Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD2397
2009-09-06 14:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
ZEBARI SAYS IRAN WANTS TO TRADE FOR THE THREE
how-toVZCZCXRO9699 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUEHGB #2397 2491405 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061405Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4604 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002397
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PTER CASC IR IZ
SUBJECT: ZEBARI SAYS IRAN WANTS TO TRADE FOR THE THREE
DETAINED AMCITS
REF: BAGHDAD 2363
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Gary A. Grappo, for reasons
1.4 b and d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002397
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PTER CASC IR IZ
SUBJECT: ZEBARI SAYS IRAN WANTS TO TRADE FOR THE THREE
DETAINED AMCITS
REF: BAGHDAD 2363
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Gary A. Grappo, for reasons
1.4 b and d.
1. (C) Iraqi FM Hoshyar Zebari informed Pol M/C September 1
that Iranian FM Mottaki told him during his August 29 visit
that Iran wants to trade the three Amcits detained since July
30 in exchange for seven Iranians held in Europe and the U.S.
(NOTE: Zebari did not have information on which seven
Iranians Mottaki was referring to. END NOTE.) Mottaki
explained that his government wanted to use the three as
hostages in bargaining for the detained Iranians. Among the
European countries mentioned were Britain and France. Zebari
said he advised Mottaki that the Iranian government should
not try to play "such a dirty game" and told HIM it was bad
idea. Mottaki also noted that it remained for the time being
the policy of the Iranian government to deny publicly that it
was holding the three Americans.
2. (C) According to Zebari, FM Mottaki had initially denied
to him that Iran had the three in custody, a deception he had
first used at a joint press conference following their
discussions in Baghdad about the rise in tensions with Syria
(reported Reftel). Zebari said he called him on the lie,
noting that Iran's ambassador to Iraq, as well as a
provincial governor in Kurdish Iran, had already admitted
that Iran had the Americans in custody. Zebari said he was
not sure about the charges or circumstances under which the
Iranians were being held in custody.
HILL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PTER CASC IR IZ
SUBJECT: ZEBARI SAYS IRAN WANTS TO TRADE FOR THE THREE
DETAINED AMCITS
REF: BAGHDAD 2363
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Gary A. Grappo, for reasons
1.4 b and d.
1. (C) Iraqi FM Hoshyar Zebari informed Pol M/C September 1
that Iranian FM Mottaki told him during his August 29 visit
that Iran wants to trade the three Amcits detained since July
30 in exchange for seven Iranians held in Europe and the U.S.
(NOTE: Zebari did not have information on which seven
Iranians Mottaki was referring to. END NOTE.) Mottaki
explained that his government wanted to use the three as
hostages in bargaining for the detained Iranians. Among the
European countries mentioned were Britain and France. Zebari
said he advised Mottaki that the Iranian government should
not try to play "such a dirty game" and told HIM it was bad
idea. Mottaki also noted that it remained for the time being
the policy of the Iranian government to deny publicly that it
was holding the three Americans.
2. (C) According to Zebari, FM Mottaki had initially denied
to him that Iran had the three in custody, a deception he had
first used at a joint press conference following their
discussions in Baghdad about the rise in tensions with Syria
(reported Reftel). Zebari said he called him on the lie,
noting that Iran's ambassador to Iraq, as well as a
provincial governor in Kurdish Iran, had already admitted
that Iran had the Americans in custody. Zebari said he was
not sure about the charges or circumstances under which the
Iranians were being held in custody.
HILL