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 �A;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 BERLIN 00000545 002 OF 002 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