Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD1542
2009-06-14 11:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

VP ADIL ABD AL-MAHDI TELLS AMBASSADOR THAT

Tags:  PREL PGOV KDEM KU IR IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8241
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #1542/01 1651135
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 141135Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3450
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 0563
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0803
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001542 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KU IR IZ
SUBJECT: VP ADIL ABD AL-MAHDI TELLS AMBASSADOR THAT
MOMENTUM FAVORS SA REFERENDUM DELAY

REF: BAGHDAD 01441

Classified By: Ambassador Christopher R. Hill for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001542

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KU IR IZ
SUBJECT: VP ADIL ABD AL-MAHDI TELLS AMBASSADOR THAT
MOMENTUM FAVORS SA REFERENDUM DELAY

REF: BAGHDAD 01441

Classified By: Ambassador Christopher R. Hill for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary. Momentum to delay a referendum on the
U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement has built, Vice President Adil
Abd al-Mahdi told the Ambassador June 11. He recommended
that the U.S. raise its concerns over GOI payments to GE
directly with the PM, and said that debt and border issues
with Kuwait should be dealt with through diplomatic channels
rather than via public posturing. Abd al-Mahdi mentioned that
because Prime Minister Maliki felt politically "surrounded,"
he had called for the Political Council on National Security
(PCNS) to meet that evening. Abd al-Mahdi and the Ambassador
also discussed Iran's election. End Summary.

Momentum to Delay SA Referendum
--------------


2. (C) Vice President Adil Abd al-Mahdi told Ambassador Hill
there is momentum to delay the Security Agreement (SA)
referendum until national elections. This was a good option,
Abd al-Mahdi said. He also predicted national elections
would be held on time. The Ambassador asked whether the
Iraqi people are aware of the positive aspects of the SA,
such as the handover of many U.S. military bases and release
of thousands of detainees. Abd al-Mahdi said the public is
seeing the SA "much more positively."

Energy Sector Cooperation
--------------


3. (C) The Ambassador said as part of the U.S. effort to work
closely with the GOI on economic issues, in late June a U.S.
energy expert will visit Iraq to help the GOI improve its oil
industry. Abd al-Mahdi said he would like to meet this
expert, especially since, at the request of Prime Minister
Maliki, Abd al-Mahdi will take over more economic
responsibility in light of Deputy Prime Minister Barham
Salih's probable move to Irbil to become the next Kurdistan
Region Prime Minister.

New Tone in Bilateral Relationship
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador emphasized the importance of setting a
new tone in the U.S.-Iraq relationship, moving beyond
security issues. He said during PM Maliki's expected trip to
Washington this summer, we hope to emphasize growing economic

ties between the U.S. and Iraq. In this context, he observed
that the Iraqi Fulbright program is now the largest in the
Middle East, allowing more Iraqi students to become
"ambassadors" to the U.S.


5. (C) EMIN told Abd al-Mahdi the U.S. is encouraged to see
the recent purchase of spare parts for the Nasiriyah water
treatment facility (ref A),and urged the GOI to continue to
provide funding for operations and maintenance of this and
other assets transferred to Iraq. Abd al-Mahdi acknowledged
that it took too long to obtain spare parts and promised he
would raise the issue with the relevant cabinet official.


6. (C) The Ambassador asked Abd al-Mahdi about Baghdad's
stalled $1 billion payment to General Electric for an
electrical generator, and expressed concern that Iraq might
gain a reputation as a difficult place to do business if this
remains unresolved. Abd al-Mahdi advised bringing up the
issue directly with PM Maliki and said he hoped that since
oil prices are above $70 a barrel, parliament would not block
the deal.

Chapter VII and Iraq-Kuwait Relations
--------------


7. (C) The Ambassador told Abd al-Mahdi the U.S., in line
with the Security Agreement, remains committed to helping
Iraq secure lifting of UNSC Chapter VII sanctions. At the
QIraq secure lifting of UNSC Chapter VII sanctions. At the
same time, he said Iraq has responsibilities to fulfill, and
it would be helpful for Iraq and Kuwait to tone down the
public rhetoric. Abd al-Mahdi agreed that the debt and
border issues with Kuwait should be resolved through
diplomatic channels. He said there is "no dispute" about the
current land border with Kuwait, but Iraq and Kuwait must
still work out their maritime border. Abd al-Mahdi said
Kuwait had a moral obligation to help end Iraq's sanctions
but at the same time Iraq must be realistic in what can be
done about UN sanctions in the short term.

PCNS to Meet

BAGHDAD 00001542 002 OF 002


--------------


8. (C) Abd al-Mahdi confirmed that the Political Council on
National Security (PCNS) would meet that evening (June 11).
(Note: The PCNS is a forum comprised of PM Maliki, other
important ministers, the three Presidents and all party bloc
leaders, whose aim is to gain consensus on the most
contentious pieces of legislation. The PCNS last met in
November when parliament was debating whether to approve the
U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement. End note.) When asked why
Maliki had called the PCNS, Abd al-Mahdi said Maliki "feels
he is surrounded" by his opponents. Abd al-Mahdi said
President Talabani convinced Maliki to convene the PCNS to
widen political dialogue.

VP on Iranian Elections
--------------


9. (C) Abd al-Mahdi noted a shift the Iranian election in
favor of Mir Hossein Mousavi. The street-level rallies
against the reelection of President Ahmadinejad have been
"spontaneous," Abd al-Mahdi said, and represent a positive
development for Iran. Abd al-Mahdi criticized Ahmadinejad
for saying "many foolish things." The Ambassador stressed
there is room for Iran to play a positive role but it must
stop sending weapons into Iraq. Some rockets that have
targeted the International Zone and the U.S. Embassy were
produced in Iran, the Ambassador said.
HILL