COMMENTS ON POTENTIAL OPIC SUPPORT FOR BALTIMORE

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001387 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EINV IZ SUBJECT: COMMENTS ON POTENTIAL OPIC SUPPORT FOR BALTIMORE DREDGES CONTRACT WITH THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES REF: STATE 46262 ¶1. Post has no information to report on the Iraq Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) that would prevent OPIC support. The MoWR is a national level agency within the Government of Iraq responsible for management of Iraq's ground and surface waters. The Ministry's annual capital investment budget ranges from $200 million to $300 million and is used to fund a wide variety of construction projects as well as procure equipment and materials to support the Ministry's operation of water resources infrastructure. As part of its overall capital investment program, the Ministry has procured dredgers from US-based contractors in the past. Post has no evidence or knowledge that would lead us to believe the Ministry would wrongfully call the performance bond. In addition, Post has no evidence or knowledge that the Ministry has any ties to terrorism, money laundering, corruption or other violations of domestic law. ¶2. Post has no information about the Iraq Development Corporation. CROCKER