IRAQ PRTS ASSESS PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS - FEB 2006

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BAGHDAD 000797

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON MOPS PREL IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ PRTS ASSESS PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS - FEB 2006


1. (U) INTRODUCTION. The Provincial Reconstruction Teams
(PRTs) in Iraq report monthly the ability of the provincial
level government to function effectively and the obstacles
that prevent full self-governance. The PRTs assess
provincial governments in the areas of governance, economic
development and infrastructure, and the Multi-National
Corps assesses security (which is included in the overall
assessment). Governance includes the governor, provincial
council (PC),director generals (DGs),and rule of law and
transparency. The economic development category measures
finance, banking and business; labor and unemployment;
transportation; and agriculture and food. Infrastructure
incorporates basic needs; capacity of electricity, fuel,
telecom, transportation, and irrigation systems; and
education systems. The sub-categories are broken down even
further to ensure full consideration of the various
functions that fall into the respective categories.


2. (U) PRT members evaluate each area and assign a color to
identify its current status. Considering each sub-category
status, the three main pillars are assigned a color-coded
status and these roll up into the overall evaluation for
the respective PC. Green indicates good progress with no
identified problems, yellow means progress being made with
only minor problems, ORANGE indicates slow progress with
significant problems, and red means very slow progress with
major problems. The following paragraphs summarize the
February 2006 assessments for the PRTs in Ninawa, Kirkuk,
and Babil Provinces. END INTRODUCTION.

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NINAWA PROVINCE
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3. (SBU) OVERALL AND GOVERNANCE. All three main pillars
were rated ORANGE for the Ninawa provincial government for
February 2006, resulting in an overall assessment of
ORANGE. The Governor and his staff continue to perform
their functions satisfactorily. However, the lack of
decentralized authority and resources erodes any real
power. The Governor serves as the voice of the people and
as a sounding board for their issues. District mayors
complain that he is unable to resolve their immediate
problems, which relate to essential services and security.
In order to see progress in the governance assessment,
provincial authorities must obtain resources and legal
authority to execute an essential services master plan for
the province. The Provincial Council (PC) is too dependent
on the Chairman and fails to act as a real policymaking
body. Additionally, its current composition does not
accurately reflect the ethnic and religious makeup of the
province and, as a result, the PC does not effectively
represent the interests of all its constituents.


4. (U) INFRASTRUCTURE. Infrastructure was rated overall
ORANGE with basic needs coded ORANGE, capacity of the
various systems such as electricity, fuel, telecom, etc.,
continued to lag at red; and the education system was
yellow. Local managers within the potable water
directorate are not proactive within their area of
operations, thus limiting the effectiveness of the
directorate outside Mosul. Funding shortfalls have halted
the ability of the solid waste department to collect and
remove debris from Mosul. Solid waste continues to block
storm and sewer systems.


5. (U) Fuel distribution and storage present a significant
limitation to overall capacity. This limitation was even
more obvious in February because of the nationwide fuel
shortage. Ninawa Province generates more electricity than
used, but it is subject to the national distribution
scheme. Transportation infrastructure is inadequate to
support expanded commerce and requires significant national
investment.


6. (U) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Economic development factors
were rated overall ORANGE. The economy of the province is
poor. Unemployment remains a persistent problem and
directly correlates to security and instability issues.
Job creation must be a top priority and growth in
businesses and industry is necessary to drive those jobs.
The national government must invest in this process and
encourage outside investment. Local projects delivering a
short turn around and providing observable improvement will
best assist provincial leaders to serve the interests of
Ninawa citizens. The focus for economic activity in the
province should be small to medium-size business growth
combined with agricultural initiatives.

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TAMIM (KIRKUK) PROVINCE
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7. (U) OVERALL AND GOVERNANCE. Kirkuk was rated overall
ORANGE, as well as the three main pillars. The governance
area was rated ORANGE. The Kirkuk provincial leaders
function on an acceptable level, although ethnic divisions
hinder progress. Among the actions required to move
governance from ORANGE to yellow, the deputy governor needs
to be appointed and effectively working. The PC
performance is improving and moved from ORANGE to yellow in
February. They drafted a charter which is currently in
review. The PC has also begun publishing its meeting
minutes and making them available to the public. To
continue their progress, the PC must become self-policing,
corruption free, and self-sufficient. They must
demonstrate the ability to manage priorities and resources.


8. (U) INFRASTRUCTURE. Infrastructure was rated overall
ORANGE with basic needs coded ORANGE, capacity of the
various systems such as electricity, fuel, telecom, etc.,
coded yellow, the education system was yellow, and civil
service was rated red. The GST-5 Water Storage Project is
expected to greatly increase the potable water supply in
two large Arab Neighborhoods. Thirteen rural water
initiatives are planned for smaller towns. These projects,
and others, will drastically improve the availability of
potable water to Kirkuk residents.



9. (U) Electricity capacity must increase to 10-12 hours
per day from the current average of 4-5 hours per day. To
improve their assessment rating in transportation
infrastructure, more rail networks must be added, as well
as increased airport capacity. There is no commercial
airport in Kirkuk. The Kirkuk Air Base is controlled by
the U.S. military and has only military and USG contracted
civilian flights. The only other airfield in the area is
located on an Iraqi Army Base. To increase the education
infrastructure, more universities are needed or expansion
of the current university to accommodate the province
needs.


