US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4347

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 004347 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, MOPS, ECON, EFIN, PTER, KCOR, IZ, Security 
SUBJECT: UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE EDELMAN MEETS WITH PM 
JAAFARI 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David M. Satterfield for reasons 1.4 ( 
a), (b), and (d). 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY:  Under Secretary of Defense for Policy 
(USDP) Eric Edelman and LTG Victor Renuart, Director of 
Strategic Plans and Policy, met with Prime Minister Ibrahim 
al-Jaafari at his office on October 18.  They discussed the 
ongoing development of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). 
Jaafari stressed that it is critical for Iraq to continue to 
develop its security capacity along with its political and 
economic capacities if the progress already made is to 
continue.  Iraq will continue to look to the U.S. for 
assistance with this, Jaafari added.  In the fight against 
terrorism, Jaafari said, it is critical that we continue to 
work together -- for if the U.S. falters in Iraq, it will be 
a victory for international terrorists.  On the economy, 
Jaafari said that Iraq must cope with its problems and that 
he would be grateful if the U.S. would use some of its 
political goodwill with other nations to help obtain debt 
relief.  Steps to help Iraq meet its international financial 
obligations will be painful, Jaafari said, and U.S. support 
will be necessary to get past the pain.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (C)  USDP Edelman opened the meeting by thanking Jaafari 
for receiving his delegation.  He explained that he and LTG 
Renuart had recently assumed their positions and wanted to 
visit at the earliest opportunity to assess and learn 
first-hand what is taking place in Iraq.  So far, Edelman 
said, they had visited Mosul, al-Kisik, and Taji to meet with 
ISF officers and to inspect training facilities.  Edelman 
said that he and Renuart had been impressed by what they had 
seen. 
 
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POLITICAL PROGRESS -- ISF PROGRESS 
---------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C)  Jaafari replied that USDP Edelman's visit comes at a 
critical moment following the referendum, as it would allow 
Edelman to see how the situation in Iraq is evolving and 
would put this year's progress into context.  Jaafari proudly 
reviewed how, since January 2005, Iraq has held a democratic 
election, formed and installed a new government, and drafted 
a constitution that was put to the people in a referendum 
whose security was provided by the ISF.  And, Jaafari added, 
in less than two months the fourth major political milestone 
will be attained: the election of a permanent government. 
Iraq's progress on security is evident, the PM said, from the 
ISF's performance in ensuring a safe environment for the 
referendum. 
 
4.  (C) Jaafari added that Iraq would like to continue to 
formulate stronger plans to build its security forces.  The 
quietness of the referendum, he warned, does not mean that 
the threat has gone away.  Further, he continued, the 
strength and capabilities of the ISF are not just an Iraqi 
issue; it concerns the U.S. and the region as well.  Jaafari 
said that the growth of the ISF must not be seen in the 
limited context of Iraq's own fight against terrorists but in 
the broader context of the global war on terror.  In 
addition, the PM noted, the success of democracy in Iraq is a 
success for the U.S., and a setback for Iraq is a setback for 
the U.S.  Jaafari said that what has taken place in Iraq has 
already affected countries in the region such as Saudi 
Arabia, Libya, Lebanon, and others.  Even at the 
international level, he continued, countries such as France 
and Russia that initially opposed Coalition actions in Iraq 
now realize what is at stake.  Jaafari said that Iraq needs 
to continue to focus on the type and level of military 
equipment it needs, the number of people it trains, and the 
quality of the training received. 
 
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ECONOMIC CONCERNS 
----------------- 
 
5.  (C) Jaafari said that Iraq has many problems aside from 
security issues.  As the security ministries continue to 
build capacity, he said, so too must the other government 
ministries.  The PM noted that Iraq has big economic hurdles 
to clear to secure adequate international financial 
assistance, and measures taken by the GOI to satisfy 
international economic requirements might create further 
challenges for the country.  U.S. help, Jaafari said, will be 
necessary to overcome these hardships.  Also, he added, Iraq 
is still burdened by international compensation claims, and a 
full five percent of Iraqi oil revenue goes to pay these 
claims to Kuwait.  Jaafari said that the U.S. should leverage 
its political goodwill with other countries to give Iraq some 
breathing room.  In addition, Jaafari complained that many 
countries continue to hold frozen Iraqi assets, which the 
U.S. should help to release and return to Iraq. 
 
6.  (C)  USDP Edelman concurred with Jaafari that security is 
necessary to assure economic growth but that economic growth 
is necessary to pay for additional security.  He told Jaafari 
that he was impressed by the patriotism and professionalism 
of the Iraqi soldiers he has meet, as well as by the close 
relationships evident between U.S. and Iraqi soldiers.  The 
growth of the ISF from zero to 207,000 soldiers and police is 
a significant accomplishment, Edelman continued.  He added 
that the ISF appears to be on the path to success, and their 
performance during the referendum is an impressive measure of 
their abilities and a tribute to what has been accomplished. 
 
