Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD1181
2006-04-11 17:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

COALITION PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ PRTS

Tags:  PGOV MOPS PREL IZ AS JA PL KS ES MD LO MK 
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RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHGB #1181/01 1011749
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 111749Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3830
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0032
RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 0006
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0019
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0035
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0051
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BAGHDAD 001181 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PREL IZ AS JA PL KS ES MD LO MK
SUBJECT: COALITION PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ PRTS

Classified By: DCM David Satterfield for reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BAGHDAD 001181

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PREL IZ AS JA PL KS ES MD LO MK
SUBJECT: COALITION PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ PRTS

Classified By: DCM David Satterfield for reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and (d).


1. (U) Please see para 4 for an ACTION REQUEST.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Five of the eight planned U.S.-led
Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) have been staffed and
have received initial training: three are fully operational,
one is at initial operational capability (IOC) and expected
to achieve full operational capability (FOC) in April, and
one is pending approval to formally establish IOC. Two
Coalition-led PRTs and the remaining three U.S. led PRTs are
scheduled to open in April to May 2006.


3. (SBU) SUMMARY CONT'D: To ensure that each province has
coverage by a PRT, we need to strengthen and expedite our
efforts to obtain firm Coalition commitments. Post is
engaging in ongoing discussions with Coalition partners in
order to encourage their participation in supporting a PRT in
each province (including Iraqi-led PRTs); however, additional
support is required to engage our Coalition partners to
commit resources to the PRTs. END SUMMARY.


4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests the Department's support
in working with the Coalition capitals to gain these
commitments. Recommended talking points are included in
paras 12-18. When this is done, Post and MNF-I will work
with embassies and Coalition partners to work out the details
of support. END ACTION REQUEST.

--------------
AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN
--------------


5. (C) Post's planning for Muthanna Province was to have an
Iraqi PRT supported by the Italian PRT in Nasariyah (Dhi
Qar). However, the Italians believe they will have their
hands full with Dhi Qar and would welcome another Coalition
partner supporting Muthanna. Post would like the Australians
to host and support a PRT for Muthanna from Talil Air Base
(AB). The location is based on the assumption that a small

group of about 150 Australian soldiers will remain in Talil
AB after the majority of the Australian contingent is
withdrawn to Basrah. Post can make arrangements with
Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) for billeting and messing
of PRT staff at Talil but will look to the Australians to
provide movement security and provide a Deputy Team Leader to
the PRT. The USG would provide an Iraq Provincial Action
Officer (IPAO),Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO)
Provincial Program Manager (PPM),Department of Justice Rule
of Law officer, USAID officer, Team Leader, and Local
Governance Program (LGP) staff. MNC-I could possibly provide
a small (four to six person) Civil Affairs (CA) Operational
Team. This staffing would allow a good start for supporting
Muthanna and allow for a smoother transition to an Iraqi-led
PRT over time. It also would demonstrate strong Coalition
participation in the PRT program.


6. (C) Post recommends pressing the Japanese to provide an
engineering officer to the proposed PRT Muthanna on the
assumption that the Australians and the PRT will be based at
Talil AB. Post also recommends that Japan provide one
individual to the National Coordination Team (NCT) in Embassy
Baghdad to manage Japanese project and loan expenditures. We
believe this will provide the Japanese an excellent
opportunity to continue to monitor their investment in
Muthanna in partnership with the Australians while increasing
Japan's participation in the NCT (which will enable them to
more effectively allocate their remaining assistance funds).

--------------
POLAND
--------------


7. (C) The Polish Ambassador has stated (although it has not
been confirmed by Warsaw) that Poland is willing to support a
PRT in Qadissiya. No agreement has been reached on the size
of that support. Post would like the Poles to provide
billeting and messing at Camp Echo; a Deputy Team Leader; a
civil affairs unit; and movement security support. Post
encourages the Poles to lead the PRT if they so desire. The
USG is prepared to provide a Team Leader (or U.S. co-Deputy
Team Leader if the Poles lead),an IPAO, IRMO PPM, USAID
officer, engineer, and LGP team. Additionally, the PRT
should be prepared to support an Iraqi-led PRT in Qadissiya,
with the Poles supporting personnel dedicated to Wasit

BAGHDAD 00001181 002 OF 004


Province at Camp Echo with billeting, messing, and movement
security.

--------------
EL SALVADOR
--------------


8. (C) We would like to see El Salvador support the PRT in Al
Kut (Wasit). Their current contingent is approximately 350
persons and they are heavily engaged in civil affairs and
reconstruction activities in the province. Presently, force
protection requirements are provided to them by the Polish
Coalition Forces (CF); however, Post understands that the
Salvadorans may welcome opportunities to broaden their
mission. The Salvadorans constitute the majority of the
Coalition presence at Camp Delta in Al Kut. We may want to
consider basing a Coalition-led PRT in Wasit in case the
Poles decide against supporting a PRT in Qadissiya. At a
minimum, we suggest that the Salvadorans provide a Deputy
Team Leader, movement security, and a civil affairs element
for the Wasit province effort from Camp Delta that can be
integrated into the broader effort.

