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.

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NSC Working Level Group Studying PRT Participation
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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.

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More CERP for Zaytun Division; a Larger IZ Facility
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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