US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD3558

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003558 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, IZ, Sunni Arab, National Assembly 
SUBJECT: SUNNI DEPUTY PM: THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE 
CONSTITUTION 
 
 
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR ZALMAY KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1. 
4 (b) AND (d) 
 
 1. (C) SUMMARY: At an August 29 meeting, Deputy Prime 
Minister Abid Mutlak Al-Jaburi (a secular Sunni) thanked the 
Ambassador for the U.S. role in the constitution drafting 
process.  He said that 90 percent of Iraqis would prefer to 
live in a secular state, and expressed confidence that Sunnis 
will participate in the upcoming elections.  He asked for 
U.S. support against "external influences" that threaten the 
unity of Iraq.  At the Ambassador's encouragement, Al-Jaburi 
said he would consider making a supportive public statement 
about the constitution, and would engage Shia and Kurdish 
leaders directly on means to increase Sunni support for the 
draft.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) Deputy Prime Minister Al-Jaburi expressed appreciation 
for the Ambassador's efforts in support of the constitution 
drafting process.  Al-Jaburi expressed his conviction that 
the draft constitution is the best possible at this time.  He 
said the text represents a "midpoint" between different 
views--Sunni and Shia, Kurds and Arabs, Christians and 
Moslems.  He joked that the Kurds probably got a better deal 
than the other communities, but agreed that the purpose of a 
constitution is to serve as a social contract, rather than a 
"political platform".  He pledged to cooperate with efforts 
to promote the new draft's ratification.  He said that he had 
already shared points in support of the constitution, from 
his August 28 meeting with PolCouns, with the Association of 
Moslem Scholars, urging them to support Sunni political 
engagement.  He expressed confidence that Sunni participation 
in the upcoming 
elections will be high. 
 
3. (C) Al-Jaburi said that 90 percent of Iraqis prefer a 
secular, liberal state, and attributed the success of the 
United Shia List in the January 2005 elections to Ayatollah 
Sistani's support.  He said he can support federalism, even 
two entities--one Kurd, one Arab.  However, he said, he 
objects to federalism based on "sectarianism or racism."  He 
requested U.S. support for Iraqi unity, adding that "if you 
want Iraqis to unite, keep away external influences." 
 
4. (C) The Ambassador reaffirmed that the U.S. is committed 
to a united Iraq, and views federalism as the best way to 
keep the country together.  He said that adjustments to the 
Constitution remain possible prior to the referendum and 
encouraged Al-Jaburi to engage Kurd and Shia leaders directly 
on means to increase Sunni support for the draft and 
participation in the political process. 
 
5. (C) Al-Jaburi  said that the Sunni community is "less 
afraid now", adding that some Sunni tribes are actually 
fighting insurgents.  He welcomed the Coalition's August 
24-27 release of 1,000 detainees from the Abu Ghraib prison 
as a constructive signal to Sunnis.  At the same time, he 
asked the Ambassador for assistance with Sunni complaints 
over Iraqi Security Forces and lack of adequate voter 
registration facility access and security.  He asked the 
Ambassador to continue to encourage moderation among the Shia 
and Kurds.  In response to the Ambassador's request, he said 
he would consider making a statement on the draft 
Constitution encouraging Sunnis to take a constructive 
approach to the new Constitution and avoid making emotional 
statements. 
Khalilzad