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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGB #0753/01 0601052
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P 011052Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9961
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/USDOE WASHDC PRIORITY

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000753 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KNNP PARM PHUM PINS PNAT MOPS DA IZ
SUBJECT: DCM METS WITH PM CHIEF OF STAFF ON NEIGHBORS 
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT, DEBAATH 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (S) On February 27, Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel 
Speckhard met with Tariq Abdullah, Chief of Staff to Iraqi 
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to discuss ideas for the 
upcoming Neighbor's Conference that  Iraq will host in March. 
 Abdullah said Maliki's government was pleased by the Council 
of Minister's approval of the draft hydrocarbon law and 
thought prospects for quick Council of Representatives 
passage were good.  Abdullah stated that PM Maliki was 
considering suspending the current DeBaathification 
principles as a show of reconciliation and to spur creation 
of a fair and realistic DeBaathification law. 
 
------------------------------ 
Neighbors Conference Announced 
------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (S) DCM Speckhard congratulated COS Abdullah on the 
announcement of the Neighbor's Conference to be held in 
Baghdad in March.  The US, Iran, Syria and other regional 
nations have been invited to participate.  DCM suggested that 
the PM's office issue a statement on the event and offered 
Abdullah some proposed language for the Maliki's 
consideration.  Abdullah agreed that it would be a good idea 
for the PM to establish a public position and welcomed the 
draft statement. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
Hydrocarbon Law: Possible Quick CoR Passage? 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (S) DCM told Abdullah that Sunday's passage of the draft 
Hydrocarbon Law by the Council of Ministers was an important 
step in promoting Iraqi unity and economic development. 
Abdullah agreed, quoting the Minister of Planning saying it 
was "the greatest achievement since the passage of the Iraqi 
constitution."  Abdullah added that the solid support the 
draft received in the Council of Ministers augured well for 
its swift passage when the Council of Representatives (CoR) 
returns in early March. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Debaathification, Evenhandedness, Boosting DDR 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶4. (S) DCM emphasized the need for the PM to show bold 
leadership on Debaathification, as the creation and passage 
of a fair law is crucial to developing national unity. 
Abdullah responded that Maliki was considering suspending the 
current Debaathification principles in a show of 
reconciliation that he hoped would spur efforts to pass a 
reasonable and just law.  DCM replied that this would be an 
outstanding display of leadership on Maliki's part and would 
send an important positive signal to the Sunni community. 
Abdullah agreed, saying that it was a necessary step, adding 
that it was important not to punish former party members who 
had committed no crimes. 
 
¶5. (S) Abdullah emphasized the PM did not "play favorites" 
with the militias and that suggestions by many bordered on 
"slanderous."  Abdullah pointed out the PM's recent actions 
in support of the BSP and against armed Shia elements 
Diwaniyah that resulted in the arrest of 159 suspected 
militia members.  DCM agreed that Maliki has shown great 
commitment to even handedness during the BSP.  DCM Speckhard 
stated that the Disarming, Demobilization, and Reintegration 
(DDR) process seemed to have stalled and suggested that he 
and COS Abdullah make a joint presentation to help reenergize 
it.  Abdullah said he thought this was a good idea.  He also 
mentioned that he was appointing a Baghdad University 
professor of political science, Dr. Khalil al-Rubaie, as the 
Executive Director of the GOI DDR Committee.  The PM's 
advisor on reconciliation and DDR announced this on February 
¶28.  The Chief of Staff also mentioned a planned March 4 
conference to gather former Saddam-era soldiers for potential 
reintegration and/or pensi 
ons. 
 
------------------ 
BSP Economic Surge 
------------------ 
 
¶6. (S) DCM advised Abdullah that Secretary Rice anticipated 
difficult congressional hearings for the supplemental funding 
intended to support the Baghdad Security Plan's "economic 
surge".  Abdullah stated that the PM understood that future 
U.S. expenditures were likely to be lower, but emphasized 
 
that U.S. support and expertise were as important as U.S. 
financial assistance. 
KHALILZAD