VZCZCXRO8875
PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #3351 2930301
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 190301Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0006
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 0036
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0070
RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 0016
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 0010
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC//
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003351
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AS EN ES IZ MOPS PREL RO
SUBJECT: PM MALIKI TO MOVE ON INVITATIONS TO FOUR COALITION
MEMBERS
1. (SBU) Summary. Prime Minister Nuri al-Malaki has agreed
to the U.S. request to formally invite four countries -
Australia, El Salvador, Romania, and Estonia - to maintain
forces in Iraq for non-combat purposes following January 1,
2009. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In a letter dated October 16, 2008, Iraqi National
Security Advisor Mowaffak al Rubaie informed the Ambassador
and General Odierno that the Prime Minister had agreed to
send invitations per the U.S. request to four members of the
coalition - Australia, El Salvador, Romania, and Estonia - to
remain in Iraq and provide non-combat assistance for the Iraq
Security Forces after January 1, 2009. This letter was in
response to a letter sent by the Ambassador and General
Odierno clarifying discussions on this issue. The Embassy
will follow up to make sure that the invitations are
transmitted. Text of the letter is below.
3. (SBU) Text of the letter:
Begin Text.
16 October 2008
Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker
United States Embassy, Baghdad
General Raymond T. Odierno
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Dear Ambassador Crocker and General Odierno,
The Prime Minister has asked me to respond for him to your
letter of 14 October 2008 recommending that Iraq invite four
countries - Australia, El Salvador, Romania, and Estonia - to
remain in Iraq carrying out non-combat assistance to Iraqi
Security Forces after 1 January 2009.
The Prime Minister has agreed with your request.
I shall work with the Office of the Prime Minister to provide
appropriate invitations for this purpose.
Sincerely,
Signed
Mowaffak al Rubaie
National Security Advisor
Republic of Iraq
End text.
CROCKER