ERBIL: KRG PRESIDENT AND PM CRITICIZE GOI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000097 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2018 TAGS: PGOV PTER TU IZ SUBJECT: ERBIL: KRG PRESIDENT AND PM CRITICIZE GOI INEFFECTIVENESS REF: A. 07 BAGHDAD 4193 ¶B. 07 BAGHDAD 4199 ¶C. BAGHDAD 66 Classified By: Classified By Jess Baily, Regional Coordinator for reaso ns 1.4 (b) and (d). This is an Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team message. SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) During their meetings on January 6 in Erbil with U.S. Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN),John Cornyn (R-TX) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA),the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) President and Prime Minister expressed their continued strong support for national reconciliation and passage of a national hydrocarbons law. The KRG's top two leaders strongly criticized the GOI as making insufficient political progress toward national goals. They reiterated the criticisms of the GOI contained in their December 27 letter to PM Al-Maliki (ref a). They claimed the dominant Sunni and Shi'a political parties in Baghdad were increasingly under the control of Islamic extremists, and that PM Al-Maliki was moving toward a "semi-dictatorship." PM Barzani expressed his view that Iran's overall influence in Iraq was declining, due to continued pressure by Coalition Forces on Iranian-supported groups and to growing frustration with Iran's actions by key Shi'a leaders, including al-Sistani. With regard to the PKK, the KRG President and PM concurred with the visiting senators that a political (rather than a military) solution must ultimately be found. End Summary. KRG President Supports National Reconciliation -------------- - ¶2. (C) United States Senators Coleman, Cornyn and Isakson visited Erbil, Iraq on January 6 to hold discussions with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. The KRG President and PM expressed their thanks and appreciation for the sacrifices made by the USG since the end of the first Iraq war in 1991. President Barzani mentioned that 57 members of his family, 8,000 members of the Barzani clan, and 175,000 Kurds were killed by Saddam Hussein's regime. Despite the temptation, the Kurds had chosen not to retaliate against the Arab perpetrators of past atrocities and must "never become part of the sectarian Sunni/Shi'a conflict." President Barzani stated that the KRG will continue to pursue national reconciliation and invest in the Kurds' relationship with Sunni and Shi'a factions in Baghdad. He also said the KRG will continue close cooperation with the USG on counterterrorism. President Barzani Cites Flaws in GOI Performance -------------- --- ¶3. (C) KRG President Barzani discussed his views regarding the government of PM Al-Maliki. He said, "We don't think there will be political progress with the current government. We want a reshuffle of the cabinet and reconfirmation of the cabinet's commitment to the constitution. We see a tendency to bring back a semi-dictatorship into this country." In mentioning the political power of the Kurdish Alliance in Iraqi politics, President Barzani said, "If the Kurds leave the cabinet, we don't think the government could stand for more than 10 days." Senator Coleman encouraged President Barzani to continue to be a voice in favor of reconciliation, and to work within the GOI to ensure rapid enactment of national hydrocarbon legislation. Senators Coleman, Cornyn and Isakson stressed the importance of tangible progress in key areas of national reconciliation, such as the national oil law, in order to maintain American support for the USG's efforts in Iraq. The senators highlighted the critical role to be played by the Kurds in these processes. ¶4. (C) KRG President Barzani said continued political failure in Iraq could be "catastrophic" for the Kurds, other Iraqis, the United States and the world. He resented any implication that the Kurds are to blame for current political impasses in Baghdad. He expressed frustration that agreements made among the leaders last August have not been turned into legislation. He said, "Both the Sunni and Shi'a political parties in Baghdad are controlled by Islamic extremists. (The Kurds) didn't make all these collective sacrifices to have our future determined by Sunni and Shi'a clerics." He continued, "I have one request: Please do not burn us with other people's fire. Why should our people suffer, when other groups in Iraq don't play fairly?" PM Barzani Strongly Criticizes GOI -------------- BAGHDAD 00000097 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) During the CODEL's meeting with KRG PM Barzani, Barzani praised the USG for facilitating many of the Kurdistan Region's achievements since 1991. Regarding the GOI, he complained that PM Al-Maliki "has surrounded himself with very narrow-minded advisors." He said major changes in the cabinet would be required to make political and economic progress in Iraq. PM Barzani criticized the lack of decisiveness, transparency, and accountability in the GOI's various ministries. He stressed the KRG's support for the Iraqi constitution and the KRG's continued need to be "under the Iraqi umbrella." He said the KRG "will continue to play a constructive role in Baghdad," but he stressed the importance of decentralized power as the key to Iraq's future. PM Barzani also told RRT Deputy Team Leader that he plans another trip to Baghdad "in the coming weeks" to continue discussions on hydrocarbons and other issues of national political reconciliation. Iran Exerts Negative Influence on Iraq -------------- ¶6. (C) In response to a question from Senator Cornyn about Iranian actions in Iraq, PM Barzani said, "The Iranians don't want stability and progress in Iraq, but their influence is declining." He attributed the decline to sustained pressure by Coalition forces on Iranian-supported groups and to growing frustration among Iraq Shi'ite leaders with their neighbors to the East. PM Barzani noted that in their mid-December meeting in Najaf, Ali al-Sistani complained about "Iran wanting to destroy this country." The PM thought the Government of Iran was "holding back the Sadr-ists for now" from attacking other groups in Iraq, but he was pessimistic about the prospects for avoiding intra-sectarian conflict between Sadrists and ISCI. Political Solution Sought for PKK -------------- ¶7. (C) With regard to the PKK, the KRG President and PM stressed the importance of a diplomatic rather than military solution. Senator Coleman agreed with that sentiment and expressed his appreciation for the KRG's efforts to interdict the flow of men, materials and money to the PKK. 8 (C) Comment: Both Barzanis repeated now-familiar criticisms of PM Maliki's performance and voiced their doubts about its ability to make adjustments the Kurdish Alliance outlined in their December letter. Nonetheless, when CODEL underscored the need for tangible and rapid progress in political reconciliation, both KRG leaders reaffirmed their commitment to stay engaged in the process. ¶9. (U) The CODEL was not able to clear this message prior to departure. CROCKER