Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD1651
2008-05-30 09:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
how-toVZCZCXRO6701 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1651 1510903 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 300903Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7599 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001651
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: TAWAFUQ WITHDRAWS LIST OF NOMINEES
REF: A) BAGHDAD 1634 B) BAGHDAD 1620
Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001651
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: TAWAFUQ WITHDRAWS LIST OF NOMINEES
REF: A) BAGHDAD 1634 B) BAGHDAD 1620
Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
1. (C) On May 29, Tawafuq Spokesman Salim Jibouri described
to PolOffs the rationale behind the Tawafuq bloc's May 27
statement withdrawing its slate of ministerial nominees.
Salim highlighted the frustration of Tawafuq members with PM
Maliki's pattern of raising new objections to the nominees
each time he sits down with Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi.
In Tawafuq's view, this pattern calls into question Maliki's
seriousness about bringing Tawafuq back into the cabinet.
2. (C) When asked about the PM's proposal to keep Planning
Minister Ali Baban in place for a few more months before
replacing him with a Tawafuq nominee, Salim doubted whether
Maliki would keep his word. Nevertheless, he said Tawafuq
could accept such a compromise if the U.S. would guarantee
that Maliki will deliver his part of the bargain. Jibouri
added that the decision to withdraw Tawafuq's list of
nominees was coordinated with Hashimi, who is traveling in
Jordan. The next step will be for Hashimi and Maliki to have
a frank discussion when they each return to Iraq, after which
Tawafuq will re-evaluate Maliki's seriousness about reaching
an agreement.
3. (C) Comment: We expect the negotiations between Maliki
and Hashimi will pick up where they left off once both return
from travel outside the country. The protracted talks over
Tawafuq's return have been difficult, but sources close to
both Maliki and Hashimi say they have been negotiating in
good faith and without the personal rancor that impeded
cooperation in the past. End Comment.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: TAWAFUQ WITHDRAWS LIST OF NOMINEES
REF: A) BAGHDAD 1634 B) BAGHDAD 1620
Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
1. (C) On May 29, Tawafuq Spokesman Salim Jibouri described
to PolOffs the rationale behind the Tawafuq bloc's May 27
statement withdrawing its slate of ministerial nominees.
Salim highlighted the frustration of Tawafuq members with PM
Maliki's pattern of raising new objections to the nominees
each time he sits down with Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi.
In Tawafuq's view, this pattern calls into question Maliki's
seriousness about bringing Tawafuq back into the cabinet.
2. (C) When asked about the PM's proposal to keep Planning
Minister Ali Baban in place for a few more months before
replacing him with a Tawafuq nominee, Salim doubted whether
Maliki would keep his word. Nevertheless, he said Tawafuq
could accept such a compromise if the U.S. would guarantee
that Maliki will deliver his part of the bargain. Jibouri
added that the decision to withdraw Tawafuq's list of
nominees was coordinated with Hashimi, who is traveling in
Jordan. The next step will be for Hashimi and Maliki to have
a frank discussion when they each return to Iraq, after which
Tawafuq will re-evaluate Maliki's seriousness about reaching
an agreement.
3. (C) Comment: We expect the negotiations between Maliki
and Hashimi will pick up where they left off once both return
from travel outside the country. The protracted talks over
Tawafuq's return have been difficult, but sources close to
both Maliki and Hashimi say they have been negotiating in
good faith and without the personal rancor that impeded
cooperation in the past. End Comment.
BUTENIS