RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 006153

SIPDIS

JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE,
PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
USUN FOR MLUTZ
NSC FOR JDWORKEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ

REF: A) STATE 264652 B) ROME 6133 C) ROME 6072

CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR TONY HALL FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (S) IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS POSED IN REF A, ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE U.N. WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP) AND THE
SECRET

PAGE 03 ROME 06153 01 OF 05 301327Z
GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ'S (GOI) MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (MOT) ARE
FURTHER DEFINED AS THEY RELATE TO THE CURRENT FOOD
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. THERE IS NO/NO WFP FOOD DELIVERY AND
DISTRIBUTION NETWORK IN IRAQ. WFP PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN
THE SYSTEM IN THE NORTH AND PROVIDES OVERSIGHT IN
SOUTH/CENTRAL, BUT IT IS A GOVERNMENT SYSTEM. ESTIMATES ARE
GIVEN FOR STOCKPILES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, ALBEIT
SKETCHY FOR THE INSIDE. WFP HAS VERY LITTLE EQUIPMENT/ASSETS
OF ITS OWN IN IRAQ. NO WFP PERSONNEL WORK AT PORT UMM QASR.
WFP NATIONAL STAFF PAYMENT SYSTEM DESCRIBED. U.S. MISSION
SHARES VIEWS ON RE-ESTABLISHING THE CURRENT SYSTEM, IF IT
WERE DERAILED. SEE PARAS 12-16. END SUMMARY.

--------------
WFP RESPONSIBILITIES
--------------


2. (S) AS REPORTED IN REF C, WFP PLAYS A MUCH GREATER ROLE
IN THE NORTH THAN IN THE SOUTH/CENTRAL REGIONS, BUT EVEN IN
THE NORTH, WFP IS NOT IN CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE OPERATION. IN
THE NORTH, WFP MANAGES THE EXTENDED DELIVERY POINT (EDP)
WAREHOUSES IN DAHUK, ARBIL, AND SULAYMANIAH, CONTRACTS FOR
THE TRUCKING FROM THE TRANSIT WAREHOUSES IN MOSUL AND KIRKUK
TO THE NORTH AND THE TRUCKS FROM THE EDPS TO THE FOOD/FLOUR
AGENTS, AND MAINTAINS THE DATABASE OF BENEFICIARIES. AS IT
DOES IN SOUTH/CENTRAL, WFP ALSO OBSERVES ALL LOADING OF
COMMODITIES, CHECKS THE BOOKS OF THE FOOD/FLOUR AGENTS,
OVERSEES THE DISTRIBUTIONS, AND CONDUCTS POST-DISTRIBUTION
MONITORING IN THE HOUSEHOLDS. IN NONE/NONE OF THE COUNTRY,
DOES WFP DECIDE THE DATES OF THE DISTRIBUTIONS, MAKE TENDERS
FOR FOOD PURCHASES, CONTRACT OUTSIDE TRANSPORT, PLAY ANY ROLE
SECRET

PAGE 04 ROME 06153 01 OF 05 301327Z
IN THE MILLING OPERATION (OTHER THAN OVERSEEING IT),WORK
WITH ANY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS) FOR THE
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION, DO ANY DISTRIBUTIONS--EVEN IN THE
NORTH, OR MANAGE THE FOOD PIPELINE. THE MOT PERFORMS ALL THE
TASKS THAT WFP DOES NOT.


3. (C) THE MOT SERVES AS THE INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT AGENT
FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND ARRANGES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL
TRANSPORT OF COMMODITIES. IT ARRANGES FOR THE TRANSPORT AND
MAINTAINS THE DATABASE OF BENEFICIARIES IN THE CENTRAL/SOUTH,
AND KEEPS TABS ON THE BENEFICIARIES IN THE NORTH AS IT
CALCULATES HOW MUCH FOOD IS SENT TO THE NORTH MONTHLY BASED
ON THE BENEFICIARY FIGURES. IT ALSO MAINTAINS THE
WAREHOUSES, FLOUR MILLS, AND SILOS, AND SERVES AS THE OVERALL
PLANNING CENTER, INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PIPELINE.

