IRMO DIRECTOR'S MEETING WITH

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 005032

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, NOT FOR INTERNET
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STATE FOR NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PNAT PREL IZ
SUBJECT: IRMO DIRECTOR'S MEETING WITH
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR ON PROVINCIAL
RECONSTRUCTION TEAMS (PRT) AND US-JAPAN
RECONSTRUCTION COORDINATION


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On December 12, IRMO Director Daniel
Speckhard met with Japanese Ambassador Toshiro Suzuki
to discuss a potential Japanese role in the PRT
initiative and US-Japan cooperation to assist in Iraqi
reconstruction efforts. Suzuki reaffirmed Japan's
continued desire to assist in Iraq's reconstruction and
said he would consult Tokyo on the PRT initiative. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Speckhard began the December 12 meeting by
thanking Suzuki for Japan's deployment of Self-Defense
Forces (SDF) in Samawa and the SDF's reconstruction
efforts in southern Iraq. Speckhard then asked Suzuki
about Japan's possible participation in the PRTs.
Suzuki replied that it might be difficult to deploy
Japanese civilian subject matter experts to PRTs
because of legal constraints on the movement of
Japanese government non-combatant personnel in Iraq.
Noting the difficulty of the SDF's involvement in the
PRTs in Afghanistan, Suzuki also explained that the
challenge to deploying SDF personnel in the PRT
initiative arises from the SDF's restricted rules of
engagement.


3. (SBU) Speckhard rejoined that as the second largest
donor in Iraq, Japan would benefit from the presence of
civilian representatives in PRTs. Even if they were
not authorized to leave the PRT compound, they could
still function as provincial liaison officials between
the Japanese government and the Iraqi government. By
providing on-site information to the Japanese
government and enabling Iraqis to directly access the
Japanese development aid system, Japanese PRT members
could provide real value to the Japanese government.
The Iraqis might access Japanese technical expertise
and engage in networking, and the Japanese government
would be able to shape development strategies in Iraq.


4. (SBU) In response to Suzuki's query concerning the
type of experts needed in PRTs, Speckhard said experts
are needed in procurement, budget, personnel resources,
management, urban planning, and development strategy.
Speckhard went on that the PRTs will help oversee
USAID's programs in the field and work with the Gulf
Region Division (GRD) of the Army Corps of Engineers to
oversee reconstruction projects. Suzuki asked whether
a Japanese representative on PRTs might oversee
Japanese reconstruction programs. Speckhard replied
that such persons might possibly do so.


5. (SBU) After describing the initial PRT rollout --
PRTs have been established in Mosul, Hillah, and Kirkuk
-- and possible PRTs elsewhere, Speckhard told Suzuki
the PRT initiative is a two-year program. He then
encouraged him to consider the opportunity to support
and influence economic development in Iraq through the
PRTs. Suzuki, who earlier had noted the flexibility
and modular make-up of the PRTs, said he would consult
Tokyo. He repeated, however, that his government is
reluctant to send additional personnel to Iraq, adding
that security arrangements will probably need to be
worked out if the Japanese Government assigns personnel
to PRTs.


6. (SBU) Toward the end of the discussion, Suzuki said
the Iraq Strategic Review Board has approved three
electric power projects to be financed by Japan's soft-
loan program. The Japanese Government is also
contributing to the Secretariat of the Electricity
Sector Working Group, and is interested in expediting
contact between the office of the IRMO Senior
Consultant on Electricity and Japanese representatives.
Speckhard and Suzuki agreed that U.S. and Japanese
reconstruction experts should meet in Amman to consult
on our respective reconstruction programs, possibly in
January 2006. Suzuki promised to consult Tokyo on a
time and place for a bilateral meeting of U.S. and
Japanese experts.

KHALILZAD