Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD2020
2007-06-19 11:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

IRAQIS UNDERTAKE SARAFIYA BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION

Tags:  IZ PREL SOCI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9334
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #2020 1701151
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191151Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1768
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002020 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2017
TAGS: IZ PREL SOCI
SUBJECT: IRAQIS UNDERTAKE SARAFIYA BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION


Classified By: ITAO Director Mark Tokola for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002020

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2017
TAGS: IZ PREL SOCI
SUBJECT: IRAQIS UNDERTAKE SARAFIYA BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION


Classified By: ITAO Director Mark Tokola for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: On April 12, 2007, suicide bombers
detonated a truck laden with explosives while driving over
the Sarafiya Bridge. The ensuing blast destroyed the
historic bridge, bringing down the main central spans,
affecting municipal traffic flow and commerce. As important,
the bridge was considered a historic site and symbol of
national pride. Baghdad's residents were demoralized by its
destruction. But, we have been encouraged to see the GoI
independently assuming an active role in pursuit of the
bridge's reconstruction. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Originally constructed by British engineers in the
early 20th century, the Sarafiya bridge was initially
designed as a railroad crossing. It wasn't until the 1980s
that modifications allowed the addition of automobile traffic
flow across the Tigris River. After the terrorist attack in
April 2007, engineers from the Ministry of Construction and
Housing (MoCH) obtained original blue prints from the Iraqi
Railroad (IRR) archives. This greatly expedited
reconstruction efforts by precluding the need for new
architectural designs. Furthermore, GoI officials want the
new bridge be constructed in the mold of the old design in
order to restore a sense of national pride.


3. (C) In the absence of DPM Zoubai, DPM Salih formed a
subcommittee to coordinate the bridge's reconstruction, and
the group initially convened April 22. (NOTE: At the time,
DPM Zoubai was recuperating in Jordan from injuries sustained
during an assassination attempt in March 2007. END NOTE.)
Chaired by DPM Salih, attendees included representatives from
MoCH, Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MIM),and Ministry
of Interior (MoI). The subcommittee agreed MIM would
prefabricate steel structures and MoCH would supervise
installation. In the meantime, a temporary pontoon bridge is
being installed by Iraqi engineers to alleviate traffic
congestion and reinvigorate commerce. It was encouragingly
evident to us that the GoI had assumed the leading role for
the endeavor and considered the bridge a priority in support
of Fardh Al Qanoon (FAQ).


4. (C) Preparation work, including embankment backfilling,
commenced April 25. Portions of the temporary pontoon bridge
began arriving May 10 and expected to be installed by July 1.
Meanwhile, the GoI allocated $23B (ID) to fund the project:
$8B apportioned to MIM and $15B to MoCH.


5. (C) COMMENT: Despite obstacles, all efforts to date to
rebuild the Sarafiya bridge have been autonomously pursued by
the GoI without USG assistance. Although the process has
been cumbersome, and deadlines for the bridge's reopening
undoubtedly will slip, thus far the undertaking has
demonstrated increasing GoI capacity to independently pursue
emergency reconstruction efforts. The Iraqi government's
inter ministerial effort, if successful, may build more than
just a bridge. END COMMENT.
CROCKER