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CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT 
-------------------- 
 
7.  (C)  USDP Edelman agreed with Jaafari that capacity 
development at the Ministries of Defense and Interior to 
support their forces remains a key issue.  Edelman said that 
in the future these ministries must be able to purchase 
needed equipment, pay their employees, and provide the 
resources necessary to permit investments being made today to 
continue to pay off in the future.  The U.S., the Under 
Secretary noted, has experience helping other countries to 
 
SIPDIS 
create ministries capable of these functions -- with the 
Eastern European nations that have recently joined NATO being 
good examples.  However, he stated, there are two things 
required of the Iraqis to successfully move forward: 
 
-- The fight against corruption must be waged and won 
transparently and according to the rule of law.  Iraq cannot 
afford waste or fraud and the disillusionment that results. 
 
-- There must be sufficient political will in the government 
to devote the resources needed to adequately finance the 
costs of security. 
 
Jaafari replied that the ITG is determined to fight 
corruption to the end.  USDP Edelman reiterated that as long 
as the process is fair and based on the rule of law, rather 
than used to forward political or sectarian agendas, the U.S. 
will be fully supportive.  Jaafari assured Edelman that the 
ITG policy is exactly that. 
 
8.  (C)  LTG Renuart stated that developing police loyalty to 
Iraq and securing energy infrastructure are key issues for 
Generals Casey and Abizaid, and the USG will continue to work 
closely with the Iraqis on these issues in the period leading 
up to the December elections.  Renuart remarked that he was 
impressed by the progress being made by the police forces and 
stressed the need to continue to inculcate new officers with 
loyalty to Iraq rather than to sectarian groups.  He also 
noted the critical task of securing energy infrastructure, 
which will require a team effort that includes Coalition 
Forces, the security ministries, and other relevant 
ministries. 
 
------------------------ 
RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBORS 
------------------------ 
 
9.  (C)  USDP Edelman asked Jaafari how the ITG plans to 
build upon the referendum's successful voter turnout efforts 
and ensure that the results of the December election will be 
broadly representative.  Jaafari replied that the major goal 
of his government will remain ensuring that the people can 
vote in a safe and secure environment.  The PM also 
highlighted the importance of continuing to reach out to 
other Arab countries to gain their support.  He mentioned the 
recent visit of an Arab League delegation, the visit of Arab 
League SecGen Amr Moussa, and visits he himself is planning 
to other Arab capitals.  "What is important is to have the 
goodwill of other Arab countries and to have them supporting 
Iraq, not the insurgency," the PM said.  He also complained 
that both money and fighters from some Arab states feed the 
insurgency, while the media in other Arab states publish 
unhelpful stories about what is really taking place in Iraq. 
 
10.  (C)  USDP Edelman asked Jaafari which countries posed 
the greatest problem in this respect.  Jaafari replied that 
Syria is the number one problem, that Syria harbors 
terrorists who are training to come to Iraq, and that many of 
the foreign fighters arrested or killed in Iraq have passed 
through Syria.  Jaafari said that Iraq is waiting for 
Damascus to improve its conduct regarding these foreign 
insurgents before developing the Iraq-Syria relationship any 
further.  Jaafari next mentioned Iran but qualified his 
statement by saying that the problems Iran caused did not 
compare to the problems caused by Syria.  He said that Tehran 
denies involvement in any activities aimed at subverting Iraq 
but that there is evidence that fighters have crossed the 
border.  Jaafari returned to the subject of Syria and said 
that the problem will get out of hand if Iraq and the U.S. do 
not work together closely. 
 
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TERRORIST FINANCING 
------------------- 
 
11.  (C)  USDP Edelman raised the subject of terrorist 
financing.  He noted that some funds that support the 
insurgency flow from Syria, while others are earned through 
criminal enterprises such as kidnapping.  For this reason, he 
added, police capabilities must be enhanced.  At the same 
time, Edelman suggested, Iraq should consider dealing with 
the problems caused by fuel subsidies -- which lead to a 
black market for fuel sales, the earnings from which can feed 
the insurgency.  Rethinking fuel subsidies, the U/S 
explained, would also help Iraq in its dealings with the 
International Monetary Fund. 
 
-------------------- 
REMARKS TO THE PRESS 
-------------------- 
 
12.  (C)  Following his meeting with Jaafari, USDP Edelman 
was invited to make comments to a sizable group of Iraqi 
journalists who had gathered in a room nearby.  He explained 
the reason for his trip, said he was very encouraged by what 
he saw with regard to the ISF's developing capabilities, and 
expressed pleasure to be visiting Iraq during this hopeful 
period immediately following the referendum.  In response to 
a question regarding the Coalition's plans to depart Iraq, 
Edelman responded that the Iraqis and the Coalition have 
formed a joint committee to plan for the transfer of security 
responsibilities and that any such transfers would be 
conditions-based rather than driven by an arbitrarily set 
timeline. 
 
13.  (U)  This cable was cleared by USDP Edelman. 
Satterfield