UK NAVAL TRAINING MISSION SET TO RETURN TO IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003004

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS UK IZ
SUBJECT: UK NAVAL TRAINING MISSION SET TO RETURN TO IRAQI
WATERS

REF: A. A. BAGHDAD2755

B. B. BAGHDAD2273

Classified By: Classified By: Political Military Minister Counselor Cam
eron Munter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).



1. (C) Summary: President Jalal Talabani earlier this week
confirmed for the British Ambassador that the UK-Iraq
bilateral security agreement has passed the Presidency
Council and the British naval training contingent can return
to Iraqi waters. Upon receiving this confirmation, the UK is
planning to being returning naval training personnel and
assets to Iraq. End Summary

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Background: UK naval mission initially held up
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2. (C) After an agreement to continue the UK naval training
mission stalled in the Council of Representatives (COR) in
July, the UK pulled its naval trainers out of Iraqi waters.
The COR eventually passed the bilateral security agreement on
October 13 and British ships have been awaiting ratification
of the agreement by the Iraqi Presidency Council before they
could return (Ref A). Prior to July, the UK naval training
mission had included up to 100 UK personnel training the
Iraqi Navy at the Port of Umm Qasr, a naval ship and crew
participating in NAVCENT operations to secure Iraqi oil
platforms in the Persian Gulf, and staff officers embedded in
Multi-National Force-Iraq (Ref B).

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A Breakthrough on Both Sides
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3. (C) Post had learned that there was an internal UK debate
regarding whether an exchange of diplomatic notes would be
required after the bilateral security agreement passed the
Presidency Council. Embassy London reached out to the UK
Foreign Office to note the US desire for the British naval
training mission to return to Iraq as soon as possible. The
UK Government decided earlier this week that an exchange of
notes was not required and, upon receiving confirmation from
President Talabani that the agreement passed the Presidency
Council, the UK Ministry of Defense agreed to return the
naval training mission.

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Comment
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4. (C) The return of the UK ships and trainers will once
again provide the British with an enhanced presence in the
Middle East and a close partnership with the U.S. military,
in addition to filling critical needs for Iraq's maritime
security.

HILL