VP ADEL ABDEL MEHDI ON SFA AND TAWAFUQ RETURN TO

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 002201

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ
SUBJECT: VP ADEL ABDEL MEHDI ON SFA AND TAWAFUQ RETURN TO
GOI

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


1. (S) Summary: In a July 13 meeting, the Ambassador told
Vice President Adel Abdel Mehdi that his July 12 conversation
with PM Maliki had produced a common understanding on the
process to conclude a bilateral agreement that would include
a Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) that sets out
principles to cover our multi-faceted relationship and a
"short protocol" that allows for the continued presence of
U.S. troops. Once this agreement is concluded, the two sides
can resume negotiations over a "long protocol" (SOFA) in a
less politically-charged atmosphere. The Ambassador said the
USG could accept Maliki's insistence on "short protocol"
references to a "time horizon" and coordination mechanisms
that Maliki deems essential to obtain support of political
blocs and the Marja'iyyah for the pact, but the Ambassador
stressed that negotiations must be completed in a timely
manner. Adel said he would express support for this approach
at a July 14 Executive Council meeting, opining that most
political blocs would also back the approach. Regarding the
return of Tawafuq to the cabinet, Adel stated that Maliki has
taken advantage of Tawafuq disunity to "extract concessions"
but said he would encourage fellow VP Tareq al-Hashemi and
Maliki to bring the issue to closure. Adel said Lebanese PM
Siniora has expressed interest in visiting Iraq, and the
Ambassador urged Adel and his fellow Presidency Council
members to complete agreement formalities on Kuwaiti and UAE
ambassadorial appointments, and for the GOI to reciprocate
quickly by naming envoys. End Summary.

Moving Forward on SFA
--------------


2. (S) Joined by S/I Satterfield, NSC Senior Director McGurk,
and DASD Kimmitt, the Ambassador recounted his July 12
meeting with Maliki. He said he and Maliki had agreed to
move ahead with an umbrella SFA that, at Maliki's request,
would consist largely of principles to govern the
multi-faceted Iraq-U.S. relationship. After reaching such an
agreement, the sides would negotiate and conclude a "short
protocol" to the SFA containing language sufficient to permit
the continued presence of U.S. forces. Once these two
agreements are reached and political tension surrounding the
negotiations has dissipated, the two sides can resume
time-consuming negotiations over a SOFA or "long protocol" to
the SFA in a more relaxed political atmosphere.


3. (S) The Ambassador noted the USG could accept Maliki's
insistence on "short protocol" references to a "time horizon"
and coordination mechanisms that Maliki deems essential to
obtain support of political blocs and the Marja'iyyah for the
bilateral pact, but he emphasized that negotiations must be
completed forthwith. Adel expressed satisfaction with the
entire approach, and said he would be supportive when he
discusses the matter with Maliki, President Talabani, and VP
Hashemi at a July 14 Executive Council meeting. He said the
Shia-based Government Support Committee backs this approach
as well, adding his belief that political leaders other than
dissident elements like Sadrists and Former PM Jaffri will
fall into line with the concluded agreement and protocol.

PM Playing Games with Tawafuq; Elections Law; Siniora
to Visit?
-------------- --------------


4. (S) When asked about Tawafuq's long-awaited return to the
cabinet, Adel said that Tawafuq remains fragmented and Maliki
has taken advantage of this disunity to "extract
concessions." The Ambassador urged Adel to weigh in with
Maliki and Hashemi on Tawafuq return at the July 14 Executive
Council meeting, and Adel replied that Maliki would likely
accept Tawafuq's submitted names for ministerial posts if
Hashemi "takes responsibility" for the list. Adel said he
thought there was sufficient CoR agreement on how to handle
Kirkuk elections to permit passage of a Provincial Elections
Law during a scheduled July 15 CoR vote. Adel noted that
Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora has expressed interest in visiting
Iraq; picking up on the topic of Iraq's regional relations,
the Ambassador urged Adel and his Presidency Council cohorts
to complete agreement formalities on Kuwaiti and UAE
ambassadorial appointments, and for the GOI to reciprocate
quickly by naming envoys to those countries.
CROCKER