ISCI LEADER ABDUL AZIZ AL-HAKIM ENCOURAGING ON

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002160

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ IR
SUBJECT: ISCI LEADER ABDUL AZIZ AL-HAKIM ENCOURAGING ON
SFA/SOFA

Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) Summary. In a July 1 meeting, Islamic Supreme
Council of Iraq (ISCI) leader Syed Abdul Aziz al-Hakim and
the Ambassador discussed SFA/SOFA negotiations, provincial
elections, and post-operations reconstruction. Hakim
expressed support for reaching a strategic framework
agreement (SFA) and said he was satisfied with PM Maliki's
handling of negotiations. He expressed enthusiasm about
provincial elections in general but sounded a non-committal,
cautious note on election law timelines, saying he "would
like elections to happen this year according to a new
election law." Hakim pressed for more assistance to improve
electricity, water, and fuel services, and also warned
Ambassador Crocker that many of his supporters increasingly
believe that the U.S. tacitly supports the Mujahadeen-e-Khalq
(MEK),creating animosity among Shia. Although reportedly in
the late stages of terminal lung cancer, Hakim appeared
relatively strong. End Summary.

SFA/SOFA Negotiations
--------------


2. (S/NF) After returning from a day-long trip to the holy
Shia city of Samarra -- which Hakim said was his first visit
in 20 years, made possible only recently because of the
improving security situation -- Hakim listened attentively as
Ambassador Crocker briefed the way forward on the U.S.-Iraqi
strategic partnership. The Ambassador stressed that we are
close to an agreement on an SFA with a bridging protocol that
will address the goal of bringing Iraq out of UN Chapter 7
authority, while noting that SOFA negotiations will be a
longer process. He added that we will work to finalize the
protocol by the end of July, in advance of the election
season in both the U.S. and Iraq. Hakim responded that "we
have always been enthusiastic" about the agreement,
emphasizing that getting out of Chapter 7 was the most
important point of order. He expressed full confidence in
Prime Minister Maliki's ability to negotiate the agreement,
saying he is "personally comfortable with how negotiations
are going," while noting the need to communicate with other
religious authorities on the details. While Hakim reiterated
that Iraqi sovereignty was a primary goal, no specific
sovereignty-related issues (i.e. immunity of troops) were
discussed.

Provincial Elections
--------------


3. (S/NF) Ambassador Crocker emphasized to Hakim the need for
the COR to pass an election law without delay, and for ISCI
and the governing coalition to play a positive role in
expediting the process. Hakim expressed enthusiasm about the
provincial elections, remarking that many parties and voters
have registered and that he expects ISCI to do well. He was
less forthcoming about passing an election law promptly,
saying that he would "back any good effort by our brothers"
to pass a law and that he expected elections to take place
later this year. He also offered his personal opinion that
Kirkuk should have elections by the same process as the rest
of the country, though he knew this would not work
politically. He also indicated that progress had been made
in bringing the Sunni Arab Iraqi National Accord (Tawafuq)
back to the coalition. Hakim also noted press coverage on
television earlier in the day about Tawafuq coming to
agreement with the government, saying skeptically, "I hope it
is true."

Post-Conflict Reconstruction
--------------


4. (S/NF) Hakim pointed out several times that Iraq's primary
problem right now is the lack of basic services for
electricity, water, and fuel. He asked for more American
assistance and expertise in these areas, and also asked about
the possibility of a ship docking in Basra that could provide
electricity. Ambassador Crocker emphasized that we have been
working with the Iraqi government on all of these issues. He
also reminded Hakim that the GOI, while continuously
improving performance, has not carried out effective
post-operations reconstruction programs in Basra and Sadr
City, despite having funds available. Hakim agreed that more
has to be done by the GOI in Basra and Amarah, while sounding
optimistic about prospects for reconstruction.

The Iran Card: MEK
--------------


5. (S/NF) Late in the meeting, Hakim raised the
Mujahadeen-e-Khalq, suggesting that they are growing in
strength and arguing that an increasing number of Shia Iraqis
believe they are backed by the U.S. He conceded the

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Ambassador's point that the U.S. has listed MEK as a
terrorist organization, but protested that MEK uses its
protected status to hold regular events and festivals against
the government of Iran. Hakim further inquired about Iraqis
held in military detention centers, whom he believes are
being held unjustly. Ambassador Crocker emphasized in his
response that many detainees have been released, the number
of detainees is constantly dropping, and that Iraqis are part
of the evaluative process.


6. (S/NF) Comment: Suffering from terminal lung cancer, Hakim
looks thinner and weaker than he did six months ago.
However, for a man often reported to be close to death, Hakim
looked relatively healthy, moving briskly without assistance
and fully engaged in the conversation despite being at the
end of a long day on the road. On some current issues, such
as SFA/SOFA, he did not display full command of all the
nuances of the topic, suggesting that some key leadership
duties have already been passed to his son Amar al-Hakim or
other deputies. Amar was not in the meeting, but Hakim's
other son Muhsin was present along with one staff member.
End Comment.
CROCKER