AMAR AL-HAKIM ON SFA, AHMADINEJAD VISIT, AND

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000664 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ SUBJECT: AMAR AL-HAKIM ON SFA, AHMADINEJAD VISIT, AND LEGISLATION Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Summary: In a March 4 meeting, ISCI heir apparent Amar al-Hakim expressed support for the concept of a Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) as a broad expression of our shared interests and vision. He said he and his father, ISCI Chairman Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, frequently talk about the importance of such an agreement in their public outreach. Amar defended the veto cast by fellow ISCI official and GOI Vice President Adel Abdel Mehdi of the Provincial Powers Law as a move to uphold the primacy of the Iraqi constitution. He asserted that Adel's veto decision was akin to President Bush's surge policy in that it was criticized at first but later people came to see its wisdom. The Ambassador urged rapid resolution of the issue so political momentum can continue and Iraqis and the world can see progress. Amar characterized Iranian President Ahmadinejad's visit as a positive step in Iraq's relations with neighboring states, and expressed hope that Arab neighbors will follow with similar high-level visits. Amar complained of alleged inaccurate and unfair reporting by the USG-funded al-Hurra media network that he claimed has presented ISCI in a negative light. End Summary. SFA/SOFA -------------- ¶2. (S) The Ambassador and NSC Senior Director McGurk briefed on the USG vision for upcoming SFA and SOFA negotiations, noting that the SFA will define our bilateral diplomatic, economic, political, cultural, and security relations and that the SOFA is the enabling mechanism for the security aspect. They emphasized that the USG has concluded a SOFA with 80 countries and that we would add SOFA elements to conform to Iraq's unique circumstances. McGurk said the President had instructed the U.S. negotiating team to conclude an agreement that would be supported broadly by all communities in Iraq. He also noted the President's recent trip to Arab capitals, during which Arab leaders had expressed to him support for such an agreement. McGurk acknowledged that misperceptions remain about the agreement in Tehran and some Iraqi circles, but the U.S. affirms that the agreement is solely about supporting Iraq, and consistent with what Tehran claims to be our mutual interests here, such as supporting the Iraqi government and its security forces. ¶3. (S) At all times glib and polished, the black-turbaned Amar replied that Iraq sees the U.S. as a friend and partner in its democratic experiment, and views the agreement as not only a security pact but a broader expression of shared interests. Iraq is fortunate to have a partner with the strength and technological expertise of the U.S., he continued, and we must move forward with transparency and a common vision while keeping in mind regional considerations. Amar said he and his father, Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, want all Iraqis to be represented in the agreement process, and they continue to talk to the Iraqi people about the importance of the pact in their public outreach. Amar and McGurk agreed that it is important to conclude the agreement during the current administration, with Amar noting that new people less familiar with Iraq might be coming in 2009. VP Adel's Veto on Provincial Law -------------- ¶4. (S) The Ambassador raised the matter of Vice President Adel's PPL veto, stressing the importance of restoring momentum and a sense of seriousness of purpose as demonstrated by the CoR's February 13 passage of the PPL and two other items. He said U.S. opponents of the President's Iraq policy were exploiting the veto as evidence that the policy was not succeeding. The Ambassador reminded Amar that Abdel Aziz al-Hakim had assured the President in a recent phone conversation that he and Adel would find a solution that is satisfactory to us. Amar stated that ISCI believes the Iraqi constitution must be paramount and that government authority should not be centralized, as stated in the constitution. ISCI objections to the law were all grounded in the constitution: since the law by its own terms does not take effect until after the provincial elections, it is important to take time to make sure the final law is constitutionally correct. Amar predicted that Adel's veto was akin to the President's surge policy in that it was criticized at first but later people came to see its wisdom. He said ISCI would work with the CoR leadership to come up with a correct law. The Ambassador urged rapid resolution so political momentum can continue and Iraqis and the world can see progress. Ahmadinejad Visit, Arab Neighbors -------------- ¶5. (S) Amar said the visit of Iranian President Ahmadinejad was a positive step in developing good relations with a neighboring Muslim state. He noted that Ahmadinejad's public statements were somewhat moderate considering the source. Lamenting that Iraq's Sunnis did not participate more actively in the visit, Amar added that sectarian entrenchment does not help Iraq and that ISCI seeks dialogue with all groups to solve Iraq's problems. He hoped Ahmadinejad's visit would send a message to Iraq's Arab neighbors that they need to engage more with Iraq. Picking up on this point, the Ambassador said he would likely visit neighboring Arab capitals in the coming weeks and deliver the same message. He spoke of the importance of visits to neighboring states by people like Amar and VP Adel, noting that his contacts in Kuwait had been highly impressed by Amar and his message during Amar's visit to Kuwait last October. The Ambassador expressed hope that, as a result of the Ahmadinejad visit, Iran would deal in a positive, constructive manner with Iraq's government and people, and stop assisting groups that damage Iraq's stability and security. Amar said Iraqis want all their neighbors to respect Iraq's sovereignty and not intervene in Iraq's affairs. You Censor Al-Hurra, I'll Censor Al-Furat -------------- ¶6. (S) Amar complained of MNF-I arrest of a senior employee of the al-Furat broadcasting network, ISCI's media organ. The Ambassador stated he was aware of the case and that preliminary reports indicate the employee's involvement in nefarious activity. Backing off a bit, Amar stated that ISCI is concerned about the manner and circumstances of the arrest, adding that ISCI had told the USG repeatedly that it would deliver its employees for questioning by MNF-I if asked through proper channels. Echoing complaints made in a separate meeting by VP Adel (septel),Amar groused about alleged inaccurate reporting by USG-funded al-Hurra network that he claimed presented ISCI in a highly negative light. He said his group "finds it very odd" that a USG-sponsored news organizations repeatedly disseminates unfavorable reports about ISCI. The Ambassador stated that while we have no control over al-Hurra content or editorial views, we do have an interest in accurate, objective journalism, and he asked Amar to send us specific instances of perceived inaccurate or unfair reporting for our review. He noted that the USG often finds that it has been the subject of inaccurate and negative reporting by the GOI-funded Iraqqiyah news network and even by the ISCI-funded al-Furat, but such is the reality of life. Unfazed, Amar retorted immediately that the USG should also feel free to send him any instances of alleged unfair or inaccurate al-Furat reporting, adding with a wry grin that he is quite willing to intervene directly with al-Furat's editorial board. CROCKER