60-DAY ASSESSMENT OF PROVINCIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 000211 SIPDIS INFO MNFIM MNCI//00// SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/I E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PINS ODIP OFDP PREL IZ SUBJECT: 60-DAY ASSESSMENT OF PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAMS REF: 05 BAGHDAD 4045 ¶1. (U) THIS IS A COORDINATED EMBASSY BAGHDAD AND MNF-I CABLE. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The National Coordination Team (NCT) provided AMB Khalilzad and GEN Casey the 60-Day Assessment of the three operational Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) on January 19. From this assessment, it remains clear the PRT concept is a crucial component of both our integrated counter- insurgency strategy and our national capacity building in the provinces; the PRTs add value across the political, economic, and governance lines of operation in Iraq. Mission and MNF-I are prepared to roll out additional PRTs pending resourcing and security manning decisions by the Principals Committee. END SUMMARY. -------------- 60-DAY ASSESSMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) As directed by Ambassador and MNF-I Commanding General (CG) Casey, the NCT developed a 60- day joint assessment of the three proof-of-concept PRTs (Babil, Tamin, Ninawa) and of the PRT initiative overall. (NOTE: Briefing slides sent separately to NEA/I. END NOTE.) The results of this assessment were briefed to Ambassador and CG on January 19. Overall, the initiative is assessed as on-track, with all PRTs functional and engaging provincial authorities. ¶4. (SBU) Operational highlights of the PRT after 60- days include: -- All PRTs are functional and, with few exceptions, fully-staffed. -- Comprehensive work plans have been developed. These plans integrate efforts of USAID, IRMO, DOS, Civil Affairs, and the Local Governance Program, and focus on integration of MNF-I and Mission initiatives in the provinces. -- The PRTs have provided Mission with enhanced weekly reporting and situational awareness of political, economic, rule of law, and infrastructure developments. -- Local offices previously established under Local Governance Program-II have been integrated into PRTs. ¶5. (U) Functional accomplishments of the PRTs after 60-days include: -- In Babil, the PRT developed a joint Iraqi-US 90-day action plan that includes a prioritized list of small, high-impact projects to address constituents' immediate needs. -- In Kirkuk, the PRT assisted the Provincial Council (PC) in developing a solid waste management master plan to resolve critical public and environmental concerns. The PRT also assisted in drafting a local law to transfer authority for weapons permits from Coalition to the PC and for establishing a Missing Persons/Detainees Working Group. -- In Ninawa, the PRT facilitated a human rights assessment of local prisons by the PC. It also assisted the Provincial Reconstruction Development Committee (PRDC) Chairman in developing a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Tal Afar that resulted in an allocation of $37 million from the central government. -------------- ACTIONS -------------- BAGHDAD 00000211 002 OF 003 ¶6. (SBU) As a result of the review, Ambassador and CG agreed on a number of steps to enhance the effectiveness of the existing PRTs: -- To address an immediate need to support engagement by the first three PRTs until a permanent PRT arrangement is decided, additional movement security teams will be provided by MNF-I so that each existing PRT will have two military movement security teams to augment the DOS-contracted personal security detail (PSD) teams currently supporting PRTs. -- Ambassador and CG agreed to cost-sharing provisions by which Mission would take responsibility for logistical support for PRTs located on DOS facilities, and MNF-I would assume responsibility for logistical support of PRTs located on MNC-I facilities. -------------- OUTSTANDING ISSUES -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Acceptance and recognition are still needed from all USG elements that PRTs are central to capacity building at the provincial level and in the counterinsurgency effort. To that end, capable local governments that have the support of their populations significantly diminish anti-GOI activities while supporting the federalist structure defined by the Iraqi constitution. ¶6. (SBU) Adequate movement security remains the largest area of concern for existing and future PRTs. Although the proof-of-concept PRTs have initiated their engagement successfully with the provincial governments and have met with notable success, DOS security restrictions have limited the ability of existing PRTs to interact fully with provincial governments. Mission requires Washington to make a decision on whether dedicated movement security assets will be provided by Coalition forces, contracted private security companies, or a combination of the two. Additionally, Post has asked for clarification on whether specific Washington authorization is needed (vice existing COM authority) to allow COM personnel to travel with non-COM PSD assets (e.g., Corp of Engineers or military contracted civilian PSDs) in order to increase flexibility of integrated PRT staff and to use resources efficiently. ¶7. (SBU) USAID funding for the Local Governance Program (LGP) is the critical component for capacity development. USAID has front-loaded existing LGP funds to stand up the PRTs. If additional funds are not obtained, it is likely that the program will shut down during the third quarter of FY06. ¶8. (SBU) The PRTs need supplemental funding or reallocation of IRRF funds dedicated to each team for reconstruction and development projects developed through the PCs. -------------- COALITION ENGAGEMENT -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Mission has engaged with Coalition partners regarding the PRT initiative and has met with varying degrees of interest from the British, Danes, Salvadorans, Poles, Italians, Koreans, Japanese, and Australians. Mission continues to work closely with the UK regarding their lead on southern PRTs and anticipates a formal proposal from them within the next two weeks. We believe that the Italians and Koreans will step up and assume a major role in PRTs, and we anticipate that others will commit further following a formal USG decision to move forward. -------------- WAY AHEAD -------------- BAGHDAD 00000211 003 OF 003 ¶10. (SBU) The 60-Day Assessment has highlighted the value of PRTs to achieving success in our mission in Iraq. The magnitude of the contribution that the PRT program can make depends upon the continued commitment of resources. The issue of movement security and future funding for the LGP are the critical drivers. Continued staffing of PRTs with quality personnel with requisite skill-sets and dwell-time also is paramount. While these issues are being addressed, we have challenged our team to continue to examine PRT priority and location options that reflect the diverse regional security, Coalition, and battlespace dynamics. KHALILZAD