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). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶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. -------------- OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶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. -------------- TEXT FOR DELIVERY TO FOREIGN MINISTERS -------------- ¶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. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶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). -------------- POINTS OF CONTACT -------------- ¶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