(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. -------------- -------------- DISPUTED INTERNAL BOUNDARIES AND KIRKUK REFERENDUM -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- U.S. AND KRG RELATIONS -------------- ¶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. -------------- -- 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. -------------- -------------- HYDROCARBONS, BUSINESS INVESTMENT, AND TRANSPARENCY -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- NECHIRVAN BARZANI FLIGHT INCIDENT -------------- ¶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