(U) Secretary Clinton's January 26, 2010 conversation

S E C R E T STATE 010037


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2020
TAGS: OVIP CLINTON HILLARY IZ PREL PGOV EPET
SUBJECT: (U) Secretary Clinton's January 26, 2010 conversation
with Kurdistan Regional Government President (KRG) Masoud
Barzani


1. Classified By: by A/S Jeffrey Feltman Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d)


2. (U) January 26, 2010; 1600; Washington, D.C., USA.


3. (C) Participants:

U.S.
The Secretary
NEA PDAS Ronald Schlicher
PA A/S P.J. Crowley
US EMB Senior Advisor Alan Misenheimer
S/CIEA David Goldwyn
S Jake Sullivan
NEA Senior Advisor Elissa Slotkin
Ahmed Ferhadi (USG Interpreter)
Andrew Kim (NEA Notetaker)

IRAQ
Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani
Ambassador Samir Sumaidaie
Special Envoy Nechirvan Barzani
Fuad Hussein
Minister Ashti Hawrami
Minister Falah Bakir (Interpreter)
Chairman Herish Muharam
Qubad Talabani (Notetaker)



4. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Secretary Clinton and KRG President
Masoud Barzani discussed during their January 26 meeting the
strong relationship between the United States and the KRG and
agreed on the importance of promoting and fostering national
unity in Iraq, especially during the upcoming elections and
the subsequent government formation process. President
Barzani acknowledged the U.S. support and sacrifice for Iraq,
and expressed hope that the U.S. military withdrawal would not
decrease U.S. attention to Iraq. Secretary Clinton also
reaffirmed U.S. long-term support for the Kurds and the Iraqi
Constitution. On Article 140, the Secretary stated that the
United States supported a referendum ratifying a political
agreement among stakeholders. Barzani assured the Secretary
of the KRG's commitment to a democratic Iraq and reiterated
his view of Article 140 as a mechanism to "let the people
decide" regarding the status of Kirkuk. On hydrocarbons
legislation, he stated that the Kurds are not the problem and
expressed his desire that the KRG share of oil revenue go into
a separate account to prevent manipulation by Baghdad. The
Secretary congratulated the Iraqis on passing the budget and
encouraged them to work with the central government on the
national anti-corruption strategy. END SUMMARY.

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DISPUTED INTERNAL BOUNDARIES AND KIRKUK REFERENDUM
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5. (S/NF) The Secretary affirmed U.S. support for the Iraqi
Constitution including Article 140, expressing hope that a
"dialogue among partners" would lead to resolution of the
disputed internal boundaries (DIBs) issues. She emphasized
that the United States would support a referendum under
Article 140 to ratify a political agreement among
stakeholders, but did not favor taking this controversial
issue to a public referendum first. She noted that the United
States was committed to working with the Kurds to determine a
just resolution to this issue and highlighted the State
Department's ongoing efforts to address these issues.
Nechirvan Barzani assured the Secretary that her remarks on
an Article 140 referendum had been clearly understood.


6. (S/NF) Barzani stressed the KRG's commitment to a
democratic Iraq. On Kirkuk, Barzani reiterated, "The people
of Kirkuk will make the final decision." Barzani reassured
the Secretary that the KRG area would not be separate from
Iraq, stating, "Even when Kirkuk becomes part of the KRG, we
will still be part of Iraq." Barzani said the key issues -
Article 140, Peshmerga-Iraqi Army integration, census and
others - could be handled in the next 1 to 2 years. He noted
they became more complicated to resolve with the passing of
time rather than easier.

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U.S. AND KRG RELATIONS
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7. (S/NF) The Secretary reaffirmed U.S. support for the
Kurdish people in a stable, secure, inclusive, and successful
Iraq. President Barzani responded that putting the Iraqi
house in order is the job of the Iraqis, but the United States
could provide important assistance. Barzani acknowledged the
sacrifice of U.S. men and women in the liberation of Iraq. He
expressed hope that the U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq not
also mark a withdrawal of U.S. attention. Barzani asked that
the United States send a clear message that it supported a
federal, democratic, pluralistic Iraq that would never allow
the return of a dictatorial regime. Secretary Clinton stated
that the United States remained committed to support such an
Iraq and that the Strategic Framework Agreement was an
important mechanism for doing so.


8. (S/NF) Barzani reminded Secretary Clinton of her promise
to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan. Secretary Clinton said visiting
Kurdistan was a high priority and that she looked forward to
enjoying the hospitality of the Kurdish people.


9. (S/NF) President Barzani urged Secretary Clinton to open
a U.S. consulate general in Kurdistan and to remove the State
Department travel advisory on Iraq. He said these steps would
help raise morale, demonstrate U.S. commitment, facilitate
international travel, and encourage foreign business
investment. Secretary Clinton responded that the United
States would consider Barzani's recommendations.

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ELECTIONS, GOVERNMENT FORMATION, NATIONAL UNITY
-------------- --


10. (S/NF) President Barzani asserted that the Kurds are not
part of the problem on the elections; they are part of the
solution. Barzani affirmed that the KRG is ready to work with
the Iraqi federal government. Despite all of the past
tragedies the Kurds experienced, they played a major role in
keeping Iraq together. Barzani stated that the Iraqi
Constitution was a "good constitution," and that as long as
Iraq was guided by it, the Kurds would support and defend it.

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HYDROCARBONS, BUSINESS INVESTMENT, AND TRANSPARENCY
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11. (S/NF) The Secretary thanked the Kurds for the public
disclosure of the contents of two oil contracts. This step
could allow for the restarting of production. She said that
the recent passing of the Iraqi budget was "wonderful news"
that would help with the World Bank and the IMF. She
encouraged the Kurds to work with Baghdad on the national
anti-corruption strategy, since it sent a strong, positive
message to international businesses. The Secretary said that
the KRG could be a model for the rest of Iraq. Barzani said
the KRG was prepared to work with Baghdad on good government
and transparency. He said, "We are new at this and ready to
address our flaws."


12. (S/NF) President Barzani asserted that the problem in
passing hydrocarbons legislation does not come from the Kurds.
He noted that the Constitution stipulated that Iraq's oil
belonged to the people of Iraq and that its wealth should be
shared equitably. President Barzani expressed his desire that
the KRG share of oil revenue go into a separate account to
ensure that Baghdad does not have control over the KRG's
share, which they could then use to exert pressure on the
Kurds.

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NECHIRVAN BARZANI FLIGHT INCIDENT
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13. (S/NF) Secretary Clinton echoed the White House in
expressing regret about Nechirvan Barzani's recent
difficulties in traveling from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.
She stated that through this incident we learned that Iraqi
President Jalal Talabani's name was also on the list and that
the U.S. government was working to ensure that this never
happened again. Nechirvan joked that perhaps his name was on
the no-fly list because his name was similar to "Nigeria," and
Fuad Hussein quipped that perhaps Talabani's name is too close
to "Taliban."


CLINTON