RSO MEETING WITH ERBIL POLICE CHIEF

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000792 DEPT FOR M, DS, DS/DSS, DS/DSS/IP, DS/DO/ICI, AND NEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2019 TAGS: ASEC SUBJECT: RSO MEETING WITH ERBIL POLICE CHIEF REF: 08 BAGHDAD 3660 Classified By: RSO MARK HIPP; Reason 1.5 (c) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On 03/19/2009, the RSO met with the Erbil Police Chief, Brigadier General Adbulkhaliq Talat, to extend courtesies, discuss items of mutual interest, and forge a working protocol regarding notification of incidents and investigations that cross into Iraqi jurisdiction. The Police Chief welcomed the visit, emphasizing that his office would continue to provide assistance to the official American community whenever needed. The RSO thanked the Police Chief for his attentiveness and valuable assistance to date. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On 03/19/2009, the RSO met with the Erbil Police Chief, Brigadier General Adbulkhaliq Talat, to extend courtesies, discuss items of mutual interest, and forge a working protocol regarding notification of incidents and investigations that cross into Iraqi jurisdiction. The RSO thanked the General for his support of our operations and discussed the importance of "normalizing" our investigative and liaison outreach. The RSO explained to General Talat that the main purpose of his visit was to provide notification to the General of the facts surrounding a recent death of a contract employee that occurred at RRT Erbil and discuss setting up a better line of communication with the police to deal more effectively with similar incidents in the future. The RSO outlined our current investigative response to major felony crimes and stressed to the General that we were seeking a joint approach to serious incidents involving Embassy personnel. General Talat greeted this information positively and opined that a close working relationship would be mutually beneficial to all involved. The General did not see a reason to get involved in the current ongoing investigation into the recent death, but he stated that in the future, he would prefer that the RRT RSO contact him directly and that he would ensure that the necessary police support would be made available. ¶3. (SBU) The RSO conveyed his appreciation to the General for his continued special interest and protection of the American community in Erbil. Post will keep the Department apprised of any pertinent developments with regards to host country security assistance and response. BUTENIS