MNF-I AND REGIONAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAM MEMBERS

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001045 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID PGOV IZ SUBJECT: MNF-I AND REGIONAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAM MEMBERS MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR OF SULAIMANIYAH This is a Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) Cable. ¶1. (U) RRT Off attended a meeting on March 1 in Sulaimaniyah led by Major General Benjamin Mixon, Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division and Brigadier General Frank Wiercinski, Assistant Division Commander for the US Multi-National Division North in Iraq, with the Governor of Sulaimaniyah, Dana Ahmed Majid. The discussion focused on a wide range of issues including contracting for USG funded projects, border security, and assistance requests. USG CONTRACTING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Governor said his office needs to know which USG funded projects are being carried out and by whom to ensure they are in line with the priorities of Sulaimaniyah Province. Dana Majid would like local contractors to have the opportunity to bid on the projects. The Governor added that contractors based outside Sulaimaniyah Province lack sufficient follow-up maintenance work for the projects. ¶3. (SBU) General Mixon noted the needs of the local government must fit in with the overall USG reconstruction plan in Iraq. He stated the choice of a contractor is based on a technical evaluation including past performance. He emphasized the contractor selection process is a competitive one. ¶4. (SBU) General Wiercinski noted that USG contract solicitation will be open to Sulaimaniyah companies. The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Area Engineer clarified that USG contracts in Sulaimanyiah are processed out of the USACE office of Gulf Region Division North District (GRN) in Tikrit. Wiercinski stated that Sulaimaniyah contractors would henceforth be included on the contractors list. On March 12, the office of the Governor of Sulaimaniyah submitted the names of approved companies registered in Sulaimaniyah for inclusion in the list of eligible contractors. It was accepted by the USACE GRN contracting office. RRT COORDINATION -------------- ¶5. (U) Mixon noted to the Governor the need to rely on coordination with the Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) with regard to USG funded infrastructure projects. This is particularly important as members of the US Army Civil Affairs Team is withdrawing from Sulaimaniyah Province, he said. The Governor expressed his support for the role of RRT in Sulaimaniyah Province. ¶6. (U) RRT Off told MNF-I personnel and the Governor of Sulaimaniyah that the RRT will continue to coordinate with local officials and the US Army Corp of Engineers on USG funded projects after the US Civil Affairs Team departs. RRT Off also noted that the RRT has opened an office in Sulaimaniyah available for liaising with the Department of Defense and for the public to obtain information on RRT programs and USG projects. KHALILZAD