VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHGB #3730 3301739
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251739Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0558
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0760
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003730
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR VCI AND IO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MNUC PARM PREL UNGA IZ
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA: DEMARCHE ON FIRST COMMITTEE COMPLIANCE
RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 123493
1. (SBU) On November 23, we conveyed reftel points to
Ambassador Talal Al-Khudairi, MFA's IO Chief, urging that
Iraq support the First Committee resolution on Compliance
when it comes before the UNGA Plenary. In a November 25
follow-up phone conversation, Al-Khudairi said Iraq had
followed the Arab consensus in abstaining on the resolution
when it came before the First Committee. We reiterated our
surprise and disappointment that Iraq had not joined with the
other 142 countries supporting the resolution and underlined
our hope that Iraq would be able to support it in the
plenary. Al-Khudairi was non-committal and didn't volunteer
an opinion one way or the other but said he had forwarded the
demarche to Deputy Foreign Minister Abbawi for his
consideration.
CROCKER