--------------
WAREHOUSES, SUPPLIES, BENEFICIARY DATABASES
--------------


4. (S) QUESTION 3.1 IN REF A. WHAT QUANTITY OF GOODS IS

SECRET

SECRET PTQ4263

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CTME-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00
E-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 INSE-00 L-00 VCE-00
NEA-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01
IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-00
EPAE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /004W
-------------- 1E1606 301328Z /07
O 301137Z DEC 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7512
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY BERN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2//
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
USEU BRUSSELS 3036
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
SECRET

PAGE 02 ROME 06153 02 OF 05 301328Z
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC

S E C R E T SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 006153

SIPDIS

JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE,
PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
USUN FOR MLUTZ
NSC FOR JDWORKEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ

STOCKPILED? HOW MANY DAYS OF HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES DOES THIS
REPRESENT? WHO CONTROLS ACCESS TO WAREHOUSES WHERE SUPPLIES
ARE STOCKPILED?


A. (S) WFP ESTIMATES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THERE IS
APPROXIMATELY 450,000 METRIC TONS (MT),WHICH IS ALMOST
ENOUGH TO CONDUCT ONE MONTH'S DISTRIBUTION. TOTAL TONNAGE
DISTRIBUTED PER MONTH IN THE NORTH IS 50,000-60,000 MT PER
MONTH AND IN THE SOUTH/CENTRAL REGIONS IS 400,000-420,000 MT
PER MONTH, TOTALING 25.8 MILLION BENEFICIARIES IN NOVEMBER.
SECRET

PAGE 03 ROME 06153 02 OF 05 301328Z
WFP'S EDP WAREHOUSES IN THE NORTH ARE RATHER SMALL. THE
DAHUK WAREHOUSE HOLDS ONLY 3,000-4,000 MT, THE ONE IN ARBIL
IS A BIT LARGER, AND THE ONE IN SULAYMANIAH CAN STOCK FOR ONE
MONTH. THIS MEANS THE NORTH CANNOT/CANNOT CURRENTLY STORE
EVEN ONE MONTH'S OF FOOD. SINCE A TWO-MONTH DISTRIBUTION WAS
GIVEN IN DECEMBER (FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH),WFP REPORTS THE
WAREHOUSES CURRENTLY HAVE VERY LITTLE. TEA AND SUGAR
PRIMARILY.


B. (C) WFP ALSO RELAYED THAT IT NEVER/NEVER STORES WHEAT
FLOUR IN THE NORTH, AS IT IS TRANSPORTED DIRECTLY FROM THE
MILLS IN MOSUL AND/OR KIRKUK TO THE EDP POINTS, WHERE IT IS
TRANS-SHIPPED ONTO SMALLER TRUCKS WITH THE OTHER COMMODITIES
FOR DELIVERY TO THE FOOD/FLOUR AGENTS.


C. (C) OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, WFP HAS OVER 6,000 MT
BISCUITS STORED IN TURKEY AND 3,000 MT RICE THAT WILL BE
STORED IN JORDAN (ON ITS WAY FROM VIET NAM). THESE FOODS ARE
FOR WFP'S NUTRITIONAL PROJECT (PRRO 6085 - WHICH ENDS JUNE
30, 2003) BUT WFP HAS PURCHASED A LARGER QUANTITY AS A
CONTINGENCY MEASURE. WFP HAS PUT INTO PLACE NOW ARRANGEMENTS
WITH SYRIA TO BORROW 40,000 MT OF WHEAT FORM ITS NATIONAL
STOCKS. A SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE WITH A
PARASTATAL IN TURKEY FOR 4,000 MT WHEAT. DISCUSSIONS
CONTINUE WITH THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT REGARDING LOANS OF
WHEAT. WFP ALSO SIGNED A LETTER OF INTENT WITH THE IRAN RED
CRESCENT WHEREBY IT AGREED TO PROVIDE A FULL RATION TO
250,000 PEOPLE FOR ONE MONTH. WFP'S EMERGENCY OPERATION
(EMOP) FOR IRAQ WAS SIGNED ON DECEMBER 23. IT REQUESTS
PULSES AND OIL, WHICH WOULD COMPLEMENT THE WHEAT LOANS, FOR
900,000 BENEFICIARIES FOR TEN WEEKS.
SECRET

PAGE 04 ROME 06153 02 OF 05 301328Z


D. (C) IN THE NORTH, WFP CONTROLS ACCESS TO THE THREE
WAREHOUSES IN THE NORTH; THE MOT CONTROLS ACCESS TO ALL OTHER
WAREHOUSES, MILLS, AND SILOS.


