CONTINUED ROK INTEREST IN PROVINCIAL

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000949 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/I E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PREL KS IZ SUBJECT: CONTINUED ROK INTEREST IN PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAMS IN IRAQ ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Korean Ambassador Ki-Ho Chang met with IRMO Director Ambassador Daniel Speckhard on March 19 to gather details regarding USG intentions related to the development of the planned Erbil Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). Chang reiterated Korean interest in the program and relayed that the Korean National Security Council has established a working-level group to study the situation and make recommendations on the way forward. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- NSC Working Level Group Studying PRT Participation -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) IRMO Director Ambassador Speckhard met with Korean Ambassador Ki-Ho Chang at his request on March 19. During this meeting, Chang reiterated his government's interest in the Erbil-based Provincial Reconstruction Team. Chang informed Speckhard that the Korean National Security Council has formed a working group to study ROK participation, and he presented a list of questions from the working group. Initial findings of the working group are supportive pending further study and a site visit to Iraq. ¶3. (SBU) The questions from the working group addressed programmatic and operational support issues. They sought to determine the level of support that could be expected from the USG, particularly related to funding provided by the USG, both to support the PRT and as funding for governance and reconstruction. Their questions also covered security, organizational structure of the team, integration of KOICA activities, and the role of the Zaytun Division. The Koreans are very concerned about the operational costs of the PRT. (Comment: We should anticipate that we will at a minimum be required to provide life support and administrative support for USG personnel assigned to a Korean-sponsored PRT. End Comment.) ¶4. (SBU) Chang was interested in how the offices in Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk would be supported from the Erbil PRT. Because of limitations placed on the Korean military by their National Assembly, the Koreans must limit their activities to Erbil Province. We explained that offices in Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk would be composed primarily of locally employed staff, with support provided by USG personnel assigned to the Erbil PRT and with movement security provided by contracted security forces. -------------- -------------- More CERP for Zaytun Division; a Larger IZ Facility -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) At the conclusion of the discussion on the PRT, Chang made a point of requesting our support in obtaining more CERP funding for the Zaytun Division. We explained that there was $375 million for OIF CERP in the Supplemental request, which should be distributed later this year. Chang also requested support for obtaining a larger facility within the IZ to house the Korean Embassy. ¶6. (SBU) Conclusion. The ROK clearly has an interest in an Erbil-based PRT. However, the level of their commitment in terms of leadership, manpower and funding remains an open issue and one that will only be resolved in our favor with continued engagement in both Washington and in Seoul. Given the importance of showing strong Coalition engagement in Iraq, we believe it is important that the Koreans are seen as leading the PRT, even if the US must provide the bulk of the staff and resources to support the initiative in Erbil. KHALILZAD