VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWL #0395 1440415
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240415Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2814
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000395 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/ANP-DRICCI, EB/ODF-RDEMARCELLUS, EB/IRAQ AND NEA/I 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAO PGOV IZ NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND ISSUES STATEMENT SUPPORTING FORMATION OF NEW 
IRAQI GOVERNMENT 
 
REF: STATE 81632 
 
¶1. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters issued a statement 
May 22 hailing the formation of the new Iraqi government.  "I 
congratulate Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and his colleagues on 
persevering over many months with forming a representative list of 
Cabinet members," Peters said in his statement.  The full statement 
is reproduced in Paragraph 3.  Post delivered reftel demarche on May 
22 to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). 
 
¶2. New Zealand has disbursed more than NZ $1.5 million (US $936,000) 
in assistance to Iraq through the UN development fund for Iraq for 
the fiscal year 2005-6.  It has pledged NZ $2 million (US $1.25 
million) in reconstruction assistance for the fiscal year.  The 
government hopes to decide within the next two months how much 
assistance it will allocate for Iraqi reconstruction for the next 
fiscal year, according to Ngawini Keelan of MFAT's Middle East and 
Africa Division. 
 
¶3. Begin statement by Foreign Minister Peters: 
 
The formation of a new government in Iraq after months of 
negotiations is a crucial step in the democratic process, Foreign 
Minister Winston Peters said today. 
 
"I congratulate Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and his colleagues on 
persevering over many months with forming a representative list of 
Cabinet members," Mr Peters said. 
 
The process of identifying ministers for the new Iraqi Government 
has taken five months, and followed the election of an Iraqi 
parliament - the Council of Representatives - as provided for by the 
new Iraqi constitution. 
 
The new Cabinet was approved by the Council of Representatives over 
the weekend. 
 
"This opens up for Iraq the possibility of a positive future and I 
welcome the formation of the new government. Now its job will be to 
try to make that future become a reality." 
 
Iraq continues to face severe challenges in terms of internal 
security and in securing an economic foundation for the future. 
Problems remain in ensuring even the basis necessities of life are 
provided for many. 
 
"Iraq's security challenges are partly reflected in the fact that 
appointees to the security, interior and defence portfolios have yet 
to be found. 
 
"It is vital to find the right people for these jobs and I wish Mr 
Maliki well in his ongoing talks," said Mr Peters. 
 
End statement. 
 
MCCORMICK