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