US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD3145

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003145 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
CENTCOM FOR POLAD - AMB HOLZMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, IZ, Sunni Arab, Parliament 
SUBJECT: DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AGREES ON SUNNI  INCLUSION, 
PRESSES FOR RESULTS ON KIRKUK 
 
REF: BAGHDAD 3120 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford. 
Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) 
 
1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Ambassador stressed to Deputy Prime 
Minister Rowsch Shaways on July 28 the importance of 
meeting the August 15 deadline for the constitution 
and the necessity of holding elections in December. 
Shaways accepted Ambassador's argument that Sunni 
participation was key to the process of drafting the 
constitution but warned that the Iraqi Government and 
U.S. need to work closely together to isolate the 
terrorists from the "good Sunnis." He then called on 
the U.S. to pressure Jafari's government to implement 
Article 58 of the TAL on Kirkuk.  Shaways also noted 
that Jafari's government had failed to provide basic 
needs for the country and blamed it for refusing to 
delegate responsibilities even when it was clear the 
Government was not fulfilling its duties. END SUMMARY. 
 
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Meeting Constitution Timetables 
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2. (C/NF) Ambassador stressed to Deputy Prime Minister 
Rowsch Shaways on July 28 the importance of meeting 
the August 15 deadline for the constitution and the 
necessity of holding elections in December as 
scheduled. As the eyes of the world are on Iraq, he 
said, it is critical that human and women's rights are 
protected. Everyone should be included in the 
political process, he said, and he is personally 
committed to bringing KDP leader Massoud Barzani to 
Baghdad to ensure that the Kurds are fully engaged. 
Ambassador suggested holding a meeting with the 
leaders of all the major groups to discuss compromises 
but emphasized that no one would get 100 percent of 
what he wanted. 
 
3. (C/NF) Shaways agreed that Sunni Arab participation 
is key to the process of drafting the constitution but 
warned that the Iraqi Government and the U.S. must 
work closely together to isolate the terrorists from 
the "good Sunnis." While federalism, the role of 
Islam, and human rights are all redlines for the 
Kurds, the primary issue in Kurdistan is Kirkuk. He 
pressed Ambassador to implement Article 58 of the TAL, 
as the current Government is dragging its heels. 
 
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Improving National Agencies 
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4. (C/NF) Ambassador said the U.S. Government would be 
working closely with Iraq to strengthen the quantity, 
quality, and leadership of Iraq's institutions, 
especially those concerning security. He focused on 
improving the budget and pace of reconstruction 
efforts, and stated that he would work with Deputy 
Prime Minister Chalabi on these issues (reftel). 
 
5. (C/NF) Shaways noted that Jafari's government had 
failed to provide basic needs for the country, and 
blamed it for refusing to delegate responsibilities 
even when it was clear the Government was not 
fulfilling its duties. He accused Jafari of filling 
certain posts with members of certain parties, 
regardless of ability. (COMMENT: This was clearly a 
reference to Jafari's habit of appointing his Shia 
Islamists to key positions.  END COMMENT.) 
 
6.  (U) REO Hillah, REO Basrah, REO Mosul, and REO 
Kirkuk, minimize considered. 
 
Khalilzad