5. (S) QUESTION 3.2 IN REF A. WHO CONTROLS THE COMPILATION
OF, AND ACCESS TO, THE BENFICIARY RATION LISTS? WFP
MAINTAINS THE BENEFICIARY DATABASE IN THE NORTH AND THE MOT
MAINTAINS THE LISTS FOR SOUTH/CENTRAL. WITH THAT SAID,
HOWEVER, THE MOT EXERTS CONTROL OVER THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. AS
REPORTED IN REF B, THE GOI IS CURRENTLY EXPELLING KURDS FROM
THE KIRKUK AREA AND SENDING THEM NORTH. WFP IS INTERVENING
WITH THE MOT ON THE KURDS' BEHALF TO HAVE THE DISPLACED
KURDS' NAMES REMOVED FROM THE GOI FOOD DISTRIBUTION LISTS IN
THE CENTRAL REGION SO THEY CAN BE ADDED TO WFP'S LISTS IN THE
NORTH. AND AS STATED ABOVE, THE MOT DETERMINES THE NORTH'S
MONTHLY FOOD SHIPMENT BASED ON THE LISTS. IF WFP ADDED THE
DISPLACED KURDS TO ITS LISTS WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE MOT, WFP
WOULD NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH RATIONS FOR ALL BENEFICIARIES.

--------------

SECRET

SECRET PTQ4265

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ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00
E-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 INSE-00 L-00 VCE-00
NEA-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01
IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-00
EPAE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /004W
-------------- 1E161F 301329Z /07
O 301137Z DEC 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7513
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY BERN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2//
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
USEU BRUSSELS 3037
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
SECRET

PAGE 02 ROME 06153 03 OF 05 301329Z
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC

S E C R E T SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 006153

SIPDIS

JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE,
PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
USUN FOR MLUTZ
NSC FOR JDWORKEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ

LOGISTICS
--------------


6. (S) QUESTION 3.3. PART ONE. WHAT ASSESTS/FACILITIES
DOES THE UN OWN IN IRAQ THAT ARE USED BY WFP? WHAT
IRAQI-OWNED FACILITIES/ASSETS ARE USED FOR WFP? COULD
REPLACEMENTS BE FOUND? THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR THE MOT OWN
EVERYTHING THAT WFP USES EXCEPT FOR WFP'S STAFF VEHICLES AND
COMPUTERS AND OTHER GENERAL OFFICE EQUIPMENT. WFP REPORTS
THAT THE GOI IS THE ONLY INSTITUTION THAT HAS WAREHOUSES.
SECRET

PAGE 03 ROME 06153 03 OF 05 301329Z
WFP COULD, OF COURSE, CONSTRUCT ITS OWN--IN A DIFFERENT
ENVIRONMENT OR UNDER A DIFFERENT SYSTEM. THE TRUCKS FOR FOOD
TRANSPORT ARE RENTED COMMERCIALLY IN THE NORTH.


7. QUESTION 3.3. PART TWO. IS ACCESS TO THE WFP DELIVERY
AND DISTRIBUTION NETWORK, WAREHOUSES, AND FOOD/FLOUR AGENTS
LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE TO INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES
IN A POST-CONFLICT ENVIRONMENT? AS STATED IN REF TELS,
THERE IS NO/NO WFP DELIVERY AND DISTRIBUTION NETWORK. THERE
IS ONLY THE MOT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, TO WHICH WFP PROVIDES
OVERSIGHT IN SOUTH/CENTRAL, AND PLAYS A MORE INTEGRAL ROLE IN
THE NORTH. PLEASE SEE PARA 2 ABOVE. THE WAREHOUSE SPACE
BEING USED BY WFP IN THE NORTH IS MINIMAL, SO THERE IS NO
UNUSED SPACE AVAILABLE TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN
AGENCIES. WFP, HOWEVER, COULD CONSTRUCT TEMPORARY
WAREHOUSES, I.E. RUBB HALLS, AS IT DOES IN PLACES AROUND THE
WORLD THAT COULD BE SHARED WITH OTHERS. PERHAPS, OTHERS
COULD USE THE FOOD/FLOUR AGENTS TO DISTRIBUTE NON-FOOD ITEMS,
HOWEVER IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT THE AGENTS ARE SMALL
SHOP OWNERS, SO THEY DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF STORAGE SPACE.

