ENGAGING GCC+2 ON IRAN/IRAQ

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 045358

SIPDIS

NOFORN, SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL BA EG IZ JO KU QA SA GCC AE UM
SUBJECT: ENGAGING GCC+2 ON IRAN/IRAQ

Classified By: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for reasons
1.4 (b),(c),and (d).

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SUMMARY
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1. (S/NF) This demarche comes in the context of our strong
push to get greater regional engagement with Iraq. This
effort is not just for the sake of that country but to
advance strategic regional security goals in the face of
common regional challenges from Iran, Al-Qaeda, and other
sources of instability. The Secretary wants us to make a
maximum effort as soon as possible to establish better
acceptance and understanding of how we see Iraqi
developments and Iran's relationship with, and presence
in, Iraq. The letter in para 3 announces a visit by a
small team from Embassy Baghdad to provide a comprehensive
brief to GCC+2 interlocutors on Iraq-related issues and
respond to their questions. End summary.

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OBJECTIVES
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2. (S/REL BA,KU,QA,SA,MU,AE,EG,JO) Action addressees are
requested to approach host governments at the Foreign
Minister level with the message from Secretary Rice found
in paragraph 3. Preferred dates for the briefings are as
follows: Kuwait - May 4, Riyadh - May 5, Doha - May 6,
Abu Dhabi - May 7, Cairo - May 8 or 10-11, Amman - May
11-12. Embassies Manama and Muscat are encouraged to
invite representatives to visit one of the other four GCC
capitals that will be receiving the briefing. Posts are
asked to report back as soon as possible.

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TEXT FOR DELIVERY TO FOREIGN MINISTERS
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3. (S/REL BA,KU,QA,SA,MU,AE,EG,JO) Following is a message
from Secretary Rice for delivery to the Foreign Minister.
Begin text:

Dear Mr. Minister:

(For Cairo only) When we met in Washington on April 17,
you requested that we prepare a paper that would help your
government to understand our assessment of the positive
developments taking place in Iraq with respect to
political reconciliation and extension of security for all
Iraqis.

(For Amman only) When Ambassador Satterfield met with you
in Amman recently, you expressed concern over the
direction of events in Iraq and the nature of Iran's
involvement in that country.

(For GCC capitals, Muscat and Manama should deliver oral
message from the Secretary, as appropriate) When we met
April 21 in Bahrain, you raised concerns and questions
with me regarding the nature of political and security
developments within Iraq and the nature of Iran's role and
activities in that country.

(For all capitals) In response, I am pleased to offer to
you and to (NAME OF APPROPRIATE INTELLIGENCE SERVICE
CHIEF) a briefing on these issues by a team headed by
Ambassador David Satterfield, my Senior Advisor and
Coordinator for Iraq and including senior MNF-I and other
officials. They are prepared to meet (fill in date as
appropriate). I believe it will be especially useful for
the members of the GCC to participate in this briefing and
appreciate your willingness to receive our team.

Ambassador Satterfield and his team look forward to
discussing all aspects of these important issues in as
open and comprehensive a manner as possible. Given the
common strategic interests we share and the common
challenges we face in working together for greater
regional stability and security, I believe such an
exchange as soon as possible will be helpful in
establishing better understanding at this critical moment.

Sincerely,

Condoleezza Rice


STATE 00045358 002 OF 002


End text.

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BACKGROUND
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4. (S/NF) During the Secretary's recent meetings in
Washington and the region with GCC, Egyptian, and
Jordanian Foreign Ministers, our interlocutors have raised
common questions and concerns about the nature and extent
of political reconciliation within Iraq, the significance
of recent developments in Basrah, Iranian activities and
presence in Iraq, Iran's relationships with key Iraqi
parties and leaders, and U.S. strategy to challenge
harmful Iranian activities in Iraq. Given the critical
importance of generating greater regional engagement with
Iraq to confront the strategic challenges to regional and
U.S. interests from Iran, Al-Qaeda, and other threats to
stability and security, the Secretary has directed the
formation of a small team from Embassy Baghdad which will
be prepared to provide a comprehensive brief on the above
Iraq-related issues and respond to questions. The team
will be headed by S/I Ambassador David Satterfield and
will include ORA and MNF-I senior officers. The team is
seeking meetings at the Foreign Minister and Intelligence
Service Chief levels in Cairo, Amman, and GCC capitals
(with the exception of Muscat and Manama; Bahraini and
Omani FMs and intelligence chiefs will be invited to
participate in a neighboring country).

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POINTS OF CONTACT
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5. (U) The point of contact for this message is S/I
Executive Assistant Katie Nutt at (202)647-7105 and on the
global address list (nuttkm@state.sgov.gov).
RICE