Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NEWDELHI2324
2006-04-05 14:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
GOI CAUTIOUS ABOUT IRAQ POLICE TRAINING
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002324
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL KCRM KJUS MARR MOPS PGOV PINR PINS PTER
IZ, IN, JO
SUBJECT: GOI CAUTIOUS ABOUT IRAQ POLICE TRAINING
REF: STATE 050968
NEW DELHI 00002324 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002324
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL KCRM KJUS MARR MOPS PGOV PINR PINS PTER
IZ, IN, JO
SUBJECT: GOI CAUTIOUS ABOUT IRAQ POLICE TRAINING
REF: STATE 050968
NEW DELHI 00002324 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
1. (U) This is an action request for NEA/I. Please see para
8.
2. (C) Summary: In an April 5 meeting with PolCouns and
Poloff, MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf) Sanjay Singh conveyed the
GOI's cautious willingness to increase its involvement in
Iraq's reconstruction. Singh was very interested in our
sense of what is happening on the ground in Iraq regarding
Sunni involvement in the political process and prospects for
government formation. Quietly reaffirming India's interest
in providing assistance to Iraq, Singh said he would pass
along our request for Indian involvement in police training,
and suggested that we raise the issue also at the political
level. Singh asked a number of questions regarding the
police training project that likely will come up in future
conversations with the GOI on this topic. End Summary.
Seeking the Facts
--------------
3. (C) MEA Joint Secretary Sanjay Singh asked PolCouns and
Poloff on April 5 for the US perspective on what is happening
in Iraq because the GOI "does not have the access" the US
enjoys. When asked what he was hearing, he noted that he's
only interested in facts, as "no sensible human being is
going to analyze" the situation in Iraq. Singh was most
interested in when we expect a government to be seated in
Baghdad, noting that New Delhi is poised to relaunch the
bilateral joint commission.
Having Trouble Connecting with Baghdad
--------------
4. (C) Singh reported that the GOI has not had any recent
communications with the Iraqi government. Efforts to plan
meetings have been on hold pending the formation of the
government, according to Singh. For instance, the Oil
Minister was invited to New Delhi, but this also fell
through. An effort to host the Itaqi Chamber of Commerce was
cancelled when the group could not get airline tickets.
Singh confirmed that Ambassador C. Gharekan's travel plans
are on hold, but that he will go to Baghdad once the
government is seated. However, the MEA is continuing its
modest efforts to support the Iraqi government, and is
working on rescheduling a meeting of constitutional experts
in response to a request from Baghdad. The GOI will also
provide petroleum engineering training to 229 Iraqi engineers
who will come to India for 19 programs over the next six
months.
Questions on Police Training Initiative
--------------
5. (C) Singh was guardedly positive about GOI involvement in
police training, but confirmed our sense that the decision to
participate would ultimately be a political one. Singh
raised a number of questions about the logistics of the
training program (REFTEL) that are likely to come up in
NEW DELHI 00002324 002.2 OF 002
future interactions on this topic. He seemed to take on
board that the facility has an international composition, but
wondered what role, if any, the UN is playing in the
US-Jordan joint venture. Singh was also interested in Iraq's
role and sense of ownership in the project. Singh said that
he would pass the USG proposal up through the system and
suggested that we provide a copy to Joint Secretary
(Americas) Jaishankar.
GOI Publicly Careful
--------------
6. (C) Singh was careful not to promise GOI participation
in the police training initiative, but acknowledged that New
Delhi remains committed to assisting in Iraqi reconstruction.
He directed us to the transcripts of question and answer
sessions in parliament to get a sense of current political
perceptions, noting that the government has to be careful.
The parliamentary transcripts reveal the same cautious tone,
with government expressions of support for Iraqi
reconstruction always including references to United Nations
efforts, humanitarian assistance, or training in India. He
averred, however, that India wants a "sovereign, independent,
peaceful Iraq" and said that "we have great hopes" for
economic and energy engagement.
Comment: GOI Needs More Cover to Participate Meaningfully
-------------- --------------
7. (C) Singh's comments suggest that the GOI may be open to
taking part in the police training initiative, but not before
some of its questions are answered. India's experience with
building an effective police force that operates in a
multi-ethnic, multi-religious and terror stricken environment
is certainly relevant to the Iraqi circumstance. Based on
GOI statements for the record, UN involvement in the Jordan
initiative would help New Delhi manage perceptions at home.
We will continue to work with the GOI and expect to engage at
the political level when we can answer the MEA's questions
about the programs logistics.
