VP MAHDI PRAISES POLITICAL BLOCS FOR OVERCOMING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003896

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2028
TAGS: PREL UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: VP MAHDI PRAISES POLITICAL BLOCS FOR OVERCOMING
DIFFERENCES BUT CRITICIZES PRIME MINISTER FOR FAILURE TO
CONSULT

REF: A: BAGHDAD 2280

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Robert S. Ford for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)

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Summary
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1. (C) U.S. Representative to the United Nations Zalmay
Khalilzad on December 1 reported to Iraqi Vice President Adil
Abd al-Mahdi that Iraq must request a new United Nations
Security Council (UNSC) resolution to protect its financial
assets. Mahdi characterized the post-SoFA political
environment as positive, and said that the debate
demonstrated that Iraq's political blocs could overcome their
differences and achieve compromise. However, he bluntly
criticized Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for overstepping his
authority and failing to consult other political leaders.
Mahdi predicted that Maliki's Da'wa party would do well in
the upcoming provincial elections, and warned that his
Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) must remain allied
with the Kurds or Iraq will lose its direction. End Summary.

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Quick Action Needed in UN to Protect DFI
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2. (C) Ambassador Khalilzad on December 1 told Vice President
Adil Abd al-Mahdi that the U.S. was committed to helping Iraq
revise its status under Chapter VII of the United Nation's
Charter and resolve issues related to the Development Fund
for Iraq (DFI). Khalilzad urged Iraq to quickly submit a
new, narrowly-focused resolution to the UN Security Council
and explain Iraq's financial position to member countries.
Mahdi asked how Iraq could at the same time be removed form
Chapter VII while remaining protected under it. Khalilzad
explained that under a new resolution, the U.S. military
presence will no longer be covered by Chapter VII -- a
positive development -- but the DFI assists would. Mahdi
said he would engage with UNSC members, especially Russia, to
present Iraq's case.

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Positive Post-SoFA Environment, Focus on Implementation
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3. (C) VP Mahdi said last month's intense SoFA debate was
positive for Iraq because it proved that political blocs
could eventually compromise on a solution, even though the
SoFA exposed real differences among political parties. Mahdi
said the SoFA would not have passed without Tawafuq and
Iraqiyyah, because those against the agreement would have
been able to deny quorum. (Note. Mahdi estimated that of
the 149 votes for the agreement, Tawafuq delivered about 25
and Iraqiyyah 10. End Note.) Mahdi also praised the
mediating role of President Jalal Talabani and hoped that
members of parliament would continue to work together to
implement the agreement. Ambassador Crocker emphasized that
we must now stand-up U.S.-Iraq implementing committees for
the SoFA and accompanying Strategic Framework Agreement
(SFA).

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VP Mahdi Criticizes PM Maliki
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4. (C) Unprompted, Mahdi complained about Prime Minister
Maliki's governing style, citing his growing reluctance to
consult other Iraqi leaders and tendency to overstep his
authority. Mahdi claimed that President Talabani and Vice
President Hashimi are also concerned about Maliki
overstepping his bounds and hinted that Maliki must change
his ways if he wants to remain Prime Minister. Mahdi urged
the U.S. to engage other Iraqis, not just the Prime
Minister's Office, when working with the Iraqi government.

Q
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VP on Broad Political Trends
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5. (C) Responding to Khalilzad's question about provincial
elections, Mahdi said Da'wa has gained ground in the south
since 2005, the Sadrists have lost ground, and ISCI will do
"well." Over the past year, the Kurds have moderated their
views on the contentious issues of Kirkuk and disputed
boundaries, and are showing an increasingly willingness to
"be Iraqis," Mahdi said. Mahdi warned that ISCI must
maintain an alliance with the Kurd or else Iraq will "lose
direction," like what happened with the "July 22 bloc"

BAGHDAD 00003896 002 OF 002


regarding provincial elections legislation (ref A).
CROCKER