VZCZCXRO3080
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0009 0021100
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 021100Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5079
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000009 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2017 
TAGS: PGOV IR IZ
SUBJECT: HAKIM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 2008 IN MEETING WITH AMB 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary: In a December 31 meeting with the 
Ambassador, ISCI leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim agreed that 
significant security, economic, and political progress had 
been made in 2007.  He expressed hope that provincial 
elections would be held in 2008 but was noncommittal over the 
possibility of using an open-list system.  Hakim agreed that 
the Council of Representatives (COR) needed to take its 
responsibilities seriously, and expressed satisfaction with 
the improving capability of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). 
He discussed the improving relations between Iraq and its 
neighbors and emphasized the important role of the U.S. in 
supporting these relationships.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (C) Hakim agreed with the Ambassador's assessment that 
the year 2007 ended on a more positive note than it began and 
cited progress on a range of issues.  In terms of security, 
he mentioned the increasing ability of the ISF to stand on 
its own and its success in maintaining stability in Najaf and 
Karbala.  Hakim noted that the provincial governorates are 
more active than the central ministries in terms of 
reconstruction and development and that overall the situation 
in the provinces is good.  Politically, he said he spoke on 
December 30 with VP Hashimi and saw a good chance for the 
Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) to return to government.  Finally, 
Hakim said relations between Iraq and its neighbors had 
improved. 
 
¶3.  (C) Hakim expressed hope that provincial elections would 
be held in 2008. The Ambassador said he considered 2008 
elections 'necessary' and asked whether the Provincial Powers 
law needed to be passed before elections were held. He 
mentioned a recent meeting in Babil in which four 
south-central governors all emphasized the importance of the 
legislation.  Hakim explained that the only required 
legislation was the Election Law, and said the parties were 
currently negotiating on the text.  The Ambassador emphasized 
that, from an outsider,s perspective, the law should 
sanction open rather than closed lists, adding that the 
closed-list system was the source of many of Iraq's current 
problems, but it is up to Iraqis to decide how they select 
their leaders.  Hakim was noncommittal, repeating only that 
the electoral system was one of several points under 
negotiation. 
 
¶4.  (C) Turning to the Council of Representatives (COR), the 
Ambassador mentioned the importance of passing the 
De-Ba'athification Law and the 2008 Federal Budget.  He added 
that, in meetings with Speaker Mashhadani and Deputy Speaker 
Attiya, he had stressed that the COR should not take a winter 
recess after adjourning for several weeks for the hajj. 
Hakim agreed, and mentioned several sermons recently given by 
the marja'iyya urging the MPs to take their responsibilities 
seriously. 
 
¶5.  (C) The Ambassador said he agreed with Hakim's positive 
outlook on the ISF.  He noted that although commentators 
focused on the impact of the U.S. 'surge' of 30,000 
additional troops, during the same period the ISF increased 
its numbers by 100,000.  Hakim cautioned that the ISF still 
needed more training and equipment but expressed optimism 
over the ISF's overall capability. 
 
¶6.  (C) On neighboring countries, Hakim emphasized the 
positive effects of Vice President Mehdi's visit to Syria and 
President Talabani's visit to Egypt.  The Ambassador agreed 
on the positive effect of VP Mehdi's regional travel and 
Ammar al-Hakim's visit to Kuwait but noted the absence of any 
Arab ambassadors in Iraq, saying he hoped for reciprocal 
visits from Arab governments to Iraq in 2008.  Hakim asked 
whether the U.S. was involved in Talabani's invitation to 
Iranian President Ahmadinejad to visit Iraq on January 15. 
The Ambassador replied that he had not "heard a word" about 
the visit.  Hakim said the U.S. had a very important role in 
fostering good relations between Iraq and neighboring 
countries, and the Ambassador emphasized his readiness to 
assist in these efforts. 
CROCKER