VZCZCXRO1848
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHIHL #0050 0850919
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 260919Z MAR 06
FM REO HILLAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0581
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0565
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHIHL/REO HILLAH 0630

S E C R E T HILLAH 000050 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  3/26/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAIR IZ
SUBJECT: SCIRI LEADER AL-HAKIM'S SON ISSUES INVITATION FOR U.S./IRAN 
TALKS IN IRAQ 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: GARY ANDERSON, ACTING REGIONAL COORDINATOR, REO, 
AL-HILLAH, STATE. 
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
 
 
¶1.  (S/NF)  Summary.  The son of SCIRI leader Abdul Aziz Al 
Hakim, Sheikh Ammar Al Hakim petitioned the Regional Embassy 
Office, Al Hillah staff for a dialogue between the United States 
and Iran.  He noted that this dialogue should be at the highest 
levels possible within Iraq and that SCIRI would facilitate 
these meetings.  Further, Al Hakim noted, "we do not want Iraq 
to be the battleground for a conflict between our two friends." 
Finally, Al Hakim asserted that what is missing in Iraq's 
current political situation is tolerance and that is what SCIRI 
has been working to promote. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (S/NF)  On March 23, the Deputy Regional Coordinator from 
Regional Embassy Office, Al Hillah met with Najaf Governor Assad 
Al Taee, Deputy Governor Hassan Abtan and Sheikh Ammar Al Hakim. 
 The meeting touched on an array of topics.  Chief among the 
matters discussed was SCIRI's view that a "conversation" between 
the USG and Iran would be advantageous for the future of Iraq. 
Ammar Al Hakim noted that even the hint of willingness to talk 
from Iranian officials was an indication that Tehran was 
changing and becoming more open.  Al Hakim asserted these talks 
could begin with a trip by Ambassador Khalilzad to Najaf to meet 
with provincial political leaders, clerics and local SCIRI 
officials.  Meetings between the Ambassador and the Iranian 
Ambassador to Iraq would follow. 
 
¶3.  (S/NF)  In discussing perceived Iranian influence in Iraq, 
Al Hakim was adamant that the real influence in the relationship 
between Iraq and Iran flows easterly.  He noted that the "heart" 
of the Shia is in Najaf; that more people in Iran identify with 
the Ayatollah Al Sistani than with any cleric in their own 
country.  The lead for the lives of Shia throughout the region 
comes from Najaf and any thought to the contrary was wrong, Al 
Hakim claimed.  The Shia region, he offered, has built a 
relationship of cooperation and strong ties with Turkey, Kuwait, 
Jordan and Qatar.  When asked about the relationship with Iran, 
Al Hakim said, "There is no special relationship with Iran.  We 
are trying to forge strong relationships with all of our 
neighbors." 
 
¶4.  (S/NF)  One of Al Hakim's present concerns is the opening of 
the Najaf Airport.  The local government has been working to 
open the airport for some time.  Their hope is that an airport 
in Najaf will bolster an already strong tourism industry.  At 
this time local officials are hopeful that a new airport would 
bring in 100 tourists a day from Tehran, with variations on that 
theme from other regional neighbors.  Al Hakim pressed REO staff 
to help facilitate the necessary clearances so that that could 
begin very quickly to utilize their "airport". Note:  The Deputy 
Regional Coordinator informed Al Hakim and Governor Al Taee that 
they would need to work with ICAO and IATA to receive the 
appropriate clearances.   End note. 
 
¶5.  (S/NF)  Comment.  Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, Ammar's father, was 
in Najaf on March 20 and the elder Al Hakim  requested a meeting 
with SET Najaf.  This approach may be part of SCIRI's drive to 
open up a more intensive dialogue with the U.S. mission in Iraq. 
 The combination of the airport project and the call for 
discussions with Iran represent a new tactic in this SCIRI 
effort.   There is a good, effective relationship between the 
local government and SET Najaf.  It's likely that SCIRI, with 
its governor in Najaf, would like to capitalize on this good 
will.  It appears that local SCIRI officials are hoping to 
strengthen their relationship with the USG and may now be 
prepared to act as a liaison between the U.S. and senior clerics 
in Najaf with SCIRI affiliation or relationships. 
 
ANDERSON