DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001647 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2019 TAGS: IZ PREL PGOV KPAL XF EAID SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL REF: SECSTATE 62909 Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Steve Walker for reason 1.4 ( d). ¶1. (C) Deputy PolCouns conveyed reftel demarche to Mohammed Al-Hamaimidi, Director of the North America office at the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on June 22. Stressing that all parties had a responsibility to take constructive steps to achieve a comprehensive peace, Deputy PolCouns urged that Iraq bolster moderate Arab support for practical steps at the June 24 Arab League Ministerial that would move the process forward. He acknowledged that there had been criticism of PM Netanyahu,s recent speech, but called attention to the Israeli leader,s comments on a future Palestinian state. Iraq and other Arab League members need to support President Abbas, he said. ¶2. (C) Al-Hamaimidi agreed on the need for action by moderate Arab countries in support of the Arab Peace Initiative, and undertook to convey our ideas up his chain of command. FORD