US embassy cable - 04ANKARA6765

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006765 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, IZ, TU 
SUBJECT: IRAQ'S NEIGHBORING INTERIOR MINISTERS ISSUE JOINT 
COMMUNIQUE 
 
Classified By: PolMilCouns Timothy A. Betts for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
. 
 
1. (C) On Dec. 3, PolMilOff called on MFA Head of Iraq Desk 
Avni Botsali to get a readout on the meeting of Interior 
Ministers of Iraq's neighbors that took place in Tehran Nov. 
30-Dec. 1.  Botsali, who accompanied Interior Minister Aksu 
to Tehran, said that the Ministers agreed to identify 
national points of contact in their ministries relevant to 
Iraq issues.  He added that he believes at their next meeting 
the Ministers will establish a working group to make specific 
proposals to them on terrorism, narcotics, border security, 
and training.  Turkey will host the next meeting. 
 
2. (U) Text of Communique follows.  Note internal paragraph 
numbering. 
 
BEGIN TEXT 
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful 
 
Final Communique of the Conference of the Interior Ministers 
of Neighboring Countries of Iraq 
Tehran, 30 November - 1 December 2004 
 
Upon the invitation extended by the Government of the Islamic 
Republic of Iran, the first Meeting of the Interior Ministers 
of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Turkey, Arab 
Republic of Egypt, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Iraq, 
State of Kuwait and the Special Representative of the UN 
Secretary General was held in Tehran from November 30 to 
 
SIPDIS 
December 1, 2004, in solidarity with the people of Iraq who 
are now suffering from difficult conditions resulting from 
the current lack of security and critical economic situation 
of this country.  Based on their consultations and 
deliberations in this meeting, the interior ministers: 
 
1. Stressed the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 
1546 and the statements of the previous sessions of the 
Iraq's neighboring countries including the recent sessions in 
Cairo and Sharm El Shaykh and stressed also on the 
sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity 
and national unity of Iraq as well as on the right of the 
people of Iraq to a secure and stable life. 
 
2. Welcomed all the steps taken by the UN and the Interim 
Government of Iraq in the direction of preparing the ground 
for the full participation of all Iraqi groups, parties and 
all the segments of the people of Iraq in the political 
process by holding general elections before the end of 
January 2005, as envisaged in UN Security Council Resolution 
1546.  They stressed on the leading role of the UN in this 
regard and expressed their readiness to assist in the 
electoral process both by the Iraqi citizens residing in 
their respective countries in coordination with the UN and 
the Interim Government of Iraq. 
 
3. Stressed the need for enhancement of mutual cooperation on 
border security, border entrances and cross-border movements, 
among their respective countries within the framework of the 
provisions of the existing bilateral agreements. 
 
4. Supported the fight against illegal movements of capitals 
supporting the terrorist activities, smuggling of goods, arms 
and narcotic drugs across their borders. 
 
5. Condemned the terrorist acts against people, humanitarian 
institutions, foreign workers and transporters, diplomatic 
missions and international organizations as well as sacrilege 
of the religious Holy places in Iraq.  They stressed the need 
for exchange of information and intelligence among their 
countries with an aim to control and prevent the movement of 
terrorists, subversive and other illegal elements to and from 
Iraq. 
 
6. Stressed the need to end the presence and activities of 
terrorist groups in Iraq collaborating with the criminal 
regime of Saddam and now endangering the security of Iraq and 
its neighboring countries, and asked for an urgent and proper 
measures in cooperation with the neighboring countries by the 
Interim Government of Iraq in this respect. 
 
7. Expressed their readiness to provide training and 
equipment upon the request of Iraq to the Iraqi police force 
and border guards to assist the Iraqi government for the 
restoration of stability in Iraq and play a more effective 
role in the protection and control of the borders within the 
framework of the UN Security Council resolutions and 
bilateral agreements. 
8. Emphasized the positive impact of economic development and 
reconstruction of Iraq on the restoration of security and 
stability in this country and expressed their readiness to 
play a more substantial role in Iraqi reconstruction process 
benefiting from the vast economic resources and capabilities 
inherent in the neighboring countries.  They welcomed the 
commitments taken in this regard by creditors in the Paris 
Club to reduce Iraq's debt. 
 
9. Expressed their sincere appreciation to the Islamic 
Republic of Iran for the excellent arrangements and generous 
hospitality, which assured the success of their first 
meeting.  They welcomed the invitation by the Turkish 
minister of Interior to host their next Meeting. They will be 
informed of the mechanism taken and measures provided by 
neighboring countries to pursue their decisions. 
 
END TEXT 
 
3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
EDELMAN