NINEWA PRT: MOSUL UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS INTERESTED IN WORKING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSUL 000052 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/22/2016 TAGS: PREL PINS PINT PGOV PHUM IZ MARR SUBJECT: NINEWA PRT: MOSUL UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH THE USG, BUT FEARFUL OF TERRORISTS MOSUL 00000052 001.2 OF 002 CLASSIFIED BY: Jerome P. Hohman, IPAO, Provincial Reconstruction Team Ninewa, State. REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d) -------------- SUMMARY AND COMMENT -------------- ¶1. (C) Dean of the University of Mosul Medical School, Dr. Nazar Qibi, says he is interested in working with PRT Ninewa on projects to benefit the people of the province, but is terrified that any association with the USG or Coalition Forces (CF) might lead to injury or death for himself and his family. He believes that anti-U.S. informants are closely watching University faculty and students and that any overt contact with CF will be reported. Qibi says he will work with the PRT through email and will meet, if necessary, only outside Ninewa. Such stipulations seriously hamper PRT efforts to work with the university, but we are seeking solutions to collaborate while being mindful of any security ramifications to the university and its staff. End Summary and Comment. ¶2. (SBU) PolOff met with Dr. Nazar Qibi, Dean of the Ninewa College of Medicine at the University of Mosul, and his colleague, Dr. Fouad Kasim Mohammad, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, at a conference of university officials at the University of Salahaddin in Irbil on May 21. Also in attendance were representatives from the Universities of Dohuk, Kirkuk, Koya, Salahaddin and Sulaymaniya as well as representatives from the University of Hawaii, USAID (Irbil), Kirkuk PRT and the office of the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq. -------------- TENUOUS SECURITY SITUATION AT MOSUL-U -------------- ¶3. (C) Members of northern Iraq universities and USG reps met on May 21 to explore ways the various universities might collaborate on research projects of joint interest. Ninewa PRT USAID representative facilitated the meeting and invited PolOff to attend as a way to initiate access to representatives of the University of Mosul. Over the past few months, the PRT has made repeated efforts to meet with and obtain the cooperation of various faculties of the University of Mosul to seek assistance in development and reconstruction efforts in the province. While University of Mosul officials present at the meeting expressed an interest in helping improve conditions in Ninewa, they have steadfastly refused to meet with the PRT in Mosul or to be seen cooperating in any way with Americans. Mosul University personnel have informed PRT representatives of significantly increased levels of violence and threats of violence against faculty and their families if they are suspected of helping the "occupiers." Indeed, Dr. Qibi and Dr. Mohammed both expressed concern about the number of photographs taken at the Irbil conference by the University of Salahaddin, fearing the photos might show them with American civilian and military personnel and put them at risk once they return to Mosul. ¶4. (C) Qibi, who was educated in the U.K., spoke at length with PolOff about the increasing number of medical doctors migrating from Ninewa due to growing threats of violence against them and their families (septel). He informed PolOff that a number of doctors had been killed recently in the Mosul area and that many more had immigrated with their families to Jordan, Kuwait, Europe or America for safety. Qibi was particularly disturbed that the migrating doctors were leaders in their fields of specialization and, as a result, the quality of medical care available in Ninewa was declining. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) Notwithstanding the risks, both Qibi and Mohammed agreed to open communications with the PRT via email. They say they want to look for ways to work with the PRT to make their expertise and that of their University of Mosul colleagues available to assist in joint efforts to improve the economic and living conditions in Ninewa. They claim they are willing to consider further meetings but only outside of Ninewa. The PRT, and the REO before that, has been working with the University of Mosul for some time, albeit unsuccessfully because of the security situation on campus. We hope that this engagement will MOSUL 00000052 002.2 OF 002 be the first step towards a more fruitful collaboration. GRANT