USAID/DCHA TEAM DISCUSSES WFP GEARING UP FOR

S E C R E T SECTION 03 OF 03 ROME 000371

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED CAPTION AND PARA MARKING)

AIDAC
JOINT STAFF PASS TO J3/J4/J5
STATE FOR A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
STATE PASS TO USDA FAS WASHDC
SA/INS, IO/EDA WINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, DAA/DCHA GARVELINK,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2012
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
SUBJECT: USAID/DCHA TEAM DISCUSSES WFP GEARING UP FOR
POSSIBLE IRAQ HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY OPERATION - JANUARY
23-24, 2003 MEETING IN ROME


THIS INCLUDES AGREEMENT ON WFP'S WILLINGNESS TO RETAIN A
PRESENCE IN IRAQ, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT PHASE V MAY
BE DECLARED OR IN EFFECT.

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PAGE 03 ROME 00371 03 OF 03 062229Z

12. (S) RELATIONS WITH MILITARY FORCES - ALL UN AGENCIES WORKING
ON THE GROUND WILL NEED TO INTERACT WITH THE COALITION
MILITARY AUTHORITIES. IN WFP'S VIEW, THESE LINKAGES SHOULD
BE STRENGTHENED PRIOR TO THE START OF THE CONFLICT AND SHOULD
NOT BE CONFINED SOLELY TO ISSUES RELATED WITH THE COORDINATES
OF THE HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONAL SITES. SUPPORT IN WORKING IN
A MINE-INFESTED OR CHEMICALLY CONTAMINATED ENVIRONMENT,
DEALING WITH UNEXPLODED ORDINANCE (UXO),INTERFACING AT MAJOR
BORDER CROSSINGS, NEGOTIATION OF AIR SPACE FOR RELIEF
OPERATIONS, PRIORITIZATION OF BRIDGE AND ROAD REPAIRS,
PROCEDURES FOR TRUCKING MOVEMENTS - ARE AREAS OF COMMON
CONCERN. POLICY-WISE, WFP NEEDS TO DECIDE ON THE POSSIBILITY
OF USING THE MILITARY AS A DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER ON
RELIEF DELIVERIES.


13. (S) WFP STAFFING - IN ADDITION TO DESIGNATION OF WFP
INTERNATIONAL STAFF TO THIS HUMANITARIAN EXERCISE, THE
POSSIBILITY OF SECONDMENT OF STAFF FROM WFP PARTNERS
INCLUDING NGOS WAS RAISED. WFP REPORTED THAT UNDER A STANDBY
ARRANGEMENT WITH DENMARK, PORT CAPTAINS WOULD BE MADE
AVAILABLE TO STAFF ALL MAJOR PORTS. USAID ENCOURAGED WFP TO
INTENSIFY ITS DISCUSSIONS WITH ICRC GENEVA ON A RANGE OF
LOGISTICAL AND BENEFICIARY-RELATED ISSUES. USAID ALSO
ENCOURAGED WFP TO LIAISE WITH USAID DIRECTOR-DESIGNATE FOR
IRAQ LOU LUCK, PRESENTLY BASED IN KUWAIT CITY, PARTICULARLY
ON LONGER-TERM FOOD SECURITY CONCERNS.


14. (S) OTHER MATTERS TOUCHED UPON INCLUDED KEEPING THE SAFE
WATER SUPPLY FLOWING, ENSURING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROPANE
GAS FOR COOKING, THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIL AFFAIRS WORKING
CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNORATE STRUCTURES, AND SO ON.
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PAGE 04 ROME 00371 03 OF 03 062229Z

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COMMENT
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15. (S) WFP IS COMMITTED TO REFINING AN INDICATIVE BUDGET (UP TO
FOUR MONTHS) TO KEEP THE IRAQI PDS FUNCTIONAL IN THE EVENT OF
OUTBREAK OF CONFLICT. THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE AND ARE
CONTINUING CONSIDERABLE LOGISTICAL LEGWORK IN THE REGION.
THEIR CLEAR MESSAGE TO USAID (AND BY EXTENSION TO OTHER
DONORS) IS THAT WHAT THEY NOW NEED IS AN IMMEDIATE AND
SUBSTANTIVE CASH COMMITMENT TO OPERATIONALIZE THE CONTINGENCY
PLANNING.

