VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #8656 1081402
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181344Z APR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 5514
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 3078
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 5734

UNCLAS STATE 038656 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECIN IZ KJUS OVIP PGOV PHUM PINS PREL
SUBJECT: GOI INTENTIONS AND PLANS TO NEGOTIATE A 
RESOLUTION OF AMERICAN VICTIMS' CLAIMS 
 
REF: A. 2008BAGHDAD2545 
     ¶B. 2008USUN1202 
     ¶C. 2009STATE17748 
 
¶1. (U)  This is an action cable for Embassy Baghdad 
requesting delivery by hand of the letter included below to 
Dr. Fadel Jawad Khadum, Legal Adviser to the Prime Minister. 
Embassy Baghdad is asked to confirm delivery of the letter, 
report on Dr. Fadel's response and follow-up to confirm 
specific plans and arrangements. 
 
¶2. (SBU)  Embassy Baghdad is asked to ensure prompt delivery 
of the letter and to take the occasion to emphasize to Dr. 
Fadel the importance of committing to specific plans for 
promptly bringing a duly authorized delegation to Washington 
to negotiate matters related to settlment of American victims 
claims.  To emphasize the importance of this matter, Embassy 
Baghdad may consider having one of its most senior officials 
deliver this message. 
 
¶3. (SBU)  The text of the letter from the Department of State 
Acting Legal Adviser Joan Donoghue to Dr. Fadel follows: 
-------------------- 
Begin Text of Letter 
-------------------- 
 
Dear Dr. Fadel: 
 
Thank you for your recent visit to Washington.  I am pleased 
that we had open and fruitful discussions and have laid the 
groundwork for resolving the matter of the claims of U.S. 
victims of the Saddam Hussein regime. 
 
I understand that you have now returned to Baghdad to report 
on our discussions.  I have briefed Secretary Clinton, who 
expressed her support for continuing collaboration between 
our governments to resolve claims against Iraq brought by 
U.S. victims of the Saddam Hussein regime. 
 
You should be aware that there is strong and increasing 
Congressional interest in quickly addressing such claims.  We 
expect that when the Beaty case is argued to the Supreme 
Court on April 20 there will be additional interest from 
Congress and perhaps the media, as well. 
 
We discussed the possibility, if authorized by your 
government, of an Iraqi delegation returning to Washington in 
April to open negotiations.  We would urge you to follow-up 
soon to confirm this approach.  At such a meeting, we would 
be prepared to propose concrete ideas for a 
government-to-government resolution of these claims and to 
incorporate the ideas and concerns of the Iraqi Government so 
that together we can make tangible progress toward reaching a 
mutually acceptable resolution of this problem.  We share 
with Iraq the common goals of securing legal peace with 
respect to U.S. victims' claims and providing suitable 
compensation, in a manner acceptable to both governments. 
 
I appreciate your readiness to work collaboratively to 
achieve these goals and look forward to speaking with you 
again soon in order to confirm the details surrounding your 
return with a delegation to Washington. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Joan Donoghue 
Acting Legal Adviser 
Office of The Legal Adviser 
 
------------------ 
End Text of Letter 
------------------ 
 
¶4. (U)  POC in Washington for any questions or concerns 
related to this matter is Mary Mitchell: 
MitchellMT(at)State.sgov.gov or MitchellMT(at)State.gov; 
phone: 1-202-647-2007. 
CLINTON