FRIENDS OF IRAQ CONFERENCE JUNE 17-19, 2008, UAE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 STATE 050592

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IZ MARR MOPS OTRA PREL
SUBJECT: FRIENDS OF IRAQ CONFERENCE JUNE 17-19, 2008, UAE


1. This is an action request. See para 3.


2. SUMMARY. Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I),Government of
Iraq (GOI),and U.S. Embassy Baghdad will co-host the Friends
of Iraq Conference (previously known as the Iraq Conference)
at the Armed Forces Officer Club (AFOC),Abu Dhabi, United
Arab Emirates, June 17-19, 2008. Posts are requested to
solicit participation by military and/or civilian
representatives from Coalition partners and prospective
partners. This conference provides an opportunity to discuss
how to collectively build on the gains achieved in Iraq and
to discuss current and emerging needs and coalition
opportunities. The conference also provides a forum to
underscore that the U.S. drawdown of surge forces does not
communicate a reduced need for Coalition support or a reduced
USG commitment to Iraq. Key conference invited speakers
include Multinational Force-Iraq Commanding General (CG
MNF-I) General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq
Ryan Crocker. END SUMMARY.


3. ACTION REQUEST. Embassies are requested to convey the
following invitation in para 4 and conference details in para
5 as soon as possible. Hotel accommodations at the AFOC are
reserved only for those annotated in para 6A, all others are
requested to make reservations at the nearby Shangri-La Hotel
(www.shangri-la.com). Participants from each country are
expected to be well versed on Iraq issues. Some invited
countries have no current involvement in the coalition, but
CG MNF-I requests the conference be as inclusive as possible
and approach all potential capability contributors. Please
note that the name of the conference was changed from "Iraq
Conference" to "Friends of Iraq Conference" after the
invitation was delivered to many participants through
military channels. Web sites and other material now reflect
the new name.

3A. For USUN: Extend an invitation to the UN Under Secretary
for Political Affairs, Ambassador Lynn Pascoe.

3B. For USNATO: Extend an invitation to the NATO Assistant
Secretary General for Operations, Mr. Martin Howard.

3C. For USEU: Extend an invitation to the EU General
Secretariat to the Council, Robert Cooper, and an appropriate
senior commission official.

3D. For Embassy Suva: Please extend the invitation to the
Kingdom of Tonga only.

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MNF-I CONFERENCE INVITATION
--------------


4. INVITATION. The signed original of the following
invitation has been delivered to USCENTCOM Senior National
Representatives (SNR) in Tampa, FL dated April 24, 2008.
Bahrain, Oman, Iceland, and Montenegro do not have SNRs; the
department will convey signed originals to Washington
embassies.

BEGIN TEXT OF INVITATION.

The Government of Iraq; Chief of Mission, United States
Embassy-Baghdad; and Commanding General Multi-National Force
- Iraq, are pleased to invite you to their Iraq Conference in
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 17 to 19 June 2008.

Over the course of the last six months, Iraqi and Coalition
forces have realized marked improvements in security that
present opportunities to accelerate and focus rebuilding
efforts throughout Iraq. Iraq's leaders are capitalizing on
this momentum by tackling national issues and promulgating
legislation that is improving governmental processes and
reinvigorating the economy. These efforts will also give
other nations innumerable opportunities to sustain rebuilding
efforts and continue to improve their long-term relationship
with the Government and people of Iraq.

At the Iraq Conference, we will discuss how we can
collectively build upon these gains and organize to
accomplish the work that remains. Please come prepared to
address what your country can contribute to this important
endeavor.

Senior officials will attend from the United States
Department of State, the Government of Iraq, and the United
States Department of Defense. Therefore, we respectfully ask
that at a minimum, the Vice or Deputy Chief of Defense, and a
senior representative from the Foreign Ministry attend.

Please find important conference details enclosed. We look
forward to seeing and spending time with your nation's
representatives, and we are prepared to assist you in any way
possible to make this a memorable and successful conference.
If you require an interpreter or any other special
accommodations please let us know so that we can make
necessary arrangements.

Sincerely,
Moffak al-Rubaie
National Security Advisor
Government of Iraq

Ryan C. Crocker
Ambassador
US Embassy - Baghdad

David H. Petraeus
General, U.S. Army
Commanding General
Multi-National Force-Iraq


END TEXT OF INVITATION.