8. (U) Action Request for NEA/I and INL: We would welcome
answers to Singh's questions in para 3 so we can keep the
dialogue moving. End Action Request.
9. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
MULFORD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL KCRM KJUS MARR MOPS PGOV PINR PINS PTER
IZ, IN, JO
SUBJECT: GOI CAUTIOUS ABOUT IRAQ POLICE TRAINING
REF: STATE 050968
NEW DELHI 00002324 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
1. (U) This is an action request for NEA/I. Please see para
8.
2. (C) Summary: In an April 5 meeting with PolCouns and
Poloff, MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf) Sanjay Singh conveyed the
GOI's cautious willingness to increase its involvement in
Iraq's reconstruction. Singh was very interested in our
sense of what is happening on the ground in Iraq regarding
Sunni involvement in the political process and prospects for
government formation. Quietly reaffirming India's interest
in providing assistance to Iraq, Singh said he would pass
along our request for Indian involvement in police training,
and suggested that we raise the issue also at the political
level. Singh asked a number of questions regarding the
police training project that likely will come up in future
conversations with the GOI on this topic. End Summary.
Seeking the Facts
--------------
3. (C) MEA Joint Secretary Sanjay Singh asked PolCouns and
Poloff on April 5 for the US perspective on what is happening
in Iraq because the GOI "does not have the access" the US
enjoys. When asked what he was hearing, he noted that he's
only interested in facts, as "no sensible human being is
going to analyze" the situation in Iraq. Singh was most
interested in when we expect a government to be seated in
Baghdad, noting that New Delhi is poised to relaunch the
bilateral joint commission.
Having Trouble Connecting with Baghdad
--------------
4. (C) Singh reported that the GOI has not had any recent
communications with the Iraqi government. Efforts to plan
meetings have been on hold pending the formation of the
government, according to Singh. For instance, the Oil
Minister was invited to New Delhi, but this also fell
through. An effort to host the Itaqi Chamber of Commerce was
cancelled when the group could not get airline tickets.
Singh confirmed that Ambassador C. Gharekan's travel plans
are on hold, but that he will go to Baghdad once the
government is seated. However, the MEA is continuing its
modest efforts to support the Iraqi government, and is
working on rescheduling a meeting of constitutional experts
in response to a request from Baghdad. The GOI will also
provide petroleum engineering training to 229 Iraqi engineers
who will come to India for 19 programs over the next six
months.
Questions on Police Training Initiative
--------------
5. (C) Singh was guardedly positive about GOI involvement in
police training, but confirmed our sense that the decision to
participate would ultimately be a political one. Singh
raised a number of questions about the logistics of the
training program (REFTEL) that are likely to come up in
NEW DELHI 00002324 002.2 OF 002
future interactions on this topic. He seemed to take on
board that the facility has an international composition, but
wondered what role, if any, the UN is playing in the
US-Jordan joint venture. Singh was also interested in Iraq's
role and sense of ownership in the project. Singh said that
he would pass the USG proposal up through the system and
suggested that we provide a copy to Joint Secretary
(Americas) Jaishankar.
GOI Publicly Careful
--------------
6. (C) Singh was careful not to promise GOI participation
in the police training initiative, but acknowledged that New
Delhi remains committed to assisting in Iraqi reconstruction.
He directed us to the transcripts of question and answer
sessions in parliament to get a sense of current political
perceptions, noting that the government has to be careful.
The parliamentary transcripts reveal the same cautious tone,
with government expressions of support for Iraqi
reconstruction always including references to United Nations
efforts, humanitarian assistance, or training in India. He
averred, however, that India wants a "sovereign, independent,
peaceful Iraq" and said that "we have great hopes" for
economic and energy engagement.
Comment: GOI Needs More Cover to Participate Meaningfully
-------------- --------------
7. (C) Singh's comments suggest that the GOI may be open to
taking part in the police training initiative, but not before
some of its questions are answered. India's experience with
building an effective police force that operates in a
multi-ethnic, multi-religious and terror stricken environment
is certainly relevant to the Iraqi circumstance. Based on
GOI statements for the record, UN involvement in the Jordan
initiative would help New Delhi manage perceptions at home.
We will continue to work with the GOI and expect to engage at
the political level when we can answer the MEA's questions
about the programs logistics.
8. (U) Action Request for NEA/I and INL: We would welcome
answers to Singh's questions in para 3 so we can keep the
dialogue moving. End Action Request.
9. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
MULFORD