IRAQ EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE, NOV 9

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003734

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV ECON MOPS IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE, NOV 9

Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: The return of Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) to Baghdad was the primary topic of conversation at
the 9 November Iraq Executive Steering Committee (IESC)
meeting. The Minister of Displacement and Migration spoke
about the lack of capacity within his ministry to handle the
return of IDPs to Baghdad, especially as improvements in the
security situation have encouraged more people to return to
homes they have fled. Other topics addressed include
congestion on Baghdad's streets, political paralysis at the
Council of Representatives, improvements in rail transport to
Baghdad, and critical bridge repair coordination. End
Summary.

Security improvements make streets safer, but more crowded
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2. (C) Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki began the 9 November
IESC meeting by stating that recent security improvements
brought on by Operation Fardh al-Qanoon (FAQ) have encouraged
many people to return to homes they fled due to violence and
intimidation. He stated that it was critical for the
government to ensure the delivery of essential services to
these returnees in order to make their return permanent. He
also noted that improved security in the city has brought
more congestion to Baghdad's streets and implored the Mayor
and the Governor to work with the Baghdad Operations Command
(BOC) to identify areas where security barriers were no
longer needed and checkpoints could be removed.


3. (C) Mayor Saber al-Esawi agreed that traffic congestion
was a major problem in the city