--------------
PORT UMM QASR
--------------


8. (S) QUESTION 4.1. APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY WFP PERSONNEL
WORK AT THE UMM QASR FACILITY? WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS AND
DISTRIBTION OF PERSONNEL, INTERNATIONAL VERSUS NATIONAL,
CROSS-REFERENCED BY ROLE. COULD OTHER PERSONNEL FILL IN FOR
THE UN IF NEEDED? WFP REPORTS THAT NO/NO WFP PERSONNEL WORK
IN THE PORT UMM QASR. TOTECNA, THE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES THE
SECRET

PAGE 04 ROME 06153 03 OF 05 301329Z
IMPORTS UNDER THE OIL FOR IRAQ PROGRAM (OIP),HAS A COMPOUND
AT THE PORT WHERE ABOUT 15 STAFF ARE POSTED. ALL OTHER
PERSONNEL AT THE PORT THAT ARE INVOLVED IN HE OIL FOR FOOD
(OFF) ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE MOT.


9. (S) QUESTION 4.2 HOW DO THE BULK OF THE IRAQ NATIONAL
WORKING WITH WFP GET PAID? WHAT IS TH WAGE FOR A PORT
WORKER, TRUCK DRIVER, CRANE OPEATOR, ETC.? WFP'S NATIONAL
STAFF GET PAID IN USDOLLARS, IN CASH, ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
WFP'S BAGHAD OFFICE SENDS THE STAFF HOURS TO WFP'S REGIONALOFFICE IN CAIR

O. WFP/CAIRO SENDS THE REQUEST FOR UNDS TO
OIP. OIP DISBURSES THE MONEY TO U.N. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
(UNDP) IN BAGHDAD, WHO IN TURN GIVES THE DOLLARS TO THE
WFP/BAGHDAD. SINCE WFP HAS NO NATIONAL STAFF AT THE PORT,
NO AVERAGE WAGES CAN BE PROVIDED FOR PORT STAFF. THE
FUNCTIONS MENTIONED ABOVE ARE FILLED BY THE MOT.


10. (S)QUESTION 4.3. WOULD IRAQIS BE LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO
WORK IN THE ABSENCE OF THE UN IF THEY CONTINUED TO GET PAID?
YES, WFP THINKS THEY WOULD, TO THE EXTENT THEY WERE ABLE TO
DO SO.

SECRET

SECRET PTQ4266

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ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00
E-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 INSE-00 L-00 VCE-00
NEA-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01
IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-00
EPAE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /004W
-------------- 1E162D 301329Z /07
O 301137Z DEC 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7514
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY BERN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2//
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
USEU BRUSSELS 3038
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
SECRET

PAGE 02 ROME 06153 04 OF 05 301329Z
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC

S E C R E T SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 006153

SIPDIS

JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE,
PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
USUN FOR MLUTZ
NSC FOR JDWORKEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ


11. (S) QUESTION 4.4.5.6 WFP IS UNABLE TO SHED ANY LIGHT ON
THE QUESTIONS REGARDING TANKERING OPERATIONS AT THE PORT
SINCE IT HAS NO STAFF WORKING IN THE PORT. IT SUGGESTS THAT
OIP WOULD BE A BETTER SOURCE.

--------------
WFP STAFFING
--------------

SECRET

PAGE 03 ROME 06153 04 OF 05 301329Z

12. (C) AS REPORTED IN REF B, WFP HAS FORMED A TASK FORCE
THAT HAS HELD TWO MEETINGS THUS FAR. THE NEXT MEETING IS ON
JANUARY 2. ONE OF ITS FIRST TASKS HAS BEEN TO IDENTIFY
POTENTIAL STAFF THAT COULD BE PULLED FROM OTHER OPERATIONS.
IT IS COMPILING A ROSTER AND NOTIFYING THE STAFF REGARDING
THEIR POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT IN A POTENTIAL WFP GULF
OPERATION. THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR OF
OPERATIONS, JEAN-JACQUES GRAISSE, IS ALSO BECOMING VERY
PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THE CONTINGENCY PLANNING ASPECTS.