--------------
KOREA
--------------


9. (C) Post hopes that the Koreans will sponsor/host a
Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) in Erbil, which would be
responsible for the Kurdish Provinces of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah,
and Dahuk. Post is asking the Koreans, at a minimum, to
provide an area for housing, RRT work space, Deputy Team
Leader, engineer, civil affairs unit, and movement security
support within Erbil Province. We have encouraged the
Koreans to provide a Team Leader but do not expect them to do
so. If they opt to provide a Team Leader, we would adjust
USG responsibility to have a USG co-Deputy Team Leader
oversee the supporting offices in Sulaymaniyah and Dahuk.
However, the simplest configuration would be a USG Team
Leader with a Korean military deputy for Erbil and another
USG deputy to cover the other two provinces.

--------------
MOLDOVA/SLOVAKIA/MACEDONIA/OTHER
--------------


10. (C) Although we doubt that Moldova, Slovakia, Macedonia,
and other members of the Coalition are willing to commit the
size of force that could support or host a PRT, we can and
should incorporate individual expertise in specific areas to
help round out other PRTs. Functional areas in which we
could use military or civilian expertise on other PRTs
include: engineering officers, civil affairs specialists,
public affairs officers, rule of law specialists,
agricultural specialists, municipal/urban planning
specialists, finance/budgeting specialists, economic
development specialists, private sector development
specialists, tourism specialists (especially in Erbil, Najaf,
and Karbala),and civil administration specialists.

--------------
TURKEY
--------------


11. (C) Post would like the Turks to participate in the PRT
initiative by providing functional experts (military or
civilian) to PRT Baghdad. Due to the extensive nature of
capacity-building demands in Baghdad, the Turks' expertise
and historical familiarity with the culture and business
norms of the Arab world would be particularly beneficial.
Functional areas in which Post could use military or civilian
expertise on PRTs include: engineering officers, civil
affairs specialists, public affairs officers, rule of law
specialists, agricultural specialists, municipal/urban
planners, finance/budgeting specialists, economic development
officers, and private sector development specialists. Due to
Baghdad's size and complexity, civil administration
specialists would be especially valuable.

--------------
Recommended Talking Points:
--------------


12. (SBU) Talking points for the Australians


BAGHDAD 00001181 003 OF 004


-- We request that you support a PRT in Muthanna from Talil
AB by providing movement security support and perhaps a
deputy team leader.

-- The USG is willing to provide several civilian specialists
in addition to military civil affairs personnel to support
the PRT.

-- We are asking the Japanese to provide an engineer to
support this PRT and to ensure continued oversight and
coordination on the Japanese projects in Muthanna.

-- Sufficient facilities exist at Talil AB to support PRT
Muthanna and the Australian contingent.


13. (SBU) Talking points for the Japanese:

-- It is important that you remain engaged on the ground in
Iraq to support the management of its reconstruction
investment there.

-- Provision of a liaison officer to the National
Coordination Team in Baghdad will allow you to establish and
develop relationships with the central government of Iraq and
other donor nations.

-- The Australians are very interested in supporting a PRT
with Japanese representation as they believe that your two
countries have established a solid working relationship in
Iraq.


14. (SBU) Talking points for the Republic of Korea:

-- We invite the RoK to lead the RRT in Erbil based upon its
strong performance in providing economic and job creation
opportunities in Erbil. However, if you are unwilling to lead
a PRT then you are welcome to provide a Deputy Team Leader.

-- We are conscious of the limitations placed upon the your
movement by the Korean National Assembly, which will not
preclude their leadership of the RRT. For travel outside the
immediate area, the American Deputy Team Leader would be
responsible for Dohuk or Sulaymaniyah

-- Current efforts by the Korea International Cooperation
Agency (KOICA) can be integrated into the PRT or remain
separate, depending upon the wishes of the RoK.


15. (SBU) Talking points for Poland:

-- We would welcome the Polish Government leading the PRT in
Qadissiya and providing a civil affairs unit and support for
movement security.

-- If the Polish Government does not wish to lead a PRT, we
would like you to provide a Deputy Team Leader and billeting
and messing for the PRT at Camp Echo.

-- The PRT offers an opportunity to re-mission your forces to
focus more on capacity and economic development in addition
to reconstruction efforts.

-- The USG will provide additional specialists to fill gaps
in capabilities that you may be unable to fill and also will
provide support through the National Coordination Team in our
Baghdad Embassy.


16. (SBU) Talking points for El Salvador:

-- We would welcome your providing support to the PRT in Al
Kut, Wasit. This is a natural extension to your engagement
in civil affairs and reconstruction activities in the
province.

-- In particular we would be interested in your providing a
Deputy Team Leader, movement security, and a civil affairs
element to support engagement in Wasit Province.


17. (SBU) Talking points for Macedonia:

-- We would like to know your interest in participating in
the PRT initiative.

-- We would welcome your providing individual team members to
the PRTs, and you do not need to take on the leadership or

BAGHDAD 00001181 004 OF 004


major support role.


18. (SBU) Talking points for Turkey:

-- We welcome and encourage your participation in the PRT
initiative and your desire to contribute to the security and
stability of Iraq.

-- We would encourage you to consider providing subject
matter experts in civil administration for the Baghdad PRT.

-- We would welcome additional specialists in engineering,
civil affairs, public affairs, and agriculture, if available.
KHALILZAD