Wikileaks - MCCLXXXVI

193344 2/23/2009 13:10 09BAGHDAD469 Embassy Baghdad CONFIDENTIAL VZCZCXRO9833 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #0469/01 0541310 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231310Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1835 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0048 RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2// PRIORITY C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000469

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2019 TAGS: PGOV, PREL, MOPS, MARR, PTER, IZ SUBJECT: ROMANIAN FORCES IN IRAQ SET TO RESUME FULL OPERATIONS UNDER NEW BILATERAL AGREEMENT WITH THE GOI

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

1. (C) Summary: Romanian forces are engaged in operational support of Coalition and Iraqi forces but are not conducting off base activities in Tallil pending the establishment of a Joint Committee for the implementation of their January 26 MoU. This is on track to be completed in conjunction with visit of Romanian Joint Operational Headquarters Commander General Ghica-Radu on February 24 . The MoU, governing Romania's continued temporary presence in Iraq until July 31, defines the GoR's tasks and activities, calls fGn~OIQPCAJQjt7 IQQ%Qand English in advance of the first Committee meeting and noted that GoI members would include: MG Ghalib, Staff BG Khodhair Abas Mozan; Staff BG Jameel Kamil Abdulah; and Mr. Raad Shakir Mahmood. Representatives from Romania include BG Tomescu, LTC Duminicescu; MAJ Paraschiv; and CAPT Colibaba.

4. (C) The first meeting of the Joint Committee was held on February 22 to implement the MoU between the GoR and GoI and establish a mechanism for future conflict resolution. The Committee reviewed pre-prepared minutes for the meeting and discussed key provisions of the MoU including: that members of the Romanian forces arrested or detained by the GoI shall be turned over to Romanian forces for custody within 24 hours; an act committed in self- defense is not considered a crime; and facilities and military installations of the Romanian Forces are defined as Tallil and Al Kut. (Note: The GoI agreed to the English version of the minutes but noted QGoI agreed to the English version of the minutes but noted some errors in the Arabic translation that must be corrected before signing the document; end note.) Additionally, the Committee discussed and approved Romania's continuing tasks and activities as follows:

- provide humanitarian support to Iraqi civilians in the Tallil area;

- provide movement security when conducting operations defined herein;

- provide medical support for prisoners and others though US clinics in Camp Bucca and Camp Cropper;

- provide staff officers, embedded with US forces, to mentor and train Iraqi Security Forces;

- provide training for and execution of aerial reconnaissance in the area of Al Kut in coordination with the 8th Iraqi Army Division;

- provide training and mentorship to the Iraqi Security Forces in the Tallil area;

- provide protection of Romanian facilities and force

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protection when carrying out the tasks defined herein; and

- provide logistics support to Romanian forces in accordance with the current Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).

5. (C) Comment: Everything appears to be well in order for Romanian forces in Iraq. General Tomescu has done an excellent job of encouraging the GoI to move quickly to establish a Joint Committee. Both parties are expected to sign the minutes of the February 22 Joint Committee meeting in the coming days, after which the GoR is expected to lift the current restrictions on Romanian forces to operate off base in Tallil. General Tomescu will make every effort to have this matter concluded prior to General Ghica-Radu's visit. Now that the committee has met and agreed to the provisions in the January 26 MoU, it is unlikely that it will meet again - notwithstanding an incident involving Romanian forces. End Comment. BUTENIS