ISCI'S HAKIM DISCUSSES ELECTORAL POLITICS AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002977

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ EINV
SUBJECT: ISCI'S HAKIM DISCUSSES ELECTORAL POLITICS AND
FOREIGN INVESTMENT WITH AMBASSADOR

REF: BAGHDAD 02907

Classified By: Ambassador Christopher R. Hill for reason 1.4 (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. During a November 1 meeting, the Chairman of
the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI),Ammar al-Hakim,
told the Ambassador that U.S. praise for "secular" parties
could be viewed as approval of the Ba'ath Party. Hakim
lauded the October 20-21 Business Investment Conference in
Washington as a positive symbol of the new U.S.-Iraq
relationship. The Ambassador welcomed Hakim's proposed visit
to Arab states as a way to change perceptions of Iraq in the
region. END SUMMARY.

"Secular Liberals" = Ba'athists?
--------------


2. (C) Hakim offered the Ambassador his "frank" thoughts on
the continuing danger of the Ba'ath Party, which he claimed
was using the cover of "secular, liberal, and civic" trends
to penetrate Iraqi politics and regain power. Hakim stated
that because the Iraqi people remain fearful of the Ba'ath
Party, he hoped the Ambassador's "blessings" of new secular
political alliances would not be perceived by Iraqis as
encouragement for a Ba'athist resurgence. Hakim explained
that in Iraqis' minds, "secular liberal" parties are often
conflated with the former regime. The Ambassador replied
that the United States has been careful not to endorse any
party or alliance for the election.


3. (C) After the meeting, Haitham al-Husseini, Hakim's
assistant, confirmed that Hakim was referring to the newly
formed electoral alliance headed by former PM Ayad Allawi and
Sunni hardliner MP Salih Mutlaq (ref). Husseini later
clarified to Poloff that Hakim raised this topic because of a
media story that erroneously quoted the Ambassador as
"blessing" Iraq's new secular parties. Husseini said Hakim
wanted to make sure Iraqis did not see this quote as an
endorsement of a particular alliance. Poloff reiterated that
the USG supported the emergence of cross-sectarian, national
alliances, but did not support a particular alliance.

Praise for Business and Investment Conference
--------------


4. (C) Hakim praised the October 20-21 Iraq Business and
Investment conference held in Washington as a symbol of the
new U.S.-Iraq relationship, but asked whether the focus on
Afghanistan would cause the United States to lose interest in
Iraq. The Ambassador responded that the U.S. desire for a
strategic relationship with a strong Iraq remains unchanged
and that the United States understands Iraq's long-term
importance. Hakim stressed the need for "practical"
application of U.S.-Iraq economic ties, saying only when
there are "hundreds of projects and thousands of (American)
investors, will we see the fruits of our labor" over these
past years.


5. (C) Hakim continued that integration into the
international economy is firmly in Iraq's interests. The
Ambassador predicted that after a successful national
election, Iraq could see a great deal of foreign investment,
especially from energy and infrastructure companies. Hakim
informed the Ambassador of his interest in taking a tour of
countries in the region in the near future, potentially
before the January election. The Ambassador welcomed this
plan as a way to change erroneous perceptions about Iraq in
the region. Responding to a verbal invitation to visit the
United States, Hakim said he also hopes to visit senior U.S.
officials at some time in the future.
HILL