US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4035

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004035 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2015 
TAGS: ECON, ENRG, EPET, ETRD, PGOV, IR, IZ, Energy Sector, Human Rights, Security, Petrolium 
SUBJECT: DPM AL-JABBURI VISIT TO THE U.S.: IRAN/IRAQ ENERGY 
AND POWERSHARING 
 
Classified By: Ecnomic Minister Counselor Tom Delare for reasons 1.4 (b 
) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary and Action Request: Deputy Prime Minister Abd 
Mutlak al-Jabburi intends to visit the US in early October to 
discuss the Iraqi Constitution, human rights, security, and 
economic projects, particularly the Iraq-Iran oil pipeline 
proposal.  Post requests guidance on potential ILSA 
infractions regarding energy transfers across the Iran-Iraq 
border.  End Summary and Action Request. 
 
2.  (C) Deputy Prime Minister Abd Mutlak al-Jabburi is 
expected to visit the US in early October 2005.  His office 
says he intends to discuss the Constitution, human rights, 
security, and economic projects, one of which is the Abadan 
oil pipeline to Iran.  Al-Jabburi is a Sunni who is 
reportedly opposes construction of the pipeline. 
 
3.  (U) We note press reports September 25 that Iraqi 
Minister of Electricity Muhsin Shalash signed an agreement to 
increase electricity imports from Iran.  It is not clear 
whether the deal will involve the construction of new 
electrical towers in both Iraq and Iran, or which country 
will be paying the initial construction costs. 
 
4.  (C) In light of al-Jabburi,s upcoming visit, Post 
requests guidance on possible ILSA infractions regarding 
energy transfers across the Iran-Iraq border, including both 
the expanding electrical imports from Iran to Iraq (the 
physical connection of transmission systems) and the 
implementation of agreements to ship Iraqi crude oil to Iran 
in exchange for refined oil products (the proposed Abadan 
pipeline). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Khalilzad