Cablegate: Iraqi Request to Remove Individuals From Sanctions

VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0556 1902222
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 092222Z JUL 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2212
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0595
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000556

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC EFIN UNSC PREL IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI REQUEST TO REMOVE INDIVIDUALS FROM SANCTIONS

REF: A. STATE 71498

B. BAGHDAD 1940

1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4.

2. (SBU) The Secretariat provided USUN on May 3 with a
preview of an Iraqi request to the Security Council's 1518
Committee to delist three individuals currently under
sanctions for their affiliation with the former Saddam
Hussein regime. Once informed of the impending request, the
USG asked Iraq, both in New York and in Baghdad, (REFTELS) to
delay the submission of its request until Washington had time
to review the cases. Despite these attempts to delay, Iraq
submitted the formal delisting request on June 6 (sent to
IO/PSC via email June 6). The United States and the UK both
placed holds on the request.

3. (SBU) Deputy Political Counselor Molly Phee and PolOffs
met on June 15 with Ambassador Srood Najib, Head of the Iraqi
MFA's Department of International Organizations, who was
visiting New York with the Foreign Minister during the
mid-year review of UNSCR 1723. Ambassador Najib underlined
the importance of these delisting requests to Iraq and
expressed frustration at the U.S. hold. He asked USUN to
provide him with a list of specific U.S. questions/concerns
about the cases so he could provide clarification. He
explained that he is personally handling the issue.

4. (SBU) COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST: Ambassador Najib is one
of the most influential diplomats in Iraq's Foreign Ministry.
He is a key contact for all issues related to Iraq in the
Security Council. While he acknowledged that the Iraqi
mission in New York had failed to consult in a timely fashion
with USUN about this delisting request, which he prepared in
November 2006, he argued that these delisting requests are
legitimate and explained that he is under political pressure
in Baghdad to move forward on this matter. USUN requests
guidance as to any questions/concerns regarding the Iraqi
requests so that we may engage the Iraqis in a timely fashion.
KHALILZAD

© Scoop Media