PROJECT MONEY JUMP-STARTS PRDCS IN MAYSAN AND DHI QAR

UNCLAS BASRAH 000154 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EAID IZ UN SUBJECT: PROJECT MONEY JUMP-STARTS PRDCS IN MAYSAN AND DHI QAR REF: BASRAH 139, BASRAH 150 ¶1. Summary: The Provincial Reconstruction and Development Committees (PRDC) in Maysan and Dhi Qar provinces met on December 19 and 20. Demonstrations over fuel price increases in both provinces threatened to disrupt the meetings, but Provincial Council members prevailed in making the meeting take place. The approval of $7.9 and $7 million respectively in projects for the two provinces was well received. This influx of project money has jump-started the stalled PRDC process in these two southern provinces (reftel A). End Summary. Maysan PRDC Meeting, December 19 -------------- -------------- ¶2. On December 19, REO PolOff and IRMO attended the Maysan PRDC meeting in Al-Amarah. Originally planned to take place in the Pink Palace in town, the meeting had to be relocated to Camp Abu Naji when a demonstration of about 100 people in front of the Pink Palace over fuel price increases forced the military convoy transporting the international donors to turn back. Long lines of cars and trucks waiting at fuel stations were evident as the convoy made its way through town and back to the camp. Despite the obstacles, several members of the Maysan Provincial Council turned up at Camp Abu Naji so that the PRDC meeting could take place. Also in attendance were representatives from USAID, Army Corps of Engineers, the UN, DFID, and British officers from Camp Abu Naji. ¶3. The Maysan Provincial Council members received the IRMO's announcement of $7.9 million USD for roads, electricity, and water projects with satisfaction. REO IRMO explained that the rest of the $10 million was being kept in a contingency fund to cover unexpected costs. If any money remained after the projects were completed, this money would be turned over again to the PRDC for use in other prioritized projects. In order to begin project implementation, the Maysan Provincial Council members agreed to approach the rest of the PRDC members to secure the necessary verification letter on proceeding with the projects selected by the National Embassy Team (NET) for funding. ¶4. British officers encouraged the Maysan PRDC members to develop a public outreach strategy to communicate projects and their benefits to the public. Maysan officials countered that this was already being done to some degree by word-of-mouth, and that they were reluctant to advertise projects that were not yet completed because they did not want to put themselves in the potential embarrassing position of not being able to deliver on their promises. Nevertheless, at the end of the meeting, the Maysan officials agreed to begin developing ways to communicate project benefits to the public. Dhi Qar PRDC Meeting, December 20 -------------- -------------- ¶5. On December 20, REO PolOff and IRMO attended the Dhi Qar PRDC meeting in Nasiriyah at the Nasiriyah power plant. Many PRDC members were unable to attend the meeting because fuel demonstrations in town blocked roads, making transportation to the power plant difficult. In addition, many Provincial Council members were engaged in an emergency session to deal with the political unrest caused by the fuel price increases. Provincial Council Reconstruction Chairman Engineer Thajeel Kareem Ubeed attended and chaired the meeting. Also in attendance were representatives from USAID, Army Corps of Engineers, the UN, DFID, and Italian officials from Camp Mittica. ¶6. REO IRMO confirmed Ambassador Khalilzad's December 12 announcement that $7 million USD had been approved by the NET (reftel B) for four roads and one electricity project. Engineer Thajeel said that he would like to switch out one of the approved projects for one on the unapproved list because the project had been promised to the people in that area. IRMO responded that switching out projects was possible and outlined the procedures for doing so. Engineer Thajeel agreed to supply the necessary documentation. ¶7. COMMENT: Both Provincial Councils and donor organizations overcame significant hurdles in order to submit acceptable lists of prioritized projects to the NET. The political crisis caused by the fuel price increases, traffic snarled by cars lined up for fuel, and angry crowds did not prevent Provincial Council members from attending the PRDC meetings and proceeding with project implementation. The announcement of funds for infrastructure projects sparked renewed interest in the PRDC, moving forward reconstruction and development efforts in these two southern provinces. END COMMENT. GROSS