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

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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
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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

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a number of mosques in Sadr City from which they perpetrated
various criminal schemes.
CROCKER