Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD2563
2009-09-24 08:23:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER ON DISPUTED INTERNAL BOUNDARIES AND
how-toVZCZCXRO3485 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUEHGB #2563 2670823 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 240823Z SEP 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4817 INFO RUEHC/OPEC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 002563
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2029
TAGS: PREL ECON ENRG EPET IR IZ SY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ON DISPUTED INTERNAL BOUNDARIES AND
ELECTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Chris Hill for reasons 1.5 b,d
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 002563
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2029
TAGS: PREL ECON ENRG EPET IR IZ SY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ON DISPUTED INTERNAL BOUNDARIES AND
ELECTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Chris Hill for reasons 1.5 b,d
1. (S) In a September 22 meeting, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki told the Ambassador that he felt the Council of
Representatives (CoR, the Iraqi Parliament) is no longer
effective and cannot be relied upon to pass legislation. The
GOI, he said, is effectively at a standstill. The CoR is not
able to deal at present with Article 140 matters or to focus
on a resolution of the Kirkuk issue. Instead, Maliki said,
the GOI must focus on measures to "keep the status quo." He
said there must be efforts to engage both sides in dialogue
and confidence building measures. Preventing any fighting in
the disputed territories between now and the elections is a
good goal. "More than this," he said, "is not possible."
2. (S) Asked by the Ambassador about the proposed joint
patrolling in the disputed territories, Maliki said, "That
was originally my idea: joint Iraqi ARMY and Peshmerga
patrols, with support from U.S. forces." He said he hoped to
make the Peshmerga part of the Iraqi defense forces, "but the
Kirkuk Arabs and Turkman" opposed it, even though they know
Maliki supported the concept. He characterized this reaction
as "a mistake on their part." Given the opposition to his
plan, however, he agreed with Multi-National Forces Iraq
Commanding General Odierno to "tone it down."
3. (S) Turning to the electoral process generally, Maliki
noted that "there are some who do not want national elections
at all," a stance he said was "dangerous" and "a threat to
Iraq,s democratic political process." If elections do not
take place and on time, he said, the political process in
Iraq will stop. Some politicians have suggested that the
current government could merely remain in office, but Maliki
dismissed this idea, saying that it would "paralyze
government" and would leave the GOI "with no role except to
pay salaries." The majority of Iraqis oppose delaying the
elections, he said. If it comes to that, an election on time
with a closed list would be better than no election at all,
he emphasized.
HILL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2029
TAGS: PREL ECON ENRG EPET IR IZ SY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ON DISPUTED INTERNAL BOUNDARIES AND
ELECTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Chris Hill for reasons 1.5 b,d
1. (S) In a September 22 meeting, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki told the Ambassador that he felt the Council of
Representatives (CoR, the Iraqi Parliament) is no longer
effective and cannot be relied upon to pass legislation. The
GOI, he said, is effectively at a standstill. The CoR is not
able to deal at present with Article 140 matters or to focus
on a resolution of the Kirkuk issue. Instead, Maliki said,
the GOI must focus on measures to "keep the status quo." He
said there must be efforts to engage both sides in dialogue
and confidence building measures. Preventing any fighting in
the disputed territories between now and the elections is a
good goal. "More than this," he said, "is not possible."
2. (S) Asked by the Ambassador about the proposed joint
patrolling in the disputed territories, Maliki said, "That
was originally my idea: joint Iraqi ARMY and Peshmerga
patrols, with support from U.S. forces." He said he hoped to
make the Peshmerga part of the Iraqi defense forces, "but the
Kirkuk Arabs and Turkman" opposed it, even though they know
Maliki supported the concept. He characterized this reaction
as "a mistake on their part." Given the opposition to his
plan, however, he agreed with Multi-National Forces Iraq
Commanding General Odierno to "tone it down."
3. (S) Turning to the electoral process generally, Maliki
noted that "there are some who do not want national elections
at all," a stance he said was "dangerous" and "a threat to
Iraq,s democratic political process." If elections do not
take place and on time, he said, the political process in
Iraq will stop. Some politicians have suggested that the
current government could merely remain in office, but Maliki
dismissed this idea, saying that it would "paralyze
government" and would leave the GOI "with no role except to
pay salaries." The majority of Iraqis oppose delaying the
elections, he said. If it comes to that, an election on time
with a closed list would be better than no election at all,
he emphasized.
HILL