HALL

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PAGE 01 ROME 00371 02 OF 03 062223Z
ACTION AID-00

INFO LOG-00 COR-01 NP-00 AGRE-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DOTE-00 WHA-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00
EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 E-00 FAAE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00
OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 IRM-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00
SA-00 EPAE-00 PRM-00 DRL-01 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00
/006W
-------------- 32401E 062227Z /38
P 301703Z JAN 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7901
INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY BERN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY OSLO
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY PARIS
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
USEU BRUSSELS 3077
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
SECRET

PAGE 02 ROME 00371 02 OF 03 062223Z
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
JOINT STAFF WASHDC

S E C R E T SECTION 02 OF 03 ROME 000371

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED CAPTION AND PARA MARKINGS)

AIDAC
JOINT STAFF PASS TO J3/J4/J5
STATE FOR A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
STATE PASS TO USDA FAS WASHDC
SA/INS, IO/EDA WINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, DAA/DCHA GARVELINK,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2012
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
SUBJECT: USAID/DCHA TEAM DISCUSSES WFP GEARING UP FOR
POSSIBLE IRAQ HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY OPERATION - JANUARY
23-24, 2003 MEETING IN ROME

GRAINS (ESTIMATED AT 1.66 MILLION TONS - ALL SECTORS). IT
WAS NOTED THAT HISTORICALLY IRAQ HAS IMPORTED TWO-THIRDS OF
ITS BASIC FOOD NEEDS.

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PAGE 03 ROME 00371 02 OF 03 062223Z

5. (S) THE PRESENT DISTRIBUTION PROCESS - WFP STARTED WITH THE
BASIC ASSUMPTION THAT HOUSEHOLD FOOD STOCKS (FROM THE OUTSET
OF CONFLICT) WOULD BE ADEQUATE TO LAST FOR ONE MONTH. USAID
AGREED WITH THIS ASSESSMENT. WFP IRAQ COUNTRY DIRECTOR DUE
CONFIRMED THAT THE GOI WAS PRESENTLY FINALIZING FOOD
DISTRIBUTION PLANS FOR APRIL/MAY AT SOMEWHAT REDUCED LEVELS
(DUE TO LACK OF SOME ITEMS SUCH AS PULSES) AND HE ESTIMATED
THAT THESE RATIONS WOULD LAST THROUGH MID-TO-END APRIL. WFP
BELIEVES THAT MANY POOR FAMILIES, THE MOST FOOD INSECURE, ARE
SELLING A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (PDS)
FOOD RECEIVED IN ORDER TO MEET THEIR OTHER ESSENTIAL
REQUIREMENTS.


6. (S) STANDBY BORROWING ARRANGMENTS - ON REGIONAL BORROWING,
WFP REPORTED A 100,000 MT CEREALS "LINE OF CREDIT" SIGNED
AGREEMENT WITH SYRIA. WITH IRAN, THERE IS A QUASI-AGREEMENT
TO BORROW UP TO 40,000 MT OF WHEAT; IN KUWAIT, CONVERSATIONS
ARE IN PROGRESS RELATED TO COMMODITY LOANS OF UP TO 200,000
MT, BUT THERE ARE QUALITY ISSUES RELATED TO ANY IN-KIND
PAYBACK.


7. (S) WFP REVIEWED REGIONAL PURCHASE OPTIONS AND TIME FRAMES
FOR PROCUREMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN, INDIA, DUBAI, KUWAIT, AND
ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION. MILLING CAPACITY OUTSIDE IRAQ
(WHEAT INTO WHEAT FLOUR) WAS DISCUSSED. WFP ESTIMATED THAT
COSTS FOR FOOD PROCUREMENT, MILLING AND TRANSPORT, WOULD
AMOUNT TO APPROXIMATELY 270 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST
MONTH'S SUPPLY, AND CONTRACTS NEEDED TO BE TENDERED URGENTLY.