--------------
VIEWS ON RE-ESTABLISHING THE CURRENT SYSTEM
--------------


13. (S) THE KEY TO RE-STARTING THE CURRENT FOOD DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM, IF THE ENTIRE OR PARTS OF THE SYSTEM ARE DERAILED, IS
THE MOT AND THE WFP NATIONAL STAFF. AS STATED IN REF B AND
REITERATED IN PARA 3 ABOVE, THE MOT PLAYS A TREMENDOUS ROLE
IN THE SYSTEM, FROM START TO FINISH. IF POSSIBLE AT THIS
STAGE, U.S. MISSION RECOMMENDS THE USG CONTEMPLATE HOW BEST
TO CONTACT THESE INDIVIDUALS IF THERE IS A REGIME CHANGE, IN
ORDER TO ASK/ENCOURAGE THEM TO RESUME THEIR PRIOR DUTIES.
THESE STAFF KNOW THEIR JOBS WELL, AND AS IT IS DESCRIBED, THE
CURRENT SYSTEM IS A WELL OILED-MACHINE THAT REQUIRES MINIMUM
DAILY MAINTENANCE TO KEEP IT GOING, BUT THE MOT STAFF ARE
KEY.


14. (S) WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WFP ADAPT THE SAME DUTIES FOR
THE SOUTH/CENTRAL REGION THAT IT CURRENTLY ASSUMES IN THE
NORTH, WITH SOME ADDITIONAL ONES. THE MOT STAFF COULD
CONTINUE THEIR SAME DUTIES BUT WITH CLOSER OVERISIGHT AND
SECRET

PAGE 04 ROME 06153 04 OF 05 301329Z
DIRECTION FROM WFP. THESE DUTIES WOULD INCLUDE MAKING
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL (IF SANCTIONS WERE LIFTED) TENDERS
FOR THE FOOD, CONTRACTING THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL
TRANSPORT, MANAGEMENT OF THE PIPELINE, MAINTENANCE OF THE
BENEFICIARY DATABASE FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, AND OVERSEEING
THE MILLING AND STORAGE OPERATION. (NOTE: WE UNDERSTAND
THERE IS SOME SKIMMING TAKING PLACE ON THE INTERNATIONAL
PURCHASES. WFP WOULD HAVE THE TOUGH JOB OF CLEANING THIS UP.
END NOTE.)


15. (S) IN ORDER FOR WFP TO HAVE MONEY FOR THE FOOD
PURCHASES, THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO GIVE WFP LEGAL
OWNERSHIP OF THE CURRENT OIP FOOD CONTRACTS. AND AS REPORTED
IN REF B, WFP NEEDS TO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE IN A
POST-CONFLICT ZONE DETERMINE THE STATUS OF EACH OF THE
FOLLOWING: 1) HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY; 2) WHAT IS LEFT OF
THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN EACH AREA; 3) THE INSTITUTIONAL
CAPACITIES OF THE VARIOUS OFFICES OF THE MOT; 4) CURRENT
STOCKS IN COUNTRY AND WHAT IS IN THE OFF PIPELINE. TO THE
EXTENT POSSIBLE, USG PERSONNEL SHOULD ASSIST WFP IN THESE
TASKS.

SECRET

SECRET PTQ4272

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INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00
E-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 INSE-00 L-00 VCE-00
NEA-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01
IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-00
EPAE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /004W
-------------- 1E165F 301331Z /07
O 301137Z DEC 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7515
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY BERN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2//
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
USEU BRUSSELS 3039
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
SECRET

PAGE 02 ROME 06153 05 OF 05 301331Z
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC

S E C R E T SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 006153

SIPDIS

JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE,
PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
USUN FOR MLUTZ
NSC FOR JDWORKEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ


16. (S) U.S. MISSION RECOMMENDS THAT ANOTHER MEETING BE HELD
WITH WFP STAFF IN ROME OR WASHINGTON WITH KEY USG PLANNING
MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN PERSONNEL THE SECOND OR THIRD WEEK
OF JANUARY TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION THAT TOOK PLACE ON
DECEMBER 12. IF WE DECIDE ON A DATE NOW, WE CAN ENSURE THAT
KEY WFP PERSONNEL ARE IN THE MEETING SO THAT DETAILED
DISCUSSIONS REGARDING ALL FACETS OF THE OPERATION CAN TAKE
PLACE. AS WAS STATED BY THE CENTCOM STAFF IN THE DECEMBER 12
MEETING, WFP WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE AFTERMATH OF ANY
SECRET

PAGE 03 ROME 06153 05 OF 05 301331Z
MILITARY ACTIVITY, AND IT BENEFITS US ALL TO INCLUDE THEM IN
OUR DIALOGUE.
HALL

SECRET

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2002ROME06153 - Classification: SECRET