GOI INTENTIONS AND PLANS TO NEGOTIATE A

UNCLAS STATE 038656 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECIN IZ KJUS OVIP PGOV PHUM PINS PREL SUBJECT: GOI INTENTIONS AND PLANS TO NEGOTIATE A RESOLUTION OF AMERICAN VICTIMS' CLAIMS REF: A. 2008BAGHDAD2545 ¶B. 2008USUN1202 ¶C. 2009STATE17748 ¶1. (U) This is an action cable for Embassy Baghdad requesting delivery by hand of the letter included below to Dr. Fadel Jawad Khadum, Legal Adviser to the Prime Minister. Embassy Baghdad is asked to confirm delivery of the letter, report on Dr. Fadel's response and follow-up to confirm specific plans and arrangements. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy Baghdad is asked to ensure prompt delivery of the letter and to take the occasion to emphasize to Dr. Fadel the importance of committing to specific plans for promptly bringing a duly authorized delegation to Washington to negotiate matters related to settlment of American victims claims. To emphasize the importance of this matter, Embassy Baghdad may consider having one of its most senior officials deliver this message. ¶3. (SBU) The text of the letter from the Department of State Acting Legal Adviser Joan Donoghue to Dr. Fadel follows: -------------- Begin Text of Letter -------------- Dear Dr. Fadel: Thank you for your recent visit to Washington. I am pleased that we had open and fruitful discussions and have laid the groundwork for resolving the matter of the claims of U.S. victims of the Saddam Hussein regime. I understand that you have now returned to Baghdad to report on our discussions. I have briefed Secretary Clinton, who expressed her support for continuing collaboration between our governments to resolve claims against Iraq brought by U.S. victims of the Saddam Hussein regime. You should be aware that there is strong and increasing Congressional interest in quickly addressing such claims. We expect that when the Beaty case is argued to the Supreme Court on April 20 there will be additional interest from Congress and perhaps the media, as well. We discussed the possibility, if authorized by your government, of an Iraqi delegation returning to Washington in April to open negotiations. We would urge you to follow-up soon to confirm this approach. At such a meeting, we would be prepared to propose concrete ideas for a government-to-government resolution of these claims and to incorporate the ideas and concerns of the Iraqi Government so that together we can make tangible progress toward reaching a mutually acceptable resolution of this problem. We share with Iraq the common goals of securing legal peace with respect to U.S. victims' claims and providing suitable compensation, in a manner acceptable to both governments. I appreciate your readiness to work collaboratively to achieve these goals and look forward to speaking with you again soon in order to confirm the details surrounding your return with a delegation to Washington. Sincerely, Joan Donoghue Acting Legal Adviser Office of The Legal Adviser -------------- End Text of Letter -------------- ¶4. (U) POC in Washington for any questions or concerns related to this matter is Mary Mitchell: MitchellMT(at)State.sgov.gov or MitchellMT(at)State.gov; phone: 1-202-647-2007. CLINTON