US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD2972

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002972 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2025 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, PINS, ETRD, IZ, Iran, Detainees 
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER PREVIEWS IRAN TRIP, PLEDGES 
MOVEMENT ON DETAINEES 
 
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires David M. Satterfield for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d) 
 
1.  (S/NF) Summary:  Prime Minister Jafari told us July 15 
that his main message in Iran would be to urge that they 
tighten controls over the common border while he also warned 
them away from interference in Iraqi internal affairs.  He 
said he would also raise bilateral agreements on supply of 
essential services to Iraq, such as electricity and water, 
and also raise the return of Iraqi aircraft impounded in 
Iran.  Jafari welcomed word of better coordination on 
intelligence issues with the Coalition, but he cautioned that 
he would be the ultimate decision-maker on the Iraqi side. 
He indicated he might let Iraqi National Intelligence 
director Shahwani go for political expediency.  Jafari also 
pledged to work more closely with us to prepare the transfer 
of detainees from Coalition control to Iraqi control and 
named a lead on the Iraqi side.  End Summary. 
 
 
---------------------------- 
Iran Trip:  Borders and More 
---------------------------- 
 
2.  (S/NF) Prime Minister Jafari told Charge and MNF-I CG 
Casey over dinner July 14 that he would take a large 
delegation to Iran for a three-day visit starting July 15. 
The most important issue he would raise, he said, would be 
the need for Iran to control its border more tightly.  Unlike 
Syria, he didn't think that the Iranians were intentionally 
facilitating anti-Iraqi forces' entry into Iraq.  They had to 
do more however.  Casey and the Charge cautioned that the 
Iranian Government might be consciously helping AIF elements 
in Iraq, and they promised more detailed information before 
the PM's departure.  (MNF-I did deliver the information 
before the Prime Minister departure.)  Jafari stressed that 
there are two "red-lines" that he will highlight to the 
authorities in Tehran.  First, they must control the borders 
and stop infiltration.  In addition, they must not try to 
interfere in Iraqi internal politics.  The Prime Minister 
observed that he would have to deliver this message across a 
range of the Iranian leadership to be sure that everyone in 
what he called a divided Iranian government understands. 
 
3.  (C) Jafari added that he would take a long list of Iraqi 
requests, including agreements on essential services such as 
electricity and water.  Jafari said he would also seek the 
return of Iraqi military and civilian aircraft that have long 
been held in Iran.  (Jafari also mentioned in passing that 
the two sides would discuss an oil agreement.)  The Prime 
Minister doubted he would get everything on his list, but 
raising the issues might start the Iranians working on 
positive responses later.  Charge told the Prime Minister 
that we understand Iraq's need to have good relations with 
its neighbors, but urged him to be careful to secure 
agreements with the Iranians that were clearly in Iraq's 
interest - not just Iran's.  Jafari agreed. 
 
------------------------------------- 
Jafari Sensitive on Intel Authorities 
------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (S/NF) The Prime Minister welcomed word from General 
Casey that the National Intelligence Committee had met for 
the first time on July 14 with the Ministers of Defense and 
Interior, National Security Advisor Rubai'e and MNF-I 
representatives.  The Prime Minister launched into a lengthy 
discussion about the Iraqi side needing to coordinate with 
MNF-I but he was adamant that their authority to coordinate 
did not give them the authority to make important decisions. 
They would need to come to him for that, he emphasized. 
Jafari also emphasized that the relationship between the 
intelligence services and the Prime Ministry was a sensitive 
one; he was fielding questions from parliamentarians about 
it.  He indicated that while he had nothing against Iraqi 
National Intelligence Service director Shahwani, he probably 
would have to let him go given concerns about him in the 
National Assembly. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Detainees - Jafari Agrees to Move 
--------------------------------- 
 
6.  (C) The Charge and General Casey urged the Prime Minister 
to appoint Iraqi officials with whom we could start planning 
the transfer of detainees from Coalition to Iraqi control. 
When he understood the issue, Jafari readily agreed.  The 
government is under pressure to release innocent detainees 
but also under pressure to sternly punish those guilty of 
terrorist acts.  The government would operate under the 
premise that the greater the crime, the greater the 
punishment.  He said would have Interior Ministry 
Undersecretary Adnan Assadi to be the lead Iraqi contact.  He 
would be charged with collecting the details and ensuring 
coordinating between the Iraqi Interior and Justice 
ministries and the Coalition.  Jafari stressed that Assadi 
had his "total confidence." 
 
--------------------------------- 
Israel Boycott and Iraqi Politics 
--------------------------------- 
 
7.  (C) Charge also raised Pepsi-Cola's problem registering 
its trademark in Baghdad because Trade Ministry officials 
were imposing old Israel boycott laws against the company. 
Charge underlined that the CPA abolished those laws.  Trade 
Minister Abdel Basset wants approval from the Prime Minister 
to issue a ministerial circular reminding the staff that the 
boycott laws are no longer in effect.  Charge urged the PM to 
give the Minister that approval. 
 
8.  (C) Jafari was reluctant because it would carry heavy 
political risks.  He pointed to the political gamemanship in 
the National Assembly and said his intervening could make him 
an easier target in an emotional debate.  He opined that the 
Trade Minister could issue the circular without seeking 
permission from the Prime Ministry.  "He does that everyday," 
Jafari quipped.  Jafari told Charge to go back to the Trade 
Minister and get him to issue the circular. 
 
9.  (U) REO HILLAH, REO BASRAH, REO MOSUL, REO KIRKUK, 
minimize considered. 
Satterfield