Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD1531
2007-05-08 16:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
MINISTER OF PLANNING SAYS BUDGET EXECUTION IS
how-toVZCZCXRO9089 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1531 1281632 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 081632Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1070 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001531
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2017
TAGS: ECON EFIN IZ
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF PLANNING SAYS BUDGET EXECUTION IS
IMPROVING, SLOWLY
Classified By: Economic Minister-Counselor Daniel Weygandt for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001531
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2017
TAGS: ECON EFIN IZ
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF PLANNING SAYS BUDGET EXECUTION IS
IMPROVING, SLOWLY
Classified By: Economic Minister-Counselor Daniel Weygandt for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In a May 7 meeting with Coordinator of the Economic
Transition Ambassador Carney, Minister of Planning and
Development Cooperation (MoPDC) Ali Baban said that slow
budget execution is a systemic, government-wide problem,
although MoPDC data indicates that it is improving compared
to 2006. He noted that reviewing contracts with the High
Contracting Committee was very time-consuming and yet still
not providing sufficient oversight over spending units.
Minister Baban indicated interest in the 607 contracting
mechanism, and requested further details on how the mechanism
would work.
2. (C) Ambassador Carney noted that IRMO/ITAO will be
augmenting Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih's staff
dedicated to improving budget execution with four experts.
He also highlighted the need for roving 'Tiger Teams' to
provide technical assistance to the provinces. Minister
Baban said he was grateful for the help, and that the MoPDC
already sends people out to assist provincial officials,
whose expertise he described as "very limited".
3. (C) Minister Baban described his response to the
International Compact with Iraq launch in Sharm el-Sheikh on
May 3. He considers a national compact much more important
than an international one, and thinks that the former should
have been developed before the latter was endorsed. Minister
Baban is also concerned about the list of commitments made by
Iraq in the Compact, saying that the "first commitment of the
Iraqi government should be to the Iraqi people". "I wanted
to share these views during the launch meeting," Minister
Baban said, "but Prime Minister Maliki asked me not to
embarrass the Iraqi government, and I respect his position."
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2017
TAGS: ECON EFIN IZ
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF PLANNING SAYS BUDGET EXECUTION IS
IMPROVING, SLOWLY
Classified By: Economic Minister-Counselor Daniel Weygandt for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In a May 7 meeting with Coordinator of the Economic
Transition Ambassador Carney, Minister of Planning and
Development Cooperation (MoPDC) Ali Baban said that slow
budget execution is a systemic, government-wide problem,
although MoPDC data indicates that it is improving compared
to 2006. He noted that reviewing contracts with the High
Contracting Committee was very time-consuming and yet still
not providing sufficient oversight over spending units.
Minister Baban indicated interest in the 607 contracting
mechanism, and requested further details on how the mechanism
would work.
2. (C) Ambassador Carney noted that IRMO/ITAO will be
augmenting Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih's staff
dedicated to improving budget execution with four experts.
He also highlighted the need for roving 'Tiger Teams' to
provide technical assistance to the provinces. Minister
Baban said he was grateful for the help, and that the MoPDC
already sends people out to assist provincial officials,
whose expertise he described as "very limited".
3. (C) Minister Baban described his response to the
International Compact with Iraq launch in Sharm el-Sheikh on
May 3. He considers a national compact much more important
than an international one, and thinks that the former should
have been developed before the latter was endorsed. Minister
Baban is also concerned about the list of commitments made by
Iraq in the Compact, saying that the "first commitment of the
Iraqi government should be to the Iraqi people". "I wanted
to share these views during the launch meeting," Minister
Baban said, "but Prime Minister Maliki asked me not to
embarrass the Iraqi government, and I respect his position."
SPECKHARD