8. (S) ON START UP COSTS, WFP ESTIMATED AN IMMEDIATE
ORGANIZATIONAL NEED FOR U.S. DOLLARS 82 MILLION FOR FUEL,
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PAGE 04 ROME 00371 02 OF 03 062223Z
CONTRACTED SERVICES, UNHAS, STAFF DEPLOYMENT, COMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT, VEHICLES AND SUPPLIES. OF THIS SUM,
42 MILLION DOLLARS IS FOR FUEL. THIS INVESTMENT IS REQUIRED
FOR RUNNING A LOGISTICAL OPERATION TO DELIVER OVER ONE
MILLION TONS OF BASIC FOODS (IN MONTHS TWO AND THREE) THAT
WOULD KEEP THE PDS FUNCTIONING IN 18 GOVERNORATES AND
SUPPLYING MORE THAN 43,000 FOOD AGENT DISTRIBUTION POINTS.
WFP REMARKED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BUDGETING FOR THE SALARIES
OF PDS PERSONNEL IN THIS TRANSITION PERIOD. IT IS IMPERATIVE
THAT THE PDS SYSTEM REMAIN OPERATIONAL. NOTE: BY SOME POINT
IN MONTH FOUR, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE OIL-FOR-FOOD SHIPMENTS
WOULD BE RESUMED AND THAT THE PDS WOULD RETURN TO FUNCTIONING
NORMALLY. END NOTE.


9. (S) ON THE OIL-FOR-FOOD ISSUE (THE CURRENT PIPELINE IS AN
ESTIMATED U.S. DOLLARS 2.6 BILLION) GRAISSE RELATED A
CONVERSATION WITH UN U/S FRECHETTE SUGGESTING A CLOSER
WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OCHA, UNICEF AND WFP WITH THE
OIL-FOR-FOOD GROUP. WFP SUGGESTED THE URGENCY OF OBTAINING
GUIDANCE FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND AUTHORIZATION ON THE
UTILIZATION BY THE UNITED NATIONS (AS APPROPRIATE) OF PROGRAM
ASSETS IN THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PIPELINE.


11. (S) UNSECOORD - CLEARLY FOR WFP MORE DISCUSSION WITH
UNSECOORD/NEW YORK IS NEEDED N STAFF EVACUATION SHOULD
HOSTILITIES BREAK OUT, AND ENSURING PROMPT STAFF RETURNS.

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ACTION AID-00

INFO LOG-00 COR-01 NP-00 AGRE-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DOTE-00 WHA-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00
EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 E-00 FAAE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00
OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 IRM-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00
SA-00 EPAE-00 PRM-00 DRL-01 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00
/006W
-------------- 323F75 062222Z /38
P 301703Z JAN 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7900
INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY BERN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY OSLO
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY PARIS
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
USEU BRUSSELS 3076
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
SECRET

PAGE 02 ROME 00371 01 OF 03 062208Z
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
JOINT STAFF WASHDC

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000371

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED CAPTION AND PARA MARKINGS)

AIDAC
JOINT STAFF PASS TO J3/J4/J5
STATE FOR A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
STATE PASS TO USDA FAS WASHDC
SA/INS, IO/EDA WINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, DAA/DCHA GARVELINK,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2012
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID ECON KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
SUBJECT: USAID/DCHA TEAM DISCUSSES WFP GEARING UP FOR
POSSIBLE IRAQ HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY OPERATION - JANUARY
23-24, 2003 MEETING IN ROME