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CONFERENCE DETAILS ATTACHMENT
--------------


5. To be delivered with the conference invitation.

BEGIN TEXT OF ENCLOSURE:

CONFERENCE DETAILS

RSVP: Due to the short notice of this important event please
RSVP by May 22, 2008. This can be done via the conference
website, by having your USCENTCOM Senior National
Representative (SNR) register you, or by contacting the U.S.
Embassy in country. Conference Website:
http://hqsweb03.centcom.smil.mil/
Conferences/MNFI conf/Views/confRegistration.aspx

ATTENDEES: Due to limited hotel and seating capacity,
attendance for the conference is limited to the primary
national representatives invited from each country.
Exceptions will only be made for interpreters as the
conference will be conducted in English only. All conference
attendees must possess a SECRET security clearance from your
nation.

TRANSPORTATION: Transportation between the airport, hotels
and conference center will be provided based on participants'
registration on the conference website. Please ensure your
arrival time and location is available to your CENTCOM SNR to
properly prepare for your reception.

HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS: The Iraq Conference Staff is happy to
announce that the Armed Officers Club and Hotel (AFOC) will
be the venue for the conference and both social events.
However, due to the limited availability, it is necessary to
make arrangements for accommodations at either the AFOC or
nearby Shangri-La Hotel; conference rooms are held under the
title "MNF-I Iraq Conference".

Armed Forces Officers Club
P.O. Box 6382
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Tel: ( 971-2) 441-5900
Fax: ( 971-2) 441-5666
www.afoc.mil.ae

Shangri-La Hotel
PO Box 128881, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Tel: ( 971-2) 509-8888
Fax: ( 971-2) 558-5999
slad@shangri-la.com

UNIFORM / ATTIRE: Due to customs and courtesy in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates, the uniform of the day for all
conference and social activities will be civilian
business-casual, coat and open collar. Historically average
temperatures in Abu Dhabi during the month of June range from
a 100F/38C degree high to a 77F/25C degree low.

AGENDA: Conference agenda and read-ahead material will be
available two weeks prior to the conference on the website.
Additionally, all briefings given at the conference will be
posted to the website after the conference.

END TEXT OF ENCLOSURE.

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HOTEL RESERVATION GUIDANCE
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6. Due to hotel limitations, the AFOC is reserved primarily
for Ministry of Defense attendees.

6A. FOR HOSTED NATIONS MINISTRY OF DEFENSE ATTENDEES

MNF-I has secured 80 single rooms at the Armed Forces
Officers Club and Hotel for Ministry of Defense participants
from eligible nations at no cost to the invitee; however, all
additional incidental charges associated with the stay will
be the responsibility of the attendee. Please complete
website registration to ensure confirmation of attendance and
room accommodations.

ELIGIBLE NATIONS: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Georgia, Greece,
Hungary, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania
Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Oman,
Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tonga,
Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

6B. FOR CIVILIAN ATTENDEES FROM ABOVE ELIGIBLE NATIONS, AND
ALL OTHER CONFERENCE ATTENDEES, BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN

Due to limited availability in the Armed Forces Officers Club
and Hotel, it will be necessary to make reservations at the
nearby Shangri-La Hotel and Resort as soon as possible by
kindly providing your USCENTCOM SNR with credit card
information before May 22, 2008. The CENTCOM Coalition
Coordination Center (CCC) can assist with reserving and
confirming your rooms. Please complete website registration
to ensure confirmation of attendance and room accommodations.
If you choose to book your accommodations directly, ask for
blocked rooms under the title "MNF-I Iraq Conference".


7. CONFERENCE POINT OF CONTACTS:

7A. CENTCOM POC
Brian Kelley, CDR, USN
U.S. Central Command Coalition Coordination Center
Director's Action Team
(813) 827-1097 / DSN 651-1097
kelleybk@centcom.mil
kelleybk@centcom.smil.mil
unclass fax (813) 827-1122 / DSN 651-1122
class fax (813) 827-1094 / DSN 651-1094

7B. MNF-I POC
Jeffrey Kwok, Maj, USAF
MNF-I SPA Plans
DSN 318-239-8761
Jeffrey.kwok@iraq.centcom.mil
Jeffrey.kwok@s-iraq.centcom.smil.mil

7C. STATE DEPT POC
Bill Jensen, CAPT, USN
NEA/I-PM Military Advisor
(202) 647-0560
JensenWJ@state.sgov.gov
JensenWJ@state.gov

RICE