Secretary Clinton?s July 24, 2009 Higher

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 080762 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV EINV EPET SOCI OVIP CLINTON HILLARY),IZ SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton?s July 24, 2009 Higher Coordination Committee Meeting with Iraq REF: STATE 77718 ¶1. Classified by NEA Acting Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman for Reason: 1.4 (d) ¶2. July 24, 2009; 3:30 PM; Washington, DC. ¶3. Participants: U.S. Secretary Ambassador Christopher Hill NEA A/S Feltman PA A/S Philip Crowley USAID A/A Alonzo Fulgham DOJ D A/F David Ogden U/S Judith McHale Commerce A U/S Michelle O?Neal Treasury A A/S Andrew Baukol PRM A A/S Samuel Witten USTR A/USTR Michael Delaney STAS Dr. Nina Fedoroff U/S Policy Michelle Flournoy INL A/S David Johnson USDA U/S Jim Miller Ambassador Richard Morningstar S Deputy COS Huma Abedian S Exec Assistant Joe MacManus OVP Herro Mustafa NSC Molly Phee D (S) Gautam Rana HHS Mark Abdoo EEB/CIP/BA Richard Beaird DOE Al Hegburg NEA Senior Advisor for Iraq and Regional Issues Elissa Slotkin NEA Note taker Donald Cooke Translator Gemal Helal Iraq Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Min. of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari Minister of Defense Lt. Gen Abd al-Qadir Minister of Interior Jawad Bolani Ambassador Samir Sumadie?ie NIC Chairman Sami al-Araji Political Advisor Dr. Sadiq Rikabi Media Advisor Yasin Majeed Education Advisor Dr. Zuhair Hamadi Economic Advisor Moyad Salih Military Attache Ismael Al-Soudani Iraq Cultural Attache Dr. Hadi Al-Khalili Trade Attache Nawfal Alhasan Ministry of Interior Chief of Staff Note taker Note taker ¶4. (C) SUMMARY. On July 24, Secretary Clinton hosted the second meeting of the US-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee (HCC) organized under the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA). The HCC reviewed the major accomplishments of the SFA working groups and four Joint Coordinating Commitees (JCCs in the areas of services and information technology (the Al-Qudas power plant expansion, the Central Euphrates Farmers Market, and the health program for Radiation Oncology),economic and energy (technical assistance to the Ministry of Oil and micro-financing programs),law enforcement and judicial cooperation (exchanges with the FBI),as well as cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation (expansion of the Fulbright Program). Looking ahead, the Iraqi delegation requested the U.S. alter the visa category for Iraqi students (from F to J),review its travel advisory, establish a new JCC on Diplomacy, expand the Department?s role in civilian security assistance, conclude a bilateral agreement on USAID programs, and help get the story of Iraq's progress across to the international press. The U.S. side urged Iraq to ratify bilateral assistance and investment agreements, pass a hydrocarbons law, conclude a bilateral asset transfer agreement, and finalize arrangements with GE on its sale of turbines. Both STATE 00080762 002 OF 005 SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton?s July 24, 2009 Higher Coordination Committee Meeting with Ir sides agreed the next HCC meeting would be held in Baghdad in 2010 to review SFA implementation activities. END SUMMARY. ¶5. (C) The Secretary acknowledged the meetings of the working groups and Joint Coordinating Committees (JCCs). She said that the U.S. will continue to support Iraq as it works to overcome the economic dislocation of two decades of war and dictatorship. In that vein, she applauded the success of the morning?s conference on Iraq at the US Chamber of Commerce and the PM?s announcement of a US-Iraq Business and Investment Summit in October (reftel). She called upon Iraq to take the steps needed, such as implementing commercial laws and regulations, to improve the business climate in Iraq and announced our hosting of the bilateral Dialogue on Economic Cooperation. ¶6. (C) The Secretary congratulated the PM on Iraq's pledge of $2.5 million to double the Fulbright program, making it the largest in the Middle East. She remarked that education is the key investment in development. She continued by pledging our continued support for strengthening Iraq's justice system and assisting in the return of Iraqis displaced from their homes. She finished her remarks emphasizing the critical nature of our relationship and our commitment to strengthening that relationship. ¶7. (C) PM Maliki described the HCC as a major component in Iraq's efforts to become a modern state. He viewed this meeting, which would review the progress of the JCC and working groups, as the true launch of the process of implementing the SFA. While acknowledging the importance of security, he emphasized the importance of rebuilding Iraq in the areas covered by the JCCs. He expressed his satisfaction with the morning's event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which would serve as the prelude to the October Investment Conference, which he called the main phase of rebuilding an infrastructure and economy torn by war and the misadventures of the previous regime. He