Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD4407
2005-10-26 18:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

IMF DISCUSSIONS WITH IRAQ

Tags:  ECON EFIN PGOV PREL MCAP IZ IMF 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004407 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR D, E, NEA/I, AND EB
STATE PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2015
TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV PREL MCAP IZ IMF
SUBJECT: IMF DISCUSSIONS WITH IRAQ

Classified By: CHARGE D,AFFAIRES DAVID M. SATTERFIELD FOR REASONS 1.4 (
B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004407

SIPDIS

STATE FOR D, E, NEA/I, AND EB
STATE PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2015
TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV PREL MCAP IZ IMF
SUBJECT: IMF DISCUSSIONS WITH IRAQ

Classified By: CHARGE D,AFFAIRES DAVID M. SATTERFIELD FOR REASONS 1.4 (
B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: GOI and IMF discussions in Amman on October
20-22 for a Standby Agreement (SBA) were successful.
Although there are few quantitative targets, significant
areas for reform have been set out. They include an emphasis
on budgetary discipline; modest but required increases in
fuel prices; and increased transparency in Central Bank
operations. On October 26, the Council of Ministers (CoM)
approved a letter accepting the SBA conditions, including
fuel price increases. END SUMMARY.

--------------
General Budget Discussions
--------------


2. (C) On October 25, U.S. and UK Embassy staffs received a
joint briefing on results of GOI Ministry of Finance (MOF)
discussions held with the IMF in Amman from October 20-22.
The Iraqi briefer was MOF Chief of Staff Musab al-Khateeb, a
participant in the SBA discussions and confidant of Minister
of Finance Allawi. Al-Khateeb confirmed that discussions had
produced agreement on a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a Standby
Arrangement (SBA). Although the agreement will be for one
year, two renewals of one year each are possible. Four
reviews are anticipated for 2006, with a fifth in spring 2007.


3. (C) Main points of conditionality include: 1) concurrence
by the IMF with an approved state budget; 2) fuel price
increases; and 3) significant progress toward a transparent
audit of the Central Bank of Iraq. Quantitative targets for
the overall deficit, wages, and pensions were suggested in
the discussions, but al-Khateeb observed that they are for
the most part bracketed. Importantly for revenue
projections, the parties accepted a baseline oil production
number of 1.7 million barrels per day (mbpd) priced at an
average $46.6 per barrel. This yields a working number of
$29.9 billion for petroleum-based revenue in 2006, or $27.5
billion after allowing for 5 percent reparations to Kuwait.



4. (C) While there appear to be few quantitative targets in
the LOI, al-Khateeb stated that the IMF wishes to the see the
2006 deficit limited to 5.3 trillion ID ($3.6 billion),
compared to the deficit of $5.0 billion that appeared in
MOF's earlier draft budget. The IMF also suggested a limit
to wages and pensions of 9.3 trillion ID ($6.2 billion),not
including the security ministries. Regarding the former,
Allawi reportedly did not agree and said that it may increase
and be covered by a 2005 carry-over. The IMF was troubled by
a GOI plan to introduce pensions for civil servants at 80
percent of salary, an initiative that Minister Allawi claimed
had been discarded. Responding to an IMF suggestion that
targeted assistance to the poor be provided, about $333
million will be set aside for this purpose. The IMF also
proposed introduction of a sales tax and value-added tax,
although no rates were mentioned. The IMF expressed concerns
on the security budget. The planned budgets for MoD and MoI
total $5.3 billion, which the IMF is watching carefully.


5. (C) The IMF wants to review the budget before it is
submitted to the CoM. (COMMENT: According to our Iraqi
source, the SBA will not hinge on budget approval by the TNA,
although review and passage by that body would be desirable.
If true, this provides a tremendous opportunity to the GOI,
since it needs to fulfill terms of the SBA in order to
proceed with Paris Club debt forgiveness and rescheduling.
END COMMENT.)

--------------
Fuel Subsidies
--------------


6. (C) The fuel subsidy issue received particular attention,
with Minister Allawi enjoined to secure a commitment from the
current government to increase prices of all fuels, effective
December 16 (i.e., the day after scheduled national
elections). The price increases should include the following
changes (strictly protect):

-a) Regular gasoline: 20 ID per liter to 75 ID
-b) Premium gasoline: 50 ID per liter to 150 ID
-c) Kerosene: 5 ID per liter to 25 ID (by March 2006).
-d) Diesel: 10 ID per liter to 20 ID (private consumers)

(NOTE: These prices fall far short of current black market
levels. However, they basically track those prices already
approved by the CoM to be introduced December 31. END NOTE.)


7. (C) Approaching the fuel subsidy problem from an angle
that eventually could permit sale of imported fuels and
petroleum products at market prices, the IMF has requested
that the recent CoM action liberalizing fuel imports be
submitted to the TNA, with the Minister of Oil also given
authority to change prices as part of the law. The IMF has
stressed the importance of the government's commitment to
increase fuel prices. That message has been received, since
as al-Khateeb noted, "if it does not go into effect, there
will be no SBA."

-------------- -
Introducing Transparency into the Central Bank
-------------- -


8. (C) Considerable attention was paid to measures to
increase transparency and effectiveness of the Central Bank
of Iraq (CBI). Accordingly, conditions for the SBA include
significant progress in the international audit of the CBI.
The SBA also will quantify net national reserves as well as
set targets for the CBI with specific performance dates.

--------------
Process
--------------


9. (C) Next steps should include approval of the LOI by the
IMF board and then by the Council of Ministers. Other
preliminary conditions include:

--Approval of the 2006 budget by the Council of Ministers;
--TNA approval of legislation liberalizing the oil product
import regime; and
--Implementation of price changes for refined petroleum
products sold in the domestic market.

--------------
Comment
--------------


9. (C) COMMENT: Although there are elements that still need
clarification, it seems that the GOI has come off well in
this discussion with the IMF. The door is open for the SBA,
the essential benchmark for Iraq to make further progress
with its international creditors. However, the ball is in
Allawi's court to produce a budget that meets the IMF's
concerns over limiting the deficit and implementing fuel
price increases. In this context, al-Khateeb's observation
that the number of people in the government who see the
benefit of the SBA is increasing is reassuring. END COMMENT.
Satterfield