Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NEWDELHI5166
2005-07-07 01:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:  

INDIA SEEKING SMALL-SCALE PROJECTS IN IRAQ

Tags:  PREL PHUM ENRG KDEM IZ IN 
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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 NEW DELHI 005166 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM ENRG KDEM IZ IN
SUBJECT: INDIA SEEKING SMALL-SCALE PROJECTS IN IRAQ

REF: A. STATE 124857

B. NEW DELHI 4798

C. NEW DELHI 4619

Classified By: PolCouns Geoffrey Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 005166

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM ENRG KDEM IZ IN
SUBJECT: INDIA SEEKING SMALL-SCALE PROJECTS IN IRAQ

REF: A. STATE 124857

B. NEW DELHI 4798

C. NEW DELHI 4619

Classified By: PolCouns Geoffrey Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) Summary: In the aftermath of the US-EU Conference in
Brussels, MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf Division) Sanjay Singh
reiterated GOI willingness to support Iraq's reconstruction
and sought specific small-scale projects, especially in the
electricity sector, which the GOI might consider funding and
executing. In a conversation with PolCouns and PolMilOff on
July 6, Singh also said the GOI would be willing to make
experts available via DVC to assist on any specific
constitutional issues for which Iraqis would like their
input. Mission requests Washington's input on both of these
Indian requests. End Summary.

GOI Assessment of Brussels Conference
--------------


2. (C) Describing the Brussels conference as "access
non-friendly," Singh seemed somewhat disappointed that Indian
FM Natwar Singh had only a few minutes to interact with PM
Jaafari and FM Zebari. Nevertheless, Singh stated that the
forum clearly demonstrated international support to implement
UNSCR 1546. He remarked on some arguments among Arab
participants about the structure of the future Iraqi state,
i.e., federal or republic, and debate between the US and
European representatives about reference to NATO in the joint
statement. He noted also that other countries, e.g., Brazil
and Japan, share some of the same reservations as India
regarding debt forgiveness, especially regarding
privately-held debt (Ref C). He was encouraged by the
universal recognition of the terrorist threat in Iraq.

Seeking Small-Scale Electricity Projects
--------------


3. (C) Recalling that FM Singh mentioned opportunities for
assisting Iraq in the electricity sector in his statement at
the Brussels conference (Ref B),PolCouns asked if the GOI
had developed any ideas for funding such projects. Singh
remarked that Ambassador Jones' advocacy for Indian
assistance in the electricity sector had helped shape New
Delhi's thinking about how best to engage in Iraq. The Joint
Secretary went on to outline what he saw as the process for

SIPDIS
engaging Iraq on any future projects: New Delhi was awaiting
a position paper from Baghdad, which would then be discussed
at an interministerial meeting, followed by a meeting of the
reconstituted Indo-Iraq Joint Commission. Considering the
push to adopt a new constitution and hold national elections
according to the established timeline, he did not see this
coming to fruition before December 15. He did, however,
express interest in funding location-specific electricity
projects for $3-5 million, as recommended by Ambassador
Jones, and asked if it would be possible to get a list of
such projects.

Democratization Assistance via DVC
--------------


4. (C) PolCouns also delivered the points in Ref A,
underscoring that India could provide insight on several
political and administrative questions via
video-conferencing. Singh stated that he felt the Iraqis
already knew what they wanted in their constitution, much of
which is already included in the Transitional Administrative
Law (TAL). The GOI, however, would be willing to make
experts available via DVC to assist on any specific issues
for which Iraqis would like their input, e.g., division of
state expenditures, financial controls, election assistance,
human rights, etc. He was confident that qualified Indian
experts in these areas would be available for a
video-conference if we or the Iraqis made a specific
proposal. The GOI already participates in UN working groups
on Iraq's constitutional issues, according to Singh. Despite
the travel ban on Indian citizens to Iraq, Singh added that
one Indian Supreme Court lawyer was currently in Baghdad to
advise on the constitution under the aegis of a foreign,
possibly American, NGO.

Amman Conference
--------------


5. (SBU) Finally, Singh said the GOI looked forward to more
direct interaction with the Iraqis on future projects at the
Amman conference, July 18-19. He did not yet know the
composition of the GOI delegation to that conference, but
thought it likely that he would attend.


6. (U) Minimize considered.
BLAKE