IRAQ HALTS WAR OF THE CITIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 01369

E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ IR
SUBJECT: IRAQ HALTS WAR OF THE CITIES


1. (CONFIDENTIAL-ENTIRE TEXT)


2. MFA SENIOR UNDERSECRETARY ZIHAWI CALLED IN
AMBASSADORS OF FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS AT 1330
MARCH 10 TO ANNOUNCE IRAQ LEADERSHIP'S DECISION TO
HALT ATTACKS ON IRANIAN CITIES. A PUBLIC ANNOUNCE-
MENT IS TO BE MADE SHORTLY, PROBABLY ON THE 1430
LOCAL NEWS. ZIHAWI CONCEDED THAT IF IRAN DID NOT
STOP, IRAQ WOULD BE FORCED TO RESUME.


3. ZIHAWI SAID THAT THE DECISION WAS MADE SOME
TIME AGO (NOTE: PRESUMABLY A REFERENCE TO TOP LEVEL RE-
VIEW UNDERSECRETARY HAMDOON SAID WAS BEING CONDUCTED
SEVERAL DAYS AGO). IT WAS NOT, ZIHAWI UNDERLINED,
IN RESPONSE TO THE INITIATIVE OF ANY OUTSIDE PARTY.


4. ZIHAWI CONCLUDED BY EMPHASIZING RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE FIVE TO PROCEED IMMEDIATELY BY PASSING AN
ARMS ENFORCEMENT AGAINST IRAN IN THE FORM OF AN
ARMS EMBARGO.


5. ON THE WAY OUT THE SOVIET AMBASSADOR ASKED THE
AMBASSADOR WHY IRAQ WAS STOPPED. THE AMBASSADOR
RESPONDED THAT PERHAPS THE SOVIET UNCON SHOULD GET
SOME CREDIT SINCE IT HAS PROPOSED SUCH AN UNWELCOME
RESOLUTION IN NEW YORK.


6. COMMENT: IRAQ IS ENDING WITH A FLOURISH SINCE IT
CLAIMS TO HAVE FIRED FOUR MISSILES IN THE LAST 24
HOURS (1800, 2250, 0534, AND 1230). THE LAST
IRANIAN MISSILE WAS 0941 MARCH 9.


NEWTON