DEFENSE UNDER SECRETARY EDELMAN MEETS LEADERS OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003468

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: DEFENSE UNDER SECRETARY EDELMAN MEETS LEADERS OF
KIRKUK,S ETHNIC BLOCS; KURDS REFUSE TO ATTEND

Classified By: Kirkuk PRT Leader Howard Keegan: Reasons 1.4 (b and d)

THIS IS A PRT KIRKUK REPORTING CABLE.


1. (C) SUMMARY: Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric
Edelman engaged Arab, Turkoman and Christian provincial
leaders of Kirkuk on 20 October 2008 to discuss ethnic
cooperation and Article 23 of the provincial elections law.
Kurdish leaders declined to attend due to the inclusion of
Sheik Abu Saddam, a Sunni Arab leader from Hawija district.
The Turkomen representatives blamed Kirkuk,s problems on
outside forces, claimed an increase in the activities of
"non-official police" in the province, and expressed support
for the draft Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) as long as it
does not infringe on Iraqi sovereignty. Arab representatives
voiced their support for the Article 24 Committee, especially
where it concerns joint administration. They stated firmly
that Kirkuk cannot join the KRG. The Christian
representative commented on the plight of Christians in Iraq,
and criticized the removal of Article 50 (dealing with
minority rights) from the provincial elections law. END
SUMMARY.


2. (C) Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman
traveled to Kirkuk on 20 October 2008 to meet leaders of the
province,s main ethnic groups. He opened the meeting by
praising the people of Kirkuk for their history of living and
working together in harmony. He stated that politics is not
a zero-sum game, but instead requires compromise. He said
that the United States does not play favorites among the
ethnicities of Iraq, and asked for patience as complicated
issues such as land reform are tackled. Under Secretary
Edelman finished by commenting that the problems of Kirkuk
will be solved through the spirit of patience and compromise,
not from people or entities outside of Iraq that seek to
influence events in their favor.


3. (C) Absent from the event were any Kurdish leaders. The
PRT invited Kirkuk Provincial Council (KPC) Chairman Rizgar
Ali (PUK) and Kurdish KPC member Mohammed Kamal (KDP). Upon
receiving the invitation on 19 October 2008, Rizgar expressed
displeasure over the inclusion of Arab Sheik Hussein Ali
Salih (aka Abu Saddam). He explained that as a district
level leader, Abu Saddam should not be elevated to the level
of a provincial leader. After discussions with the PRT Team
Leader, however, Rizgar indicated that despite his
objections, he would attend the event. Approximately one
hour prior to the meeting with Under Secretary Edelman,
Rizgar surprised the PRT by advising it that he would not
attend. Mohammed Kamal likely followed Rizgar,s lead and
also did not attend.


4. (C) Hassan Toran and Tahseen Kahea, both KPC members,
represented the Turkomen people of Kirkuk. Hassan Toran said
forces outside the province such as Saddam Hussein and the
two main Kurdish parties (PUK and KDP) created the problems
in Kirkuk. While indicating that the Turkomen are not
against the return of legitimately displaced Kirkukis, Toran
objected to the Kurds' political abuse of the right of
return. Toran also mentioned that "non-official police"
(referring to the Kurdish secret police, the Asayish) are
increasing their activity in the province and are abusing
human rights. Kahea stated that the Turkomen had no
objections to the draft SOFA, as long as its provisions did
not infringe upon Iraq,s sovereignty.


5. (C) Abu Saddam, a Hawija district leader, and Mohammed
Khalil, KPC member, represented the Arabs. Both Arab leaders
commented on the Kurdish failure to follow through on the
"December 2 Agreement" (also known as the &Thirteen Point
Agreement8) which ended the Arab boycott of the KPC last
December. Abu Saddam said that, if the Kurds had acted in
good faith on this agreement, &eighty-percent8 of the
problems of Kirkuk would be solved by now. Abu Saddam
continued that Article 24 must be implemented in full,
especially where it concerns joint administration. He
finished by saying, &Kirkuk cannot joint the KRG, the Iraqi
people won,t stand for it." Khalil predicted that the KDP
in particular will obstruct the work of the Article 24
Committee. Khalil said that the Arabs support the
reintroduction of Article 50 into the elections law &to
protect our Christian brothers,8 and the establishment of a
&special status8 for Kirkuk.


6. (C) Sylvana Bouya, KPC member, represented the
Chaldo-Assyrian Christians. The removal of Article 50 from
the provincial elections law created a problem for the
Christians. She hoped that the "a system8 will be
reintroduced because it &helps the Christians and other
minorities.8 She quoted that 30 Christian families fled to

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Kirkuk from the violence in Mosul. She claimed a further
2,354 families recently fled Mosul to other locations.


7. (C) Under Secretary Edelman closed the meeting by
expressing optimism over the following common themes he
heard: adherence to rule of law and the constitution;
building on Kirkuk,s history of tolerance; and the necessity
of humane treatment for all. He encouraged the leaders of
Kirkuk to work with the Article 24 Committee as they begin
their work. Under Secretary Edelman mentioned Article 50,
saying that his colleagues in Baghdad are working to get the
spirit if not the letter of the article in place. He
referred to the SOFA as a &very important agreement8 that
&fully reflects Iraq,s sovereignty.8 He stated that the
draft SOFA is consistent with agreements the USA has with
other governments in the Middle East. He stressed the
importance of passing the SOFA, saying it will provide a
basis for a strategic partnership between the U.S., Iraq, and
the entire region.


8. (U) This cable has been cleared by USD(P) Edelman.


CROCKER