US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD2831

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002831 
 
SIPDIS 
 
REL/GBR AUS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KDEM, IZ, National Assembly, Reconstruction 
SUBJECT: TNA FORMS A "SOVEREIGNTY COMMITTEE" TO  ADDRESS 
MNF-I DISPOSITION 
 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford. 
Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) 
 
1. (SBU) The Transitional National Assembly followed a 
day of rancorous discussion over the MNF-I presence in 
Iraq with a decision on July 4 to form a "Sovereignty 
Committee" to address the issue of foreign forces in 
Iraq.  The new committee will aim to engage both the 
Iraqi government and MNF-I on the disposition of 
foreign forces in Iraq.  Sadrists opposed to the 
presence of coalition forces have led this effort, but 
the majority of those who voted for the committee were 
simply angry that the Jafari government conducted the 
one-year review of UNSCR 1546 without consulting the 
legislature.  The committee will be composed of the 
heads of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees as 
well as the heads of the parliament's main blocs. 
 
2. (C/REL GBR, AUS) COMMENT: Leading PUK member Fuad 
Ma'asum and others have downplayed the significance of 
the committee to us.  The issue, they have emphasized, 
is more about the relationship between Iraq's budding 
legislature and executive than it is about the 
relationship between Iraqis and MNF-I forces.  Ma'asum 
told Poloff, "When you don't want to take action about 
something in politics you form a committee."  The 
issue nevertheless warrants close analysis.  We will 
hold meetings with new committee members and report 
more thoroughly as more information becomes available 
and the committee convenes. 
 
3. (U) REO Hillah, REO Basrah, REO Mosul, and REO 
Kirkuk, minimize considered. 
Satterfield