Cablegate: Iraqi Government Requests Australia, Romania, El Salvador and Estonia Provide "Non-Combat Assistance" Beyond 31 December

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TO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0412
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0037
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003630

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS IZ ES RO AS EN
SUBJECT: IRAQI GOVERNMENT REQUESTS AUSTRALIA, ROMANIA, EL SALVADOR AND ESTONIA PROVIDE "NON-COMBAT ASSISTANCE" BEYOND 31 DECEMBER

Classified By: Political-Military Minister-Counselor Michael H. Corbin
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (C) On November 13, Iraqi National Security Advisor (NSA)
Dr. Mowaffaq Rubaie issued invitation letters to Australia,
El Salvador, Estonia and Romania, thanking them for their
"selfless sacrifices in assisting Iraq in establishing itself
as a democracy" and inviting their continued support and
presence in Iraq beyond December 31. The letters state that
the future role of these Coalition partners will be in a
"non-combat assistance" capacity. This is consistent with
earlier discussions and an exchange of letters between the
U.S. and GOI. The invitation letters state that more
detailed information will follow. As of November 15, the GOI
had delivered each of the letters to the embassies of the
respective Coalition partners or to their senior military
representative in country.

2. (C) Comment: As Post anticipated, the letters do not set
forth the details of specific arrangements between the GOI
and the respective Coalition partners, but rather serve as an
official notice to the partners that their continued support
in Iraq is necessary and welcome. The GOI will likely not
engage in detailed discussions with these Coalition partners
until after conclusion of the U.S. - GOI agreement on the
status of U.S. forces. Post will continue to engage the GOI
at senior levels to press for continued attention to the
status of Coalition personnel. End Comment.
CROCKER

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