10. (U) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Factors affecting the
economic development rating were overall ORANGE. The PC
needs significant assistance in attracting investment and
maximizing opportunities for business development in
manufacturing, petroleum, and agri-business. A campaign to
attract investment, including financial and other
incentives is essential.

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BABIL PROVINCE
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11. (U) OVERALL AND GOVERNANCE. Babil Province was
overall assessed at ORANGE. Governance was yellow, while
infrastructure and economic development were coded ORANGE.
Religious political parties hold significant influence over
the Babil Police Department, reported to be the last
independent police department in south central Iraq. The
Governor and PC hand picked 700 recent police recruits
rather than select from an open recruiting process. The
recruits consisted of 250 DAWA, 250 Badr Corps, and 200
personally appointed by the Babil Governor. To help
increase the governance assessment rating, police recruits
should go through the normal vetting process in order to
ensure they are screened properly and qualified. Continued
selection by the Governor or other official implies that
the government is picking loyalists rather than the best
qualified candidates.


12. (U) It appears that the PC is becoming more effective
in the political process and decision-making. Projects are
being carefully prioritized. The Director Generals and
other leadership are working together to improve their
communities. The Babil provincial leaders need to strive
towards strong leadership with little tolerance for
corruption or intimidation. The legislative government
needs to improve its management information system and
strategic project planning capabilities.


13. (U) INFRASTRUCTURE. The overall infrastructure
assessment for Babil Province was rated ORANGE. To improve
the basic needs infrastructure rating, Babil Province needs
to sustain projects that improve water irrigation and water
systems. Additionally, pipes that are encrusted with
asbestos, high volumes of chlorine, and water-borne
diseases should be replaced. The Minister of Health needs
to incorporate plans and coordinate with the Director of

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Health in Al Hillah to improve the hospital situation.
Currently, hospitals can only barely handle major
catastrophic events for a very limited time, not for any
sustained catastrophic issues. The hospitals need to be
better equipped with the appropriate tools and personnel to
handle large scale issues. Expansion and more hospitals
are needed in rural areas to relieve overcrowding.


14. (U) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. The economic development
category was rated overall ORANGE. As an agrarian society
that relies heavily on the success of the agriculture
industry, the economic stability of Babil province can be
improved by ensuring fertilizer is available to improve the
crops. It is important that the government provide yearly
aerial spraying and that farm equipment can be easily
replaced or repaired.

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TABLE SUMMARIZATION
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15. (U) The following table summarizes, by province, the
assessment report in governance, economic development,
infrastructure, and security which all contribute to the
overall assessment.

NINAWA PROVINCE:
Overall Assessment ORANGE
Governance Overall ORANGE
--Governor's Office ORANGE
--Provincial Council ORANGE
--Director's General ORANGE
--Rule of Law and Transparency ORANGE
Economic Development Overall ORANGE
--Finance/Banking/Business ORANGE
--Labor and Unemployment ORANGE
--Transportation ORANGE
--Agriculture/Food ORANGE
Infrastructure Overall ORANGE
--Basic Needs ORANGE
--Economic Infrastructure Red
--Education Yellow
Security Not Reported

TAMIM (KIRKUK) PROVINCE:
Overall Assessment ORANGE
Governance Overall ORANGE
--Governor's Office ORANGE
--Provincial Council Yellow
--Director's General ORANGE
--Rule of Law and Transparency ORANGE
Economic Development Overall ORANGE
--Finance/Banking/Business Red
--Labor and Unemployment ORANGE
--Transportation ORANGE
--Agriculture/Food ORANGE
Infrastructure Overall ORANGE
--Basic Needs ORANGE
--Economic Infrastructure ORANGE
--Education Yellow
Security Overall ORANGE
--Capable Iraqi Army ORANGE
--Capable IPS ORANGE
--Detention Red
--PJCC Green
--PSC Green

BABIL PROVINCE:
Overall Assessment ORANGE
Governance Overall Yellow
--Governor's Office Yellow
--Provincial Council Yellow
--Director's General ORANGE
--Rule of Law and Transparency Yellow
Economic Development Overall ORANGE
--Finance/Banking/Business ORANGE
--Labor and Unemployment ORANGE
--Transportation Not Assessed
--Agriculture/Food Yellow
Infrastructure Overall ORANGE
--Basic Needs ORANGE
--Economic Infrastructure ORANGE
--Education ORANGE
Security Overall ORANGE
--Capable Iraqi Army ORANGE
--Capable IPS Yellow
--Detention ORANGE
--PJCC Red
--PSC Yellow


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16. (U) SUMMARY: The assessment is performed each month by
the PRTs and evaluates information existing at the time.
In some cases, the PRT members do not have sufficient data
to make a fair evaluation without further research. The
rating is aimed at identifying areas that need improvement
to pursue the provincial path to self-sufficiency. It
serves as a roadmap for future PRT training efforts, as
well as a measurement of progress made. The items cited in
the above paragraphs are not totally inclusive, but rather
a sampling of the actions necessary for further progress.
END SUMMARY.

KHALILZAD