Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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07BAGHDAD2218 | 2007-07-04 18:12:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Baghdad |
1. (C) Summary: At its June 29 meeting, the Baghdad Security Plan (Fardh al Qanoon - FAQ) Executive Steering Committee (ESC) discussed the Government of Iraq (GOI) rewards program for weapons and information, the GOI's commercial dispute with Kuwait that is preventing delivery of fuel, Baghdad's drinking water shortage, the return of displaced families, and the introduction of Dr. Tahssyn as the new civilian spokesman for Fardh al Qanoon. End Summary. 2. (U) Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Zoubai chaired the meeting in place of Prime Minister Maliki. GOI Rewards Program -------------------------- 3. (C) DPM Zoubai, Deputy National Security Adviser Safah, Interior Minister Bolani, and DPM Salih discussed the GOI's rewards program for citizens providing information to Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) about illegal activities, including potential vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) as well as rewards for the turn-in of specific weapons. DPM Zoubai ordered the Interior Ministry to clarify the mechanics for granting rewards. Salih expressed his concern that this issue had been discussed for months without concrete action. Fuel Tanker Dispute with Kuwait -------------------------- 4. (C) Minister of Electricity Karim Walid and BSP ESC Political committee co-chair Hajim al-Hassani discussed their recent trip to Kuwait, during which they discussed with Kuwaiti officials resolution of a commercial dispute that has prevented Kuwaiti tankers from delivering fuel to Baghdad since November 2006. The Kuwaitis are insisting that the GOI pay USD 13 million in back payments for fuel delivered in late 2006. Due to the dispute, over 160 fuel trucks have been quarantined at the Kuwaiti border awaiting this payment. Future contracts for fuel for electrical power plants are currently awaiting resolution of the dispute. Hassani thought the GOI should pay; Interior Minister Bolani and Oil Minister Shahristani disagreed. DPM Zoubai suggested the USG might press Kuwait on this point. 5. (C) Ambassador Crocker pointed out that the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait facilitated GOI meetings on this subject at the highest levels of the Kuwaiti government, but the USG could not take sides on the merits of the commercial dispute. The Ambassador noted that the GOI needs to decide between a quick solution and a protracted legal process. MNF-I Commanding General (CG) Petraeus urged the GOI to quickly pay Kuwait, reminding attendees that the Iraqi people were suffering from lack of GoI payment of a relatively minor amount of money. The CG added that MNF-I would integrate the tankers into MNF-I convoys for security once the agreement for electrical plant fuel is reached. Baghdad Drinking Water Shortage -------------------------- 6. (C) DPM Zoubai noted that lack of electricity to run pumps is affecting Baghdad's drinking water supply and asked for a report. Baghdad Mayor agreed lack of electricity is a problem, and blamed attacks on electrical grid infrastructure. The mayor proposed construction of another electrical line to the Karkh water plant. The mayor also blamed the water shortage on local farmers who illegally tapped water lines out of the Karkh plant, and on fuel shortages that prevent water stations from operating pumps. The mayor said he does not receive his monthly fuel allocation from the Oil Ministry and said he had ordered that fuel be purchased on the black market if necessary. 7. (C) Oil Minister Sharistani replied that both refined product and heavy fuel oil are available at the Bayji refinery, but there was no Iraqi Security Force unit available to escort a fuel convoy to Baghdad. The CG noted that the Energy Fusion Cell (EFC) is the proper venue in which to resolve the problem, including the security aspect. The CG stressed the need for an additional power line to the Karkh water plant and noted the ongoing project to repair the power control station there. Finally, the CG noted that a contract has been awarded to repair water lines going out of the Karkh plant. 8. (C) Governor Tahan raised problems of importing from Jordan chlorine needed to treat drinking water. DPM Zoubai said the process needs to be carefully documented in light of terrorists' recent use of chlorine in VBIEDs. The CG noted that the main failure to secure chlorine is at water plants, not during importation. The CG further noted that the 5500 BAGHDAD 00002218 002 OF 002 Facility Protection Forces on the Amanat payroll should be held accountable to secure the chlorine stocks and water plants or else those personnel authorizations should be given to the MoD. Return of Displaced Families -------------------------- 9. (C) Popular Mobilization committee chair Ahmed Chalabi distributed a paper with nine items he said needed to be achieved before displaced families could return to their residences on Haifa Street. DPM Salih noted that displacements are continuing, including of Christian families from the Doura neighborhood. The CG pointed out that MNF-I has an ongoing operation in Doura and had suffered five killed in action the previous day. In addition, MNF-I is undertaking operations in Baquba and had killed two al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) leaders in Mosul. The CG said that a recent report of 20 headless bodies being discovered by police was false and designed to inflame sectarian tensions. 10. (C) Displacement and Migration Minister Sultan noted that only 246 of 5000 families that had returned had received grants due to returnees. Governor Tahan noted that processing the grants requires signatures from three separate government offices. 11. (C) Chalabi stressed the importance of paying attention to displaced Iraqis who had gone abroad. Minister Sultan said his ministry is in the process of opening offices in neighboring countries. DPM Zoubai decided to form a committee to look into the specifics of returning displaced families to Haifa Street and Sab al Bour. FAQ Civilian Spokesperson Appointed -------------------------- 12. (C) The ESC appointed Tahssyn al-Shaykhali as FAQ's civilian spokesperson. Al-Shaykhali said he would emphasize FAQ's civilian and services aspects in addition to the security aspects. General Abboud complained that FAQ had received little support from the other ESC committees. CROCKER |