US embassy cable - 04BRUSSELS4768

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 004768 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2014 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, MOPS, IZ, EUN, USEU BRUSSELS 
SUBJECT: IRAQI PM ALLAWI'S VISIT WITH THE EU: EUROPEAN 
COUNCIL CONFIRMS PACKAGE OF ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ 
 
REF: USEU BRUSSELS 4702 
 
Classified By: Rick Holtzapple, PolOff, Reasons 1.4 B/D 
 
1. (C) According to a Council source who attended the 
November 5 luncheon between the EU Heads of State and 
Government (the European Council) and Iraqi PM Allawi, the 
lunch went quite well, despite some hiccups over comments 
made by Allawi to the press the previous day calling some 
European countries "spectators."  Nothing unexpected was said 
at the lunch, and no new decisions were made.  The European 
Council earlier in the day had confirmed without change the 
EU's package of assistance for Iraq approved by EUFMs on Nov. 
2 (REFTEL).  The general tenor of the discussion around the 
table was that, while the EU had been clearly divided over 
Iraq in the past, and continued to have differing opinions 
about military involvement there, they all had an interest in 
Iraq's stability, and were willing to make a contribution. 
(NOTE:  President Chirac was the only major EU leader not in 
attendance, but told the press before he left Brussels prior 
to the lunch that he had "never refused" to meet Allawi, had 
seen him at the G8 Summit in June.  Chirac did comment that 
Allawi "sometimes says things that are more or less 
appreciated", but Chirac would see Allawi again "with 
pleasure." END NOTE.)  According to our contact, French FM 
Barnier, who attended the lunch for France, spoke up 
repeatedly to note to Allawi that France is not just a 
spectator in Iraq, but is an actor that is engaged in trying 
to promote Iraq's stability. 
 
2. (U) In a subsequent press conference, Allawi stressed that 
Iraq had received "unanimous support" from the EU for its 
stabilization and reconstruction, and that the purpose of his 
visit to Brussels, to both the EU and NATO, had been to "plug 
Iraq back into the international community."  He denied he 
had ever called the Europeans "spectators", noting that 
European states had hosted Iraqi dissidents during Saddam's 
era.  Asked about the situation in Falluja, Allawi said the 
IIG was determined to "liberate the people there from the 
terrorists and insurgents" but that "the window is closing 
for a peaceful settlement" and if none can be find, "we will 
have to bring the insurgents to justice." 
 
3. (U) Asked about the recent announcements by EU members 
such as Hungary and the Netherlands that they would withdraw 
their troops in 2005, Allawi responded that he respected 
every country's right to make its own decisions about its 
troops.  But, he added, Iraq continues to face big security 
challenges and an early decrease in the international 
presence would increase the risks Iraq faces.  Iraq would 
continue to need help from international forces until Iraqi 
forces are capable of dealing with the threats by themselves. 
 
SCHNABEL