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