FM ZEBARI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR WOLFF; DISCUSSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000691 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ UNSC SUBJECT: FM ZEBARI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR WOLFF; DISCUSSES 1859 REPORT Classified By: AMBASSADOR ALEX WOLFF, FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D ¶1. (C) Summary: On July 14, Ambassadors Wolff and DiCarlo met with Iraqi FM Zebari to discuss the upcoming UNSCR 1859 report and Zebari,s visit to New York. The Foreign Minister noted the "clear commitment" of the U.S., as enshrined in the SOFA, to work towards removing Iraq as a pending issue before the Security Council. Zebari pressed for a clear timeline from the Security Council to lift all relevant Security Council resolutions. Ambassador Wolff assured Zebari of U.S. support, and expressed openness to the idea of creating a work plan for the Security Council to address relevant issues. Zebari and Ambassador Wolff agreed that both countries would consult closely and often regarding next steps. End summary. ¶2. (C) Zebari began by outlining Iraqi expectations that the upcoming 1859 report would kick-start a process to remove all Iraq-relevant Security Council resolutions. Iraq expects that the report will register Iraqi progress in meeting its obligations and will reflect Iraq,s goodwill to resolve all pending issues, said Zebari. He recognized that it was unrealistic for all relevant resolutions to be lifted immediately, but he said Iraq,s leaders "need timelines" for the Security Council to address these issues. He said that this will be a crucial issue during the upcoming elections, and added that a timeline would have the benefit of "putting pressure on us." Zebari concluded that it was essential for Iraq to see something tangible during the August-September period, during which first the UK and then the U.S. assumes the Presidency of the Security Council. ¶3. (C) Ambassador Wolff assured Zebari of U.S. support. He said that issuance of the 1859 report is an important step because it catalogues all relevant resolutions but also because it will serve as a catalyst for Council members. Once the report is issued, the U.S. expects the Council to hold discussions, with the date and format to be decided after consultations with Council members and Iraq. The U.S. does not want the report to be a "paper exercise"; it would like the report to spur action within the Council. Ambassador Wolff favored the idea of a work plan for Council action, and cautioned that the process must be substance-driven and should not impose unrealistic timelines that might prove problematic for Iraq. Zebari acknowledged this point, emphasized Iraqi understanding that there would be no quick fix, but reiterated the need for a time frame of some sort, in order to satisfy the Iraqi public. ¶4. (C) Zebari said Iraq wanted a Security Council resolution following issuance of the report. Ambassador Wolff said the U.S. would keep an open mind on this issue, and noted that other options - such as a Presidential statement - were also possibilities, especially as a short-term political signal from the Security Council (and if there was not sufficient movement in the next few weeks to justify a UNSCR). Zebari turned to the possibility of movement in Iraq-Kuwait relations, and emphasized "all issues with Kuwait are doable." He said he had called the Kuwaiti FM on July 13 to emphasize that his visit to New York was "nothing sinister" and was simply meant to demonstrate Iraqi goodwill to resolve all outstanding issues. Zebari said progress could happen "very quickly" on the Iraq-Kuwait land border. He added that Iraq accepts the Iraq-Kuwait border, as well as UNSCR 833, although it has serious problems with navigation and access issues along their maritime border with Kuwait. Ambassador Wolff said the U.S. was willing to help, and was consulting in a preliminary manner on how to move forward on these sensitive issues. Zebari thanked the U.S. for support within the Council, and promised to continue close coordination. RICE