VZCZCXRO1067
PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0561/01 0481916
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171916Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9698
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000561
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EFIN IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON KEY PRIORITIES
1. The following statement was posted on the Iraqi
Presidency's website ( www.iraqipresidency.net ), dated
February 15 (posted February 16), following a meeting between
the three-member Presidency Council and Prime Minister
Al-Maliki. The statement lists priority issues on which
senior GoI officials seek to cooperate, some of which have
been associated with the concept of a "moderate front" of
cooperation among Iraq's top leaders. The issues include
security, economic legislation, DeBa'athification,
constitutional review, strengthening the judiciary, and
easing the plight of Iraqi refugees.
2. BEGIN TEXT (INFORMAL EMBASSY TRANSLATION):
Statement of the Presidency Council
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
A meeting was held by the Presidency Council headed by His
Excellency President Jalal Al-Talabani and attended by the
Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. The meeting was attended by
the two Vice Presidents, Mr. Adel Abdul Mahdi and Mr. Tariq
Al Hashimi to discuss the political and security situations,
services, the future of the political process, plans for
national reconciliation, and progress of the constitutional
process. In-depth discussions of all political issues
confronting the country were held; the following matters were
especially emphasized:
1 -- The importance of supporting the security plan (named)
"Law Enforcement" and restoring the prestige of the State,
restoring order, combating terrorism whatever its source, as
well as sabotage and illegal activities in a way that allows
the restoration of security and calm and confidence to the
citizens and allows them to pursue normal life, preventing
murder and forced immigration, and returning the displaced to
their homes in addition to the return of properties, mosques,
Al-Hussainiyats (Shia religious community centers) and
interests to their owners. The meeting praised the role of
our brave Armed Forces and its sacrifices and appealed to
strictly adhere to professionalism and neutrality and respect
for human rights, while stressing the importance of the
solidarity of the Iraqi people and political forces, standing
(together) in one line against the enemies of the country and
the homeland.
2 -- Calling on the Policy Council for National Security to
convene in the coming days to discuss sensitive and basic
matters the country is facing.
3 -- Working with the Council of Representatives (CoR) on
amendments and ministerial reforms supporting the National
Unity Government of PM Al-Maliki and improving the
performance of the government in serving citizens.
4 -- Completing necessary legislation and issuing needed
administrative instructions to activate the principal laws
for launching economic renaissance, particularly laws on
investment, oil, and gas to guarantee a just sharing of
resources.
5 -- To proceed with the Plan of National Reconciliation and
review of the DeBa'athification Law and decisions taken by
the (DeBa'athification) Commission in a way that guarantees
justice, objectivity and transparency and achieves the
principles of accountability and the necessary reconciliation
to deal with the legacy of the past and look forward to a
future that achieves national unity and ends all forms of
disunity and division among citizens.
6 -- To cooperate with the Iraqi CoR to amend the
constitution in a way that strengthens the principle of
national agreement and strengthens constitutional and
democratic institutions in the country.
7 -- To deal with other pending constitutional issues such as
the requirements of article 140, the governorates and their
borders, the election of provincial councils, the regions,
the flag, the national anthem, and the Federal Council in a
way that realizes the stability of the political system in
the country in order for it to go forward with the tasks of
construction and building, ending the age of backwardness,
tyranny and despotism.
8 -- To strengthen the role of the judiciary and human
rights, and strive to liquidate the vestiges of the former
period by releasing all those proven innocent while enhancing
the ethics of amnesty without any flexibility in dealing with
those violating law and order.
9 -- To address the worsening situation of Iraqi refugees,
especially in neighboring countries, and to adopt urgent
policies to fulfill their urgent humanitarian needs and to
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prepare the objective circumstances to facilitate their
return to Iraq as soon as possible.
10 -- The meeting sought to set timelines and timed programs
related to the aforementioned paragraphs in a way that
guarantees continuity of the momentum with which the security
plan "Law Enforcement" began. The above-mentioned leaders
committed to continue working within the framework of their
executive functions and constitutional responsibilities as
political leaders, in cooperation with legislative and
judicial authorities and the various political forces and
figures.
Baghdad -- February 15, 2007
END TEXT OF STATEMENT.
KHALILZAD