REF: (A) ROME 00030 (B) 02 ROME 6133 (C) 02 ROME 6072

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

PAGE 03 ROME 00371 01 OF 03 062208Z

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


1. (S) USAID/DAA/DCHA BILL GARVELINK AND D/FFP LAUREN LANDIS
VISITED WFP HEADQUARTERS ON JANUARY 23-24 TO REVIEW WFP
PROGRESS ON GEARING UP ITS HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE MECHANISM TO
ASSIST IRAQ IN THE EVENT OF OUTBREAK OF CONFLICT.
DISCUSSIONS INVOLVED THE POSSIBLE PROCUREMENT AND DELIVERY OF
2.5 MONTHS OF FOOD SUPPLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT
IRAQI PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM LEVELS, WITH DISTRIBUTIONS
TAKING PLACE IN MONTHS TWO, THREE AND THE FIRST HALF OF MONTH
FOUR, WITH AN ESTIMATED OUTLAY OF AROUND U.S.DOLLARS 800
MILLION. FOOD AVAILABILITY FOR QUICK REGIONAL PROCUREMENT TO
SATISFY TWO MONTHS OF NEEDS, THE TIMELINE FOR FOOD AID
POSITIONING, AND "BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS" IN NEIGHBORING
COUNTRIES TO IRAQ WERE REVIEWED. WFP INDICATED AN IMMEDIATE
NEED FOR U.S. DOLLARS 82 MILLION FOR FUEL, CONTRACTED
SERVICES, UNHAS, STAFF DEPLOYMENT, COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
AND EQUIPMENT, VEHICLES AND SUPPLIES. MOREOVER, FUNDS FOR
FOOD PROCUREMENT, MILLING AND TRANSPORT - APPROXIMATELY 270
MILLION DOLLARS - ARE NEEDED NOW FOR THE FIRST MONTH'S
REGIONALLY-PROCURED SUPPLY, AS CONTRACTS MUST BE TENDERED
URGENTLY. WFP SUGGESTED THE URGENCY OF OBTAINING GUIDANCE
FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND AUTHORIZATION ON THE
UTILIZATION BY THE UNITED NATIONS (AS APPROPRIATE) OF PROGRAM
ASSETS IN THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PIPELINE.FINALLY, THE TEAM'S VISIT
TO FAO WILL BE REPORTED SEPTEL. END SUMMARY.

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PAGE 04 ROME 00371 01 OF 03 062208Z
BACKGROUND
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2. (S) USAID/DAA/DCHA BILL GARVELINK AND D/FFP LAUREN LANDIS
VISITED WFP HEADQUARTERS ON JANUARY 23-24 TO REVIEW WFP
PROGRESS ON GEARING UP ITS HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE MECHANISM
FOR IRAQ IN THE EVENT OF OUTBREAK OF CONFLICT. PRINCIPAL
INTERLOCUTORS FROM WFP INCLUDED JEAN- JACQUES GRAISSE, DEPUTY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; MICHAEL STAYTON, CHIEF OF STAFF; KHALED
ADLY, WFP REGIONAL MANAGER FOR THE NEAR EAST; DAVID MORTON,
DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORT; AND TORBEN DUE, WFP IRAQ COUNTRY
DIRECTOR. DCHA/FFP DALE SKORIC, COMING FROM KUWAIT CITY,
JOINED THE TEAM FOR THE FIRST DAY'S DISCUSSIONS.


3. (S) USAID CONFIRMED A DONATION OF U.S. DOLLARS 5 MILLION IN
SUPPORT OF WFP'S U.S. DOLLARS 7.7 MILLION IRAQ EMERGENCY
OPERATION (EMOP) AND SPECIAL OPERATION (DESCRIBED REF A).
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEAN-JACQUES GRAISSE REPORTED THAT
TO DATE WFP HAD RECEIVED NO OTHER DONATIONS AND THAT GERMANY
HAD INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT INTEND TO CONTRIBUTE AT THIS
STAGE.


4. (S) WFP REVIEWED THE TENTATIVE PIPELINE CORRIDOR ALLOCATIONS
THROUGH SYRIA, JORDAN, TURKEY AND IRAN; IRAQI INTERNAL
MILLING CAPACITY (ESTIMATED AT 403,040 METRIC TONS/MONTH -
ALL SECTORS); AND IRAQI INTERNAL STORAGE CAPACITY, FOOD

SECRET

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2003ROME00371 - Classification: SECRET