COR SPEAKER MASHADANI CALLS ARAB PARLIAMENTARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000841

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: COR SPEAKER MASHADANI CALLS ARAB PARLIAMENTARY
CONFERENCE A SUCCESS

REF: BAGHDAD 784

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


1. (C) This is an action request, see para 5.


2. (C) Summary: Council of Representatives (CoR) Speaker
Mahmoud Mashadani hailed the Arab Parliamentary Union (APU)
Conference as a success in his meeting with the Ambassador on
March 15. Mashadani recounted his discussions with
representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and
Iraq's neighbors. He also highlighted his goal of moving the
headquarters of the APU from Syria to Baghdad. Mashadani
called the new Iraq flag flown in Irbil during the conference
a symbol of unity and pointed out that throughout the
conference President Jalal Talabani emphasized that the
Kurdish region is part of Iraq. End summary.

APU CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
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3. (C) CoR Speaker Mahmoud Mashadani told the Ambassador on
March 15 that the Arab Parliamentary Union (APU) Conference
was a resounding success. Mashadani co-chaired the opening
and closing sessions, along with President Jalal Talabani,
KRG President Barzani, APU Secretary General Nour Eddin
Bouchkouj and APU President (and Jordanian Parliament
Speaker) Abd al-Hadi al-Majali (reftel). Issues discussed,
said Mashadani, included the Iranian situation, balancing the
tense relations between the Turks and Kurds, and exploring
the possibility of Iraq joining the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC). Mashadani noted he was invited by the Kuwaitis to
visit, and met with virtually every delegation present,
including the Algerians and Egyptians.

MASHADANI FOCUSES ON BUILDING BILATERAL RELATIONSHIPS
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4. (C) Mashadani said the new Iraqi flag, prominently flown
during the conference, was seen as a symbol of unity by
Iraq's neighbors. He also remarked that President Jalal
Talabani "talked like an Arab" during the conference,
reinforcing the message that the KRG is part of Iraq.
Mashadani noted that delegates from some of the Arab
neighbors had initially expressed fear at coming to a
conference in the Kurdish region, but left with a positive
opinion. Mashadani discussed at length his goal to move the
headquarters of the APU from Syria to Baghdad, a move he said
would "help solidify the Arab identity of Baghdad." The
Ambassador congratulated the Speaker on the successful APU
conference in Irbil, highlighting the importance of Iraq
building strong bilateral relationships with its Arab
neighbors. Mashadani made a point of saying that Prime
Minister Maliki should improve relations with the GCC
countries, especially Saudi Arabia.

COMMENT/ACTION REQUEST
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5. (C) The APU conference was a step in the right direction
in terms of Iraq's relations with the Arab world, especially
in the aftermath of Iranian President Ahmadinejad's visit
here, and Embassy Baghdad is grateful to our colleagues in
neighboring missions who encouraged their host country
governments to send parliamentary delegations to the
conference. We intend to follow up by urging PM Maliki to
build upon this event by redoubling his efforts to build
bridges with his Arab neighbors. Post requests that the
Department consider instructing posts in the GCC/Iraq's
neighbors to continue (as opportunity presents) to encourage
their host governments to accelerate the establishment and
staffing of their diplomatic missions in Iraq.
CROCKER