25MAY07 IRAQI EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTE MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001774 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2017 TAGS: ECON IZ PGOV PHUM SUBJECT: 25MAY07 IRAQI EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTE MEETING Classified By: Ambassador Carney per 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On May 25 Deputy Prime Minister Zoubai chaired the weekly Iraq-Executive Steering Committee (I-ESC) meeting to discuss progress of supporting committees and their achievements over the last week in implementing Fardh Al-Qanoon (FAQ) initiatives and requirements. The meeting format has changed to create more focused discussions that result in positive actions and decisions. Topics included the status of solar street lighting in Baghdad; discussion of appointing a civilian spokesman for FAQ; an update on compensation payments for IDPs; and a review of progress rebuilding Mutannabi Street. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In the PM's absence, DPM Zoubai chaired a reworked I-ESC that focused on four issues for decision and limited attendance to those with a role in the agenda items and Coalition partners. DPM Zoubai opened the meeting noting that American Democrats and Republicans have agreed, a clear reference to the Supplemental, and that Iraqis need to read between the lines very carefully, that time is very critical with a need for results so that sacrifices can be turned into results rather than wasted. ¶3. (C) National Security Advisor, Mowaffuk Rubaie, detailed changes to the meeting structure, observing that the meeting is not just for complaint and opinion, but rather to focus on the goal of support for the Commander of FAQ. (Comment: Previous meetings offered opportunities for each sub-committee (security, political, economic, services, popular mobilization, and media) chairman to discuss accomplishments over the last week and highlight areas that need improvement. This "open ended" agenda deteriorated into an unstructured set of discussions without the development of specific action items. End Comment). Dr. Mowaffuk suggested two primary changes to enhance the overall effectiveness of the I-ESC: limit attendance to only the principal individuals necessary to make decisions; and limit discussion to only 2-3 primary topics, and ensure that decisions are made in the meeting to bring problems to resolution. ¶4. (C) Extensive discussion of solar street lighting included recognition of a pilot MNF-I program and focus on the Minister of Electricity's announcement he has contracted for 5,000 solar lights due for delivery between September and 
October. The Head of Baghdad's Provincial Council and the Governor of Baghdad noted the possibility of the City's contracting to have solar street lamps made. DPM Zoubai announced the decision that the Baghdad governorate would assist the Ministry of Electricity to supply solar street lighting to the capital. ¶5. (C) Attendees agreed on the need to name a civilian spokesman to work together with Brigadier Qassim, the military spokesman for FAQ. DPM Zoubai recalled the goal is to show what matters is not simply security, but also goods and services. Ahmed Chalabi nominated a Professor Tassin (about whom we currently know nothing more). We understand that Dr. Mowaffuk's chief I-ESC staffer, Ali Abdel A'ziz Merzah, a Sadrist who has worked closely with the US in the past, has also put his name in play. DPM Zoubai called for three names to be presented to the I-ESC at the next meeting for decision. He noted the need to have someone "far from politics so that the Iraqi street accepts him." ¶6. (C) Dr. Mowaffuk took the next agenda item, asking the Governor of Baghdad if he has received money from the Ministry of Finance to fund the PM's promised one million dinars for those displaced families that have returned to Baghdad. The Governor of Baghdad said that after considerable contact effort, the Finance Ministry promised the money would be in his account on 27 May. Extensive discussion over the process of determining who is displaced and how to organize payment included note that a Committee has existed for the past month, delayed due to bureaucracy. The Governor declared with some asperity that mechanisms are not the problem; delay in releasing the funds is the issue. The National Security Advisor concluded that the need is to follow-up with the Finance Minister himself if money is not in the Governorate's account on 27 May. ¶7. (C) Although neither DPM Barham Salih, the Culture Minister nor the Minister of Housing and Construction were present, DPM Zoubai opened discussion of rehabilitation of bomb-damaged Mutannabi St. DPM Zoubai indicated that three designs are currently being reviewed and a final design is expected to be selected next week. The Baghdad Commander, General Abboud, noted the need to take security aspects into account. A Barham Salih staffer explained in detail the process of design, engagement of stakeholders, including security, and essentially displayed a sufficient command of the matter to still debate. DPM Zoubai agreed to convene a meeting in his office next week to discuss funding for this BAGHDAD 00001774 002 OF 002 project and ensure that the appropriate amounts are available. Construction is expected to begin by early July. ¶8. (C) Suggested topics for next week included follow-up on the award for returned families; some resistance to Ahmed Chalabi's vague suggestion to talk about the displaced; naming a civilian spokesman; looking into fuel and power issues, including a ration card for fuels. Comment: Much more focused than previous sessions, this meeting begins an effort to track decisions more regularly. We expect further refinements to make this new institution more effective. CROCKER