EL SALVADORAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE RECEPTIVE

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001786 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KCRS IZ SUBJECT: EL SALVADORAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE RECEPTIVE TO PARTICIPATION IN PRT INITIATIVE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. At a May 24 meeting with Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO) and Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Speckhard and National Coordination Team (NCT) Director Greg Bates, El Salvadoran Minister of Defense Alejandro Romero indicated El Salvadors continuing interest in supporting a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) based in Al-Kut, provincial capital of Wasit Province, and location of El Salvadors Multi National Force- Iraq troop contingent. Romero, accompanied by the Chairman of the El Salvadoran General Staff and members of the El Salvador National Assembly, said the PRTs focus on enhancing the ability of Iraqi provincial governments to provide local services was as an excellent fit for the humanitarian and reconstruction-oriented focus of the El Salvadoran armed forces mission in Iraq. Romero also indicated that further consultations with the National Assembly in San Salvador would be needed before a final commitment could be made. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) A/DCM and IRMO director Speckhard and NCT Director Bates praised El Salvadors record in Iraq, noting their contributions were particularly well received among Coalition partners and Iraqis in the South Central provinces of Najaf, Babil and Wasit. The PRT program was then briefed to MinDef Romero, Assemblymen Mario Ponce, Ernesto Angulo and Rolando Herrarte, as well as other staff members, focusing on its role as a mechanism for transitioning from military-led to primarily civilian-led coalition reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Specifics of potential El Salvadoran participation were not discussed in detail, however A/DCM and NCT director emphasized that the flexibility of the PRT initiative would allow for r a wide spectrum of El Salvadoran engagement in either support or leadership roles. ¶3. (SBU) MinDef Romero related that the capacity- building and reconstruction focus of the PRTs aligned well with the overall humanitarian mission of El Salvadors armed forces in Iraq. Romero noted that El Salvadoran participation in Iraq had a positive impact on the domestic image of El Salvadors armed forces. ¶4. (SBU) Both A/DCM and MinDef Romero agreed that the upcoming six months are a crucial opportunity in building a stable Iraq with responsive and transparent provincial governments. Upcoming provincial elections, in particular, present an excellent chance to increase engagement with provincial council members, governors, and directors general in Wasit province. According to MinDef Romero and National Assembly member Ernesto Angulo, El Salvadors recent history of conflict and reconstruction highlighted the importance of responsive local governments and the provision of of basic services as a method of supporting peace and stability. MinDef Romero, in closing, indicated that he was extremely interested in continuing El Salvadors participation in the Coalition and PRT effort, and would consult with the National Assembly immediately about doing so. KHALILZAD