11-F-0117 Doc 2669 Letter from L Paul Bremer 2 December 2003

0 3 \ 2 0 Z -\b COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BAGHDAD 2 December 2003 His Eminence Grand Ayatollah AI-Sayyid Ali AI-Sistani Najaf, Iraq Your Eminence, Thank you for meeting recently with my colleague, Mr. Dhia, to discuss your views on the political and constitutional process in Iraq. I appreciate your warm welcome of Mr. Dhia and would like to continue to use him as my confidential channel to you. I recognize your concerns regarding the implementation of the November 15 agreement. I believe that the November 15 Agreement addresses our overriding mutual objective that the permanent constitution be written for Iraqis, by Iraqis. The best way to ensure this is through the direct elections to the constitutional convention provided for in the Agreement. I also assure you that the Law of Administration will respect the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people, while providing for full freedom of worship. I have asked Mr. Dhia to make himself available to meet with you at any time in order to continue our confidential dialogue. Respectful I y, L. Paul Bremer I11 Administrator