expressed pride at the announcement of the first 300 students to travel to the United States under the 10,000 student initiative. He stressed the need to cement security gains through cooperation between U.S. agencies and the Iraqi Ministries of Defense and Interior. He charged his Minister of Foreign Affairs to work with us in the United Nations and elsewhere to clean up after effects of the mistakes of the previous regime. ¶8. (C) Ambassador Hill then reported for the U.S. on the progress made by the four JCCs. Under the JCC on Services and Information Technology, he highlighted the work of USAID through its TATWEER program and reported on the Al-Qudas power plant expansion, the Central Euphrates Farmers Market and the health program for Radiation Oncology. In Economic and Energy Cooperation, he pointed to our work in assisting the Ministry of Oil with contracting, licensing, and commercial law. He pointed to work by the Department of Treasury, USAID and OPIC especially their cooperation with the World Bank's International Finance Corporation on micro-finance. In reporting on Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation, his focus was on exchanges, including the three Iraqi candidates accepted into the FBI Academy's Masters Program and the two Iraqis who will participate in the FBI's Arabic Language Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. In Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation, he seconded the Secretary's comment about Iraq?s expansion of the Fulbright Program and recalled the recent reception he hosted for Iraqi Fulbright alumni. He told the story of one woman who, as a 1952 grantee, attended Columbia University. ¶9. (C) Speaking for the Iraqi side, Dr Sami Al-Araji commented on the importance of this work for promoting trade and investment in Iraq. He also provided more details on the October Investment Conference saying that he expected more than 600 U.S. and 100 Iraqi companies to participate. He compared this to the interest shown by European and Asian companies, saying that, while all companies were welcome, he wanted to insure that the U.S. played an important role in the Iraqi economy. The PM's education advisor made two points. First was to emphasize Iraq's commitment to send 10,000 students overseas at the Bachelors, Masters and PhD level. His second point was his intent to reform the Iraqi educational system at all levels. He pleaded with the Secretary to try to streamline the student visa process STATE 00080762 003 OF 005 SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton?s July 24, 2009 Higher Coordination Committee Meeting with Ir and to issue J visas, as opposed to F visas, in order to guarantee that students paid for by the Iraqi government would return to Iraq and not adjust status to remain in the US. PM Maliki seconded this request and the Secretary promised to look into it. The PM confirmed that Education Advisor Dr. Zuhair Humadi would chair the Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation JCC. ¶10. (C) In looking to the next six months, the Secretary urged ratification of the bilateral trade and assistance agreements and passage of the hydrocarbon framework law. She congratulated Iraq on the award of an oil contract and lauded the PM's trip to Turkey to sign the Nabucco Pipeline Agreement saying that his participation was a signal that Iraq was open for business. Foreign Minister Zebari looked forward to the formation of a JCC on Diplomacy now that Ambassador Hill had arrived in Iraq. With the support of PM Maliki, he pointed to the U.S. Travel Advisory as an obstacle to investment in Iraq. He said that the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and South Korea had already modified their advisories and asked that we do the same. The Secretary agreed to review the U.S. advisory. ¶11. (C) Minister of Interior Bolani lauded the success of the June 30 turnover of security responsibilities for the cities. He stated that the Department of State has a role to play in security cooperation. He called on the Secretary to increase cooperation in all aspects of civilian security cooperation and, using Budapest as an example, asked the Secretary to consider the establishment of a joint police training center. He promised that Iraq would do its part to professionalize Iraqi police and security forces. On education, he asked that we designate some US training opportunities for the Ministry of Interior. ¶12. (C) The Secretary emphasized the importance of the Second Meeting of the International Compact for Iraq and enhanced regional cooperation. She called upon Iraq to enter into an asset transfer agreement. She lauded the success of GE in entering into a contract for turbines for electricity generation and expressed the hope that it would be finalized prior to the October Investment Conference. Political Advisor Rikabi made two points. The first was the need to forge an MOU with USAID in order to better coordinate efforts. The second was to lament what he believed to be unduly prejudicial treatment of Iraq in the international press. Acknowledging the lack of control of the press by governments, he asked