiced concerns about the agreement in a recent discussion. The Ambassador pointed out the agreement is not an international treaty but rather an executive agreement that need not be ratified by the legislative branch. He stated that GOI-USG consultations over the agreement had progressed to the point that active engagement of Iraq's leaders is now needed to resolve remaining issues, and he urged Hakim to support the convening of the Executive Committee and Masoud Barzani to work on the agreement. Hakim said that PM Maliki should have the lead role since the other leaders did not have comparable staffs and expertise. Hakim and his sons added that many points of the agreement require clarification and they identified protection of Iraqi assets from legal claims stemming from the Saddam era as an issue of particular concern. The Ambassador noted that the President had recently renewed an executive order protecting Iraqi assets in the U.S. from such claims. ¶3. (C) Hakim acknowledged that Iran opposes the agreement, and he attributed much of Tehran's suspicion to lack of understanding of the agreement's intent, which he said was to serve Iraq's interests. He said that he had recently undertaken medical treatment in Tehran, where he also had occasion to discuss the matter with former Foreign Minister Velayati. He said Velayati accepted Hakim's contention that the agreement is not a secret deal but rather a transparent pact that requires CoR approval before it goes into effect. Hakim said his son Muhsin, who heads ISCI's representative office in Tehran, recently published an article in a Tehran newspaper about Iraq's need to emerge from UN Chapter 7 authority. Tawafuq Return, Elections, GOI Crackdown in Sadr City -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Hakim said ISCI supports the return of Tawafuq to the cabinet, adding that he had discussed this matter the previous day with VP Hashemi. He said the UIA, of which he is chairman, also supported Tawafuq's return and that he communicated this to Prime Minister Maliki along with his encouragement to finalize the matter. Hakim stated that a united government is part of Iraq's strength, and said he asked Maliki to wrap up the issue before he leaves for the International Compact with Iraq meeting in Stockholm. Hakim stated ISCI looks forward to upcoming provincial elections, which will attract greater public participation than the 2005 polls. He expressed satisfaction with progress so far in the GOI's ongoing security operation in Sadr City, stating that all political parties must be allowed to operate and open branch offices in Sadr City pursuant to the UIA-Sadrist Trend cease-fire agreement. Hakim said that militias must not be allowed to operate in Iraq, relating that JAM had taken over BAGHDAD 00001612 002 OF 002 a number of mosques in Sadr City from which they perpetrated various criminal schemes. CROCKER