FM ZEBARI ACCEPTS AMBASSADOR'S CONDOLENCES; SAYS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002272 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019 TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV IZ SUBJECT: FM ZEBARI ACCEPTS AMBASSADOR'S CONDOLENCES; SAYS GOI READY TO MOVE ON TRILATERAL BORDER EFFORT REF: BAGHDAD 2270 Classified By: Ambassador Christopher R. Hill, for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador visited the heavily damaged MFA building August 22 to offer his condolences on the bombings in Baghdad. Meeting in a room that had been largely cleared of damage for a makeshift receiving room, but surrounded by rooms and hallways filled with shattered glass, debris, and even fetid garbage, the Ambassador told the FM the U.S. felt a special kinship with the MFA and would look into what help we might provide to help it get back up and running. Zebari criticized the GOI for serious security lapses that allowed the bombing to occur and repeated his August 21 accusation that neighboring countries had been involved. Regarding the trilateral border assessment, he said the decision had been taken to participate and the Iraqis needed just 48 hours notice to be ready. His DFM was putting together a six-man interagency team to represent Iraq. End Summary. Feeling the MFA's Pain -------------- ¶2. (C) In an August 22 meeting at the heavily damaged Iraqi Foreign Ministry building, FM Zebari expressed appreciation for the Ambassador's offer of condolences on the August 19 bombings in Baghdad. The Ambassador noted that the Embassy felt a special kinship with MFA and said that the USG would work with the Iraqis as they rebuilt and worked to get the Ministry back up and running. The FM expressed gratitude for the offer of assistance and noted that "We may need your help." Zebari said the MFA building had definitely sustained structural damage and it was not yet known if it could be reinforced and renovated and eventually reoccupied. Casualties and Condolences -------------- ¶3. (C) Reviewing casualties at the MFA, Zebari reported 42 fatalities and 60-plus injured in the attack (more than initially reported reftel). Despite the terrible blow the MFA and GOI had sustained, they were determined not to give in. Zebari reported that expressions of condolence and condemnation had poured in from the Security Council and all over the world. He mentioned in particular that Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal had called him to express condolences. Criticizing His Own government -------------- ¶4. (C) He complimented the security forces inside the MFA perimeter (noting somewhat uneasily when asked that they were predominantly made up of Kurdish Peshmerga forces). However, sharpening the tone he used August 21 with the diplomatic corps, Zebari criticized his own government for the security lapses that had allowed the attack on the MFA. He questioned how Iraqi security forces had allowed such a heavy, large truck to circulate so freely in rush hour traffic so close to such a sensitive site. The FM also questioned the GOI's decision to take down security barriers and remove checkpoints, hinting that the effort to demonstrate normalization had been implemented too quickly. More generally, he lamented that GOI checkpoints are not effective because the security forces manning them were undisciplined and unfocused. ¶5. (C) Describing security camera footage at the MFA just moments prior to the attack, Zebari described the truck as weighing some four tons, according to his experts, and full of red plastic water containers that were normally made in Syria. (He also criticized the intelligence services, saying they had no information or intelligence after the attack until the MFA gave them its CCTV footage.) Later in the conversation, he underscored that the attacks had been Qconversation, he underscored that the attacks had been mounted with the help of a neighboring country, and noted in passing that Syria, Iran, and Turkey, for example, had all made statements in the past year that they would take action to fill any vacuum left by departing American troops. He pointed out that that three other attacks had been foiled the same day, one in Baghdad (with some two tons of explosives) and two in the northern province of Dohuk. Site Visit to Blast Area -------------- ¶6. (C) After the meeting the Ambassador, Acting CG Lt. Gen Hoenzeker, Pol M/C Grappo, Special Advisor, and POLOFF notetaker accompanied the Iraqi FM to view the scenes of shocking devastation outside the Ministry. Dozens of charred vehicles lay on the streets in front of the Ministry the BAGHDAD 00002272 002 OF 002 attack occurred. The side of the building that absorbed the blast was sheered off in places, with some individual floors appearing ready to pancake. The large blast crater (about 8 feet deep and 30 feet across, according to the MFA engineer) had filled with water from leaking water pipes. Iraqis Ready to Go on Border Assessment -------------- ¶7. (C) Regarding the trilateral border security assessment, FM Zebari said the GOI was ready to participate. He said he had talked with the PM and told him "to let bygones be bygones. Our American friends want us" involved in this effort. He said DFM Labeed Abbawi was putting together a team of six officers from different GOI agencies/services. Zebari and Abbawi said the GOI only needed 48 hours notice to be ready to go. HILL