Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DOHA99
2009-02-09 14:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Doha
Cable title:
GOQ TAKES STEP TOWARD BROADER ENGAGEMENT IN IRAQ
how-toVZCZCXRO6332 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHDO #0099 0401417 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 091417Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY DOHA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8718 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0259
UNCLAS DOHA 000099
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KREL QA IZ
SUBJECT: GOQ TAKES STEP TOWARD BROADER ENGAGEMENT IN IRAQ
----------
KEY POINTS
----------
-- The GOQ signed a MOU with the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional
Government February 8 that holds out the possibility,
assuming the approval of the Iraqi government, that Qatar
would open a consulate in the Kurdish region, and that the
KRG would open an office in Doha.
-- The agreement was signed during a visit by the president
of Iraq's Kurdish region, Massud Barzani, which included a
meeting with Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
-- Kurdish officials stressed that the MOU is part of a
broader plan to deepen the political and economic relations
between Iraq and Qatar, according to press reports.
-- A political officer at the Iraqi Embassy in Doha told
Poloff Caudill on February 9 that he had no details on the
MOU other than those reported in the press.
--------
COMMENTS
--------
-- As the security situation in Iraq improves, the signing of
the MOU may signal a growing willingness by the GOQ to engage
there politically and economically, something Qatar has
previously resisted.
End Key Points and Comments.
UNCLAS DOHA 000099
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KREL QA IZ
SUBJECT: GOQ TAKES STEP TOWARD BROADER ENGAGEMENT IN IRAQ
--------------
KEY POINTS
--------------
-- The GOQ signed a MOU with the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional
Government February 8 that holds out the possibility,
assuming the approval of the Iraqi government, that Qatar
would open a consulate in the Kurdish region, and that the
KRG would open an office in Doha.
-- The agreement was signed during a visit by the president
of Iraq's Kurdish region, Massud Barzani, which included a
meeting with Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
-- Kurdish officials stressed that the MOU is part of a
broader plan to deepen the political and economic relations
between Iraq and Qatar, according to press reports.
-- A political officer at the Iraqi Embassy in Doha told
Poloff Caudill on February 9 that he had no details on the
MOU other than those reported in the press.
--------------
COMMENTS
--------------
-- As the security situation in Iraq improves, the signing of
the MOU may signal a growing willingness by the GOQ to engage
there politically and economically, something Qatar has
previously resisted.
End Key Points and Comments.
¶1. On February 8 the GOQ signed a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG) paving the way for cooperation on
infrastructure development, agriculture, and aviation. The
agreement was signed during a visit by the president of
Iraq's Kurdish region, Massud Barzani, which included a
meeting with Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The MOU was
signed by Imad Ahmed, KRG Minister of Reconstruction and
Housing, and MFA Minister of State for International
Cooperation and Conferences Khalid Al-Attiyah.
¶2. The terms of the MOU held out the possibility that Qatar
would open a consulate in the Kurdish region, and that the
KRG would open an office in Doha. Imad Ahmed stressed that
all agreements entered into between the KRG and foreign
governments are done with the knowledge of the Iraqi Foreign
Ministry. Therefore, the reciprocal opening
of offices would be subject to approval by the Government of
Iraq.
¶3. Ahmed pointed out, however, that the MOU is part of a
broader plan to deepen the political and economic relations
between Iraq and Qatar, including the Kurdish region.
¶4. Yasser Al-Moeid, political officer at the Iraqi Embassy
in Doha, told Poloff Caudill on February 9 that he had no
details on the MOU other than those reported in the press.
LeBaron