HOFF'S VISIT TO BAGHDAD OPENS DOOR TO NEW GERMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 000545

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS NATO IQ EUN GM
SUBJECT: HOFF'S VISIT TO BAGHDAD OPENS DOOR TO NEW GERMAN
IRAQ ENGAGEMENT

REF: A. BAGHDAD 1026

B. BERLIN 474

C. BERLIN 326

Classified By: DCM JOHN KOENIG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (SBU) Summary: German Parliamentarian Elke Hoff's March
25-27 trip to Baghdad was the first of any German
parliamentarian since the fall of Saddam's regime. Despite
the extremely difficult security situation into which she
stepped, Hoff's visit was a notable success that already has
sparked increased interest among influential German Bundestag
(parliament) members to actively engage more in Iraq. Hoff's
visit reinforced the positive trends in the German discussion
about Iraq and gave rise to a number of generally positive
articles, parliamentary action, and increased outreach to
think tanks and business interests. We are following up with
Hoff and others in the Bundestag, government, business, and
NGO communities to build upon this progress. End summary.


2. (C) Hoff met with DCM Koenig on April 11 to provide a
personal read-out from her trip and express her appreciation
for the efforts by U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Embassy
Berlin to make the trip a success (Ref A). Despite the
security situation, Hoff noted that "it was a good time to be
in Baghdad to understand better the challenges, the options
for further engagement, and Germany's role in this effort."
She gained deeper insight into Iraqi needs and interests ("we
don't need money, we need help developing our democracy"
noted one contact). Her meetings with Ambassador Crocker,
General Patraeus, and General Dubik provided Hoff with a
better understanding of the security situation. "It is clear
that additional efforts over a long period of time will be
required" she emphasized.

Hoff Provides Press and Parliament with New Perspective
-------------- --------------


3. (U) Following Hoff's visit, during which she was joined by
two respected journalists (Hans-Christian Roessler from the
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Dieter Bednarz from the
weekly Der Spiegel),ten generally positive articles were
published. Hoff also gave several radio and television
interviews about her trip. Of particular note were "Woman in
the Hot Spot" in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung (Germany's
largest-circulation broadsheet) and Hoff's listing in the
Bild Zeitung (a tabloid with the largest circulation of any
German paper) as Germany's "most courageous parliamentarian"
for making the trip.

Trip Report Calls for Quicker Reconstruction
--------------


4. (U) In her recently published trip report (which is
distributed to the offices of all Bundestag members),Hoff
noted that the security situation in Iraq remains unstable,
and she calls for an "EU contribution toward a comprehensive
approach to the institutional development in Iraq (police,
justice, administration, health, and education) since the
EU's security interests would be compromised by an unstable
Iraq."


5. (SBU) Hoff's report also noted that her Iraqi counterparts
called for quicker infrastructure reconstruction. She also
writes that a number of Iraqi parliamentarians expressed
interest in learning more about German federalism and
stressed that there is little interest in the partition of
the country. A third point she often heard was exasperation
about the involvement of Iran and the lack of positive
engagement by Saudi Arabia and other neighbors. Finally,
many called for the departure of coalition troops "as soon as
the security situation permits." In response, Hoff's report
calls on Germany to accept additional Iraqi refugees
(regardless of religious or ethnic background),recommends
assistance to the Iraqi Parliament in the areas of party
building and administration, and supports the development of
German-funded and administered economic redevelopment
projects, as well as programs for Iraqi students
(particularly engineers and doctors) to study in Germany.


6. (C) Hoff is drafting a parliamentary motion on Germany's
Iraq policy. The motion is expected to call for greater
German engagement on inter-parliamentary exchanges, help for
institution building, and assistance for Iraqi refugees.
According to Hoff's staffer, Rene Hoffmann, Hoff expects to
encounter some resistance from within her own party on this

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matter, particularly from the FDP's foreign affairs
spokesman, Werner Hoyer. Still, noted Hoffmann, Hoff is
dedicated to pushing forward. She also plans to call for
hearings on this matter in the Defense Committee, of which
she is a member.

Economic Engagement Key
--------------


7. (C) In the April 11 meeting with the DCM, Hoff discussed
the need to encourage greater German-Iraqi economic
relations. She lamented the lack of a German-Iraqi Chamber
of Commerce, but listed several institutions with a business
focus that are active in the country, including the
German-Arab Friendship Society, the Near- and Middle East
Union, and the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Hoff noted that there is a lack of information in Germany
about investment opportunities in Iraq and had asked
Ambassador Crocker about receiving information to pass along
to "interested businessmen." She added that German hair and
skin care product company Schwarzkopf was a market leader in
Iraq because they got in early, and others must do the same.

Next Steps, More Visits
--------------


8. (C) Hoff reiterated her appreciation for the support she
received from U.S. Embassy Baghdad, particularly in light of
the minimal support she received from the German Foreign
Office and the German Embassy in Baghdad. She said she hopes
that will change by the next visit by parliamentarians.
(Comment: Post will continue to stress this with the Foreign
Office as well. End comment.) Hoff stated that the "German
political class must now begin to evaluate its next steps."
Deputy Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Hans-Ulrich Klose
(SPD) told the DCM he was interested in visiting Iraq; we
understand that key figures from Chancellor Merkel's CDU,
including deputy caucus leader Andreas Schockenhoff and
foreign policy spokesman Eckhardt von Klaeden, are interested
as well. Hoff plans to focus on German think tanks with
interest in the region. Among those she listed were the
Bertelsmann Foundation, the Foundation for Science and Policy
(SWP),and the Koerber Foundation.


9. (C) Hoff also plans to meet with senior officials from the
German MFA and MOD and urge them to consider visits to Iraq.
As reported in Ref (B),Office Director for Iraq Affairs
Ruediger Lotz already is planning a trip to Baghdad this
summer -- the first of any non-Embassy related MFA official
since 2003 and a direct result of Hoff opening the door.
Hoff also noted that she had extended an invitation for
General Patreaus and Ambassador Crocker to visit Berlin,
despite the fact that some in the GoG may not welcome such
visits.


10. (C) Comment: It is still too early to assess the full
effect on German attitudes toward Iraq of this first visit by
a German parliamentarian. The generally positive press and
Hoff's desire to remain active -- as well as the interest we
have been hearing from others in the German government to
follow her lead -- give us hope that German engagement in
Iraq will increase. Hoff has asserted that the "time for
political abstinence" has past and it is in Germany's and
Europe's interest to become more active in Iraq. Post will
be reaching out to key political actors and organizations in
Germany to press for a fresh look at increasing German
engagement in Iraq. End comment.
TIMKEN JR