that we do our best to accurately portray the progress that has been made in Iraq. The Secretary promised that, 'We'll do a better job ' our people will work with yours to convey that to the media.? She said she would encourage journalists to return to Iraq who had not been there since the situation improved. ¶13. (C) Picking up on Rikabi's second point, the Secretary closed the meeting by obtaining agreement to the Joint Press Statement and accompanying PM Maliki to the Joint Press Conference. ¶14. (U) Text of joint press statement: JOINT STATEMENT ON ENHANCED COOPERATION AND FULL ACTIVATION OF THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ (BEGIN TEXT) In response to the invitation of President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited the United States of America to enhance strategic bilateral relations between the two countries. The United States of America and the Republic of Iraq are entering a new phase of relations, moving beyond security cooperation to strengthen diplomatic relations as well as building ties in commerce, culture, science and education. On July 22, 2009, President Obama and Prime Minister Maliki affirmed the full activation of the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) between the United States and the Republic of Iraq, which will guide the two nations as they expand and enhance cooperation in these areas. The two leaders also affirmed their commitment to full and complete implementation of the bilateral security agreement ratified by Iraq's Council of Representatives on November 26, 2008 (Security Agreement). As U.S. forces Complete their withdrawal from Iraq by 2011 under this agreement, the United States and Iraq will focus increasingly on STATE 00080762 004 OF 005 SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton?s July 24, 2009 Higher Coordination Committee Meeting with Ir broader areas of cooperation under the SFA - supporting Iraq as it works to build effective, accountable governance through democratic, constitutional institutions at the national, regional, and provincial levels. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Prime Minister Maliki on July 24 hosted the SFA's Higher Coordinating Committee to confirm and enhance bilateral cooperation across the fields delineated in the SFA. These areas of cooperation include: -------------- Diplomatic Cooperation -------------- The United States and the Government of Iraq will work together to support and enhance Iraq's status in regional and international organizations by overcoming the legacy of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, and to play a constructive role in the international community as a democratic and sovereign state. The United States in this regard affirms its commitment under Article 25 of the Security Agreement. Central to this, the United States shall use its best efforts to help Iraq as it works with the UN Security Council to remove itself from Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, and to return Iraq to the international legal status that it enjoyed prior to ¶1990. The United States and Iraq applaud the United Nations efforts to assist Iraq in enhancing stability and consolidating democracy in Iraq through free and fair elections. Both countries today pledged their full support to these efforts in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1770 regarding UNAMI activities in Iraq. The two countries support and will cooperate to effectuate the safe and sustainable return of all Iraqis who left their country in addition to internally displaced persons who wish to return home. -------------- Security Cooperation -------------- As the United States continues to withdraw its military forces under the Security Agreement, it will also, at the request of the Government of Iraq as specified in the Security Agreement, continue to provide assistance to the Government in Iraq in its efforts to maintain security and stability in Iraq, including cooperation in the conduct of operations against al-Qaeda and other terrorist and outlaw groups. The US will continue to train, equip and support Iraqi Security Forces under the terms of the agreement. This cooperation may include the provision of training and logistical support, as well as the procurement of military equipment under the Foreign Military Sales and other like programs. The United States will assist the Government of Iraq in its ongoing efforts to join the international community in advancing the goals of conventions and treaties regarding international peace and security. The United States further remains committed to assisting the Government of Iraq to mitigate the risks to the Iraqi people posed by land mines and unexploded ordinance. -------------- -- Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Cooperation -------------- -- The United States and the Government of Iraq will enhance cooperation in the fields of education, cultural affairs, and scientific research. The Government of Iraq in this regard will fund the Iraqi Education Initiative to provide scholarships at foreign universities (including a consortium of 250 American universities) for up to 10,000 Iraqi students annually for a period of five years. In addition, the Government of Iraq has pledged $2.5 million to double the size of the Fulbright Exchange Program between Iraq and the United States, making Iraq the largest Fulbright exchange program in the greater Middle East region. The U.S. will continue to support culture and youth exchanges, such as those ongoing under the International Visitors Leadership Program. Linkages between Iraqi and American universities will be established and enhanced and the U.S. will implement a nationwide program in Iraq to train educational advisers. Programs to facilitate scientific research and the training of Iraqi agricultural extension agents have also been established and expanded under the Strategic Framework Agreement. Finally, the Government of the United States will continue to support the Iraqi Ministry of Culture and the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage STATE 00080762 005 OF 005 SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton?s July 24, 2009 Higher Coordination Committee Meeting with Ir to preserve Iraq's cultural heritage. Such support includes the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project and the Future of Babylon Project. -------------- Economic and Commercial Cooperation -------------- The Prime Minister today affirmed Iraq's commitment to overcoming the economic dislocation of two decades of war and dictatorship, and the United States will support Iraq as it works to develop its human and natural resources. In this regard, the United States is committed to supporting the Government of Iraq as it takes the steps necessary for integration into international financial and economic institutions, including membership in the World Trade Organization. Both countries are also working actively to foster broad and enduring bilateral economic ties, as envisioned in the Strategic Framework Agreement. To that end, the United States Government and the United State Chamber of Commerce will host in October the first U.S - Iraq Business and investment Summit , bringing together businesses and government officials from both countries in the capital of Washington D.C. The two countries will additionally host the bilateral Dialogue on Economic Cooperation for senior government officials to identify means to overcome obstacles to increased trade and investment in Iraq. -------------- Justice and Rule of Law Cooperation -------------- The two governments will jointly support the development of Iraq's justice system, including police, courts, and prison and detention operations. These efforts will include enhancing law enforcement and judicial relationships and information sharing to achieve unity of effort in addressing corruption and common transnational threats, including terrorism and cyber-crime. The two governments will focus on the priorities of the Ministry of Interior, including increasing its professionalism and management capabilities, providing judicial security and securing Iraq's borders. The two governments will also work together to improve the capacity of the criminal justice system to improve investigative practices and promote evidence-based adjudications. The two governments support the Iraqi Higher Judicial Council's goal of ensuring an impartial, independent, and transparent judiciary that ensures the rights of all citizens and institutions and encourages a strong partnership with global institutions. We will continue to promote judicial capacity building and training efforts in support of that goal. In recognition of Iraq's role in the history of codified law, the two governments will support the full integration of the Iraqi judiciary into the international community through enhanced exchanges and training programs. The United States, finally, is committed to continuing to assist the Government of Iraq in the development and administration of its prison and detention operations, including the development of administrative procedures to ensure full compliance with international corrections standards and respect for human rights and humane treatment of detainees. -------------- -------------- Full Activation of the Strategic Framework Agreement -------------- -------------- Consistent with the vision set forth in the SFA and affirmed in this Joint Statement, and pursuant to Article IX, Paragraph 1 of the SFA, the United States and Iraq will host a follow-on Higher Coordinating Committee in 2010 to further monitor implementation activities. This meeting will take place in Baghdad upon the invitation of the Government of Iraq. The United States of America and the Government of Iraq are united by bonds of struggle and sacrifice in a joint effort against extremism and terrorism. The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq represents a joint success and allows Iraq to reclaim its full and complete sovereignty. As this withdrawal continues, the full and complete activation of the SFA will help ensure that Iraq can reclaim its rightful place in the international community and pay tribute to the thousands of Iraqi and American lives that have been lost since 2003. (END TEXT) CLINTON