FM ZEBARI DEMARCHED ON IRAN, COMMENTS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002762 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ TU SY SUBJECT: FM ZEBARI DEMARCHED ON IRAN, COMMENTS ON NEIGHBORS, APPOINTMENT OF UN OFFICIAL REF: SECSTATE 103219 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Gary A. Grappo for reason 1 .4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In an October 12 meeting, A/DCM delivered the (reftel) points relating to the P5 1 talks with Iran to FM Zebari. Zebari responded with a brief readout from a recent meeting with Iranian President Ahmedinajad, suggesting that Iran will not immediately comply with P5 1 demands. The FM hinted that the three Americans being held in Iranian captivity (reported septel) might be used as "bargaining chips" in a possible exchange. Zebari also commented on a perceived GOI stalemate in talks with Syria and Turkey, simultaneously relaying a positive outlook on trade agreements between Turkey and Iraq and hope for "a regional solution" to Syrian-Iraqi tensions. The FM requested USG assistance with efforts to move forward in resolving Chapter VII issues with Kuwait. Zebari offered GOI assistance with obtaining Iraqi visas for American journalists and condemned the September 28 beating of four American Dynacore PSD employees. FM Zebari repeatedly and emphatically emphasized the importance of USG support for the appointment of a senior UN official to lead an investigation into the August 19 bombing. End summary. ZEBARI RESPONSE TO BRIEFING ON P5 1 TALKS WITH IRAN -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) A/DCM October 12 delivered (reftel) points to Iraqi FM Hoshyar Zebari, emphasizing the need for the GOI to encourage Iranian engagement in future P5 1 talks. Zebari responded that in a recent meeting with Iranian president Ahmedinajad, the GOI urged Iran to be "credible and transparent" in dealings with the P5 1 and the IAEA. The FM suggested that Iran's strategy is to "extend its window", suggesting non-compliance with the requests made during the P5 1 talks. "They will try to stretch this out as long as possible," he offered. ¶3. (C) The GOI passed a list of Americans being held in Iran to Ahmedinajad, who stated that the individuals being held in Iran are "suspicious persons". Zebari intimated to the A/DCM that the individuals may be used as a "bargaining chip" in future "hostage" exchanges. He added that Iranian individuals were recently captured in Saudi Arabia by foreign forces, a development that might present an opportunity for such an exchange. STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF USG SUPPORT FOR UN INVOLVEMENT -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Zebari described recent conversations with UNSYG reiterating the need for the appointment of a senior UN official to investigate the August 19 bombing. He expressed frustration at the resistance of the Secretariat to move forward with the appointment, stating that the USG "must champion the cause" of an investigation into the incident if it is to succeed. The FM indicated that the lack of movement on the appointment "would be seen as a GOI failure", a development that would be used for political purposes to attack the PM, as well as the GOI. He further suggested that the inception of a UN-led investigation would put pressure on Syria that could help break its alliance with Iran. FM Zebari said that all security agencies and ministries across the GOI have unified their investigation into the August 19 bombing. In an effort "not to politicize" the issue of UN involvement, Zebari stated that this committee would serve as the contact point for matters related to the appointment of a senior UN official to lead the investigation. ¶5. (C) The FM repeatedly expressed disappointment in not Q 5. (C) The FM repeatedly expressed disappointment in not finding more USG support for the appointment of a senior UN investigator in his conversations with USG officials in New York. He stated that there is a "great deal of confusion" on the GOI's request and that he did a considerable amount of "educational work" to brief senior USG officials on the background of GOI's request. He stated that the GOI was "preoccupied" with its advocacy for the appointment during meetings in New York. Zebari added that while the governments of France, Russia, and Britain expressed varying degrees of support for the appointment, it is unlikely to materialize unless the USG "puts its full strength" behind the effort. The British urged Zebari to "talk to your friends" on the issue, to communicate that lukewarm USG support had been an obstacle to expediting movement on the appointment, the FM reported. ZEBARI SEES CHAPTER VII AS CRITICAL REGIONAL ISSUE -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Zebari proposed that swift resolution of Iraq's BAGHDAD 00002762 002 OF 002 Chapter VII status is the "most important issue" it faces with its neighbors. The FM commented that while the MFA urges the USG to implement a road map to resolve the remaining obligations on Iraq under Chapter VII, Iraqi PM al-Maliki's position on this strategy is "awkward". He acknowledged the particular importance of resolving UNSCR 833, but based on his conversations with GOK officials at UNGA, he stated, the GOK position on GOI's compliance with UNSCR 833 is "unmovable" due to GOK's resistance to negotiating Iraq-Kuwait maritime boundaries. The FM expressed that the bilateral discussions were "stuck" because of this issue, and that moving forward would require broader involvement. A/DCM responded that the USG would look into providing some ideas for moving forward with discussions about UNSCR 833 and other Chapter VII considerations. MEETINGS WITH TURKEY AND SYRIA -------------- ¶7. (C) The FM reflected on the September 9 talks in Cairo and September 17 talks in Istanbul with Syrian FM Mu'allim and Turkish FM Davutoglu to discuss Iraq-Syrian tensions in the wake of the August 19 bombing. In his view, "no constructive proposals were presented by the Turks" for mediating the tensions. Zebari suggested that the GOI is not interested in continuing these discussions unless "a third party" observes and participates in them. Zebari criticized the Turkish mediation for being too passive. He emphasized that the GOI "embraces a regional solution", and that the GOI is awaiting a visit by Turkish FM Davutoglu to Baghdad to discuss regional issues. ¶8. (C) Zebari positively described progress on the Turkey-Iraq Strategic Cooperation Council. He noted that trade agreements with Turkey are a focal point of Turkey-Iraq relations at the present time. He stated that Turkish PM Erdogan will visit Baghdad this week to sign agreements in the areas of trade, water, agriculture, and security with Iraqi PM al-Maliki. MFA SUPPORT FOR VISAS AND PROTECTION OF VIENNA CONVENTION -------------- -------------- ¶9. (C) A/DCM raised the points outlined in a diplomatic note sent to the MFA about the September 28 beatings of four Dynacore PSD employees in an altercation with Iraqi soldiers at a checkpoint in Baghdad, underscoring the unacceptable nature of the incident. He urged the MFA to take action to ensure the prevention of future incidents of a similar nature. FM Zebari condemned the beatings and responded that the MFA conducted an independent investigation of the incident, raising the issue with other GOI ministries. ¶10. (C) A/DCM also urged FM Zebari to assist American journalists waiting for visas to enter Iraq after the recent suspension of visa issuances by the Iraqi Embassy in Washington. FM Zebari requested the names of these journalists, and pledged to contact the Interior Ministry to expedite these cases. NEW IRAQI AMBASSADORS AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF MFA -------------- -------------- ¶11. (C) Elaborating on diplomatic developments in Iraq, FM Zebari stated that 57 Iraqi ambassadors convened with GOI officials on October 12 and will begin a five-to-six week training course in preparation for their assignments. He complimented the diverse and highly educated pool of ambassadors, four of whom are women. He stated that the GOI has not yet decided on country assignments for the ambassadors, but pledged to alert USG officials when the appointments to other Arab countries are made. ¶12. (C) In the wake of the August 19 bombing, FM Zebari Q12. (C) In the wake of the August 19 bombing, FM Zebari stated that the GOI is engaged in reconstruction efforts, which are running slightly behind schedule. A/DCM responded that the USG is looking into what actions it can take to assist with the reconstruction efforts. HILL