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### Viewing cable 07BAGHDAD360, UK DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYS HMG WILL DRAWDOWN, AND

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
07BAGHDAD360 | 2007-02-03 13:48 | 2011-06-05 03:00 | SECRET | Embassy Baghdad

Appears in these articles:
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/wikileaks/Wikleaks-US-anger-at-Gordon.6779840.jp
http://news.scotsman.com/iraq/Wikileaks-Gordon-Brown-39wanted-to.6779847.jp
http://news.scotsman.com/iraq/Wikileaks-Iraqi-premier-feared-British.6779849.jp
http://news.scotsman.com/iraq/Wikileaks-Tories-asked-to-oppose.6779848.jp
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Leader-Historical-insight.6779771.jp

`

    VZCZCXRO7181
    PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
    DE RUEHGB #0360/01 0341348
    ZNY SSSSS ZZH
    P 031348Z FEB 07
    FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9393
    INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
    RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
    RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY

` `

    S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000360

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2017
    TAGS: PINS PNAT PINR PREL MOPS MARR IZ
    SUBJECT: UK DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYS HMG WILL DRAWDOWN, AND
    IRAN IS A MENACE

    REF: A. BAGHDAD 0328
    ¶B. BAGHDAD 0257
    ¶C. BAGHDAD 0229

    Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

    ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: On January 29, UK Secretary of State for
    Defense, Des Browne told the Ambassador that HMG remains
    committed to the mission in Iraq, but would need to drawdown
    its force strength in the coming months. He promised that
    London would coordinate this downsizing with us. The
    Ambassador emphasized the importance of British forces
    maintaining a strong presence in central Basra. Browne
    expressed concern with Iranian interference in Iraq, agreeing
    that the time was right to ratchet up the pressure on Tehran.
    At the same time, he supported a dialogue with Iran, if
    Tehran undertook some confidence building steps first. END
    SUMMARY.

    UK to Drawdown Forces
    ---------------------

    ¶2. (S) On January 29, UK Secretary of State for Defense Des
    Browne told the Ambassador that HMG is planning to withdraw a
    significant number of its troops in the coming months.
    Browne explained the entire UK force is no larger than the US
    Marine Corps and that it is stressed by service in Iraq and
    Afghanistan. It can no longer sustain the current tempo.
    Furthermore, he said, the UK is increasing its force size in
    Afghanistan because they believe there is a real opportunity
    to defeat the Taliban and stabilize the south in the next
    several months. He said that the increase in Afghanistan
    would need to be counterbalanced by a reduction of troops in
    Iraq. Browne added that the growing dissatisfaction with the
    war among the British population was also putting pressure on
    the government to drawdown.

    ¶3. (S) Browne said the MND-SE commander would coordinate
    closely with the Coalition to ensure the transition goes
    smoothly and Basra remains stable. He assured the Ambassador
    that the UK would maintain its presence in Basra, but noted
    that London had yet to finalize its plan. The Ambassador
    said Washington was eager to receive the details of the plan,
    noting that the change will affect the U.S. presence in the
    area. The Ambassador said he needed to consider the British
    plans as we determine how best to protect U.S. civilians
    working in the Basra Palace.

    ¶4. (S) Browne said the US should not focus on the British
    reduction in terms of troop numbers. While the downsizing
    would result in the closure of forward operating bases and
    other facilities around Basra, Browne argued that remaining
    British forces would still conduct critical missions in the
    center of Basra, such as training and supporting the ISF and
    having quick reaction forces stationed for emergencies. The
    Ambassador stressed the importance of the UK maintaining a
    solid presence in the center of Basra, noting that the
    Coalition does not want the enemy to think we have given up.
    He said that Prime Minister Maliki also wants to have the UK
    remain in Basra, the second most important city in Iraq.
    Browne committed to take this message back to London.

    Near Term Steps to Change Iranian Behavior
    ------------------------------------------

    ¶5. (S) Browne told the Ambassador that HMG is gravely
    concerned with malign Iranian-sponsored activities in Iraq,
    adding that steps must be taken to disrupt and diminish them.
    He said Iran was targeting UK soldiers, providing training
    to militias, and smuggling weapons into Iraq. The Ambassador
    agreed, outlining his ideas for a near term way forward to
    change Iranian behavior.

    ¶6. (S) When the Ambassador said that MNF-I spokesman Major
    General Caldwell intended to hold a press conference offering
    evidence of Iranian activity in Iraq, Browne suggested
    bolstering the presentation's effect by simultaneously
    mounting an I/O campaign. He said this could be done by
    leaking some of President Talabani's conversations in Tehran
    and Syria with Iranian officials (Reftel C). For example,
    IRGC's Quds Force Commander Qassem Suleimeni reportedly told
    Talabani that Tehran supports the killing of British forces.
    Browne also said we could leak reports that Tehran is working
    with Sadr to provide JAM leaders with safe havens in Iran.

    ¶7. (S) The Ambassador said that he is working with Iraqi
    Foreign Minister Zebari to ensure Iranian diplomats
    accredited to Iraq are actually diplomats (Reftel B). Zebari
    recently provided the Embassy with a list of Iranian

    BAGHDAD 00000360 002 OF 002

    diplomats serving in Iran and has committed to removing
    anyone identified as a member of Pastran, Quds Force, or
    MOIS. Those proven to be involved in illegal activities will
    also be removed. The Ambassador said that he had warned
    Zebari that Iraqi accreditation of Quds Force personnel would
    significantly increase the risks of conflict between Vienna
    Convention and U.S. force protection responsibilities.

    ¶8. (S) The Ambassador said he was exploring with Washington
    how to respond to Soleimani's message brought by Talabani.
    Browne said London could serve as a messenger to Iran, if
    needed. He recommended that we precondition any talks,
    asking Iran to take a few concrete steps to demonstrate it is
    serious about changing its activities in Iraq. Browne
    suggested demanding that the Iranian Government: publicly
    state it will stop targeting/attacking Coalition forces;
    assist the Coalition in identifying nefarious actors; and
    provide assistance to the GOI for development along the Shatt
    al Arab waterway. Browne said the waterway commitment would
    be extremely useful, noting that reconstruction of the ports
    is virtually impossible at this time because it would require
    Iraqi "transgression" into Iranian waters.

    The Right Time to Pressure Iran
    -------------------------------

    ¶9. (S) Browne agreed with the Ambassador's assessment that
    the timing is right to increase the pressure on Iranian EFP
    networks. Browne said Iran is increasingly on the defense,
    noting the recent uptake in domestic and international
    condemnation of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's strident,
    belligerent messages; the increased criticism by regional
    players of Iran's actions that fuel sectarian violence; and
    the US's recent successful military operations against
    Iranians linked to EFP networks.

    ¶10. (S) Browne asked whether the Ambassador was concerned
    this added pressure might push Iran to escalate its
    activities in Iraq. While acknowledging that we cannot
    precisely calibrate the Iranian reaction to our operations,
    the Ambassador argued that doing nothing seemed more risky.
    Browne agreed, but cautioned that Iran is an unpredictable
    and inconsistent actor. The Ambassador concurred, but said
    that Iran seemed to want to avoid a direct military
    engagement with the US.
    KHALILZAD

`