Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD2181
2009-08-12 15:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER ZEBARI ON 3 AMCITS IN
how-toVZCZCXRO0753 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUEHGB #2181 2241536 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121536Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4306 INFO RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY 0044 RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002181
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2019
TAGS: CASC IR IZ PREL
SUBJECT: IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER ZEBARI ON 3 AMCITS IN
IRANIAN CUSTODY
REF: BAGHDAD 2065 AND 2067
Classified By: DCM Robert Ford, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002181
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2019
TAGS: CASC IR IZ PREL
SUBJECT: IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER ZEBARI ON 3 AMCITS IN
IRANIAN CUSTODY
REF: BAGHDAD 2065 AND 2067
Classified By: DCM Robert Ford, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari confirmed to DCM
August 12 that he had raised the situation of the three
American citizens detained in Iran with Iranian Ambassador
Qomi on August 8. Zebari said he had told Qomi that the
three should be released immediately. According to Zebari,
Qomi returned to him on August 10 with a response from
Teheran. Zebari reported that Qomi told him that Iran was
indeed holding the Americans. Qomi also stated that the
three Americans would not/not be charged with espionage.
However, Qomi also told Zebari that he had received no
indication from Teheran that the three Americans would be
released.
2. (C) Zebari speculated that the Iranian Revolutionary
Guard Corps had custody of the three Americans. He also
opined that gaining control of the three Americans was a
quote gift unquote for Iran. Zebari speculated that Iran
would use the Americans as leverage in future bargaining with
the Americans. He could not identify what the Iranians might
want, however.
HILL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2019
TAGS: CASC IR IZ PREL
SUBJECT: IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER ZEBARI ON 3 AMCITS IN
IRANIAN CUSTODY
REF: BAGHDAD 2065 AND 2067
Classified By: DCM Robert Ford, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari confirmed to DCM
August 12 that he had raised the situation of the three
American citizens detained in Iran with Iranian Ambassador
Qomi on August 8. Zebari said he had told Qomi that the
three should be released immediately. According to Zebari,
Qomi returned to him on August 10 with a response from
Teheran. Zebari reported that Qomi told him that Iran was
indeed holding the Americans. Qomi also stated that the
three Americans would not/not be charged with espionage.
However, Qomi also told Zebari that he had received no
indication from Teheran that the three Americans would be
released.
2. (C) Zebari speculated that the Iranian Revolutionary
Guard Corps had custody of the three Americans. He also
opined that gaining control of the three Americans was a
quote gift unquote for Iran. Zebari speculated that Iran
would use the Americans as leverage in future bargaining with
the Americans. He could not identify what the Iranians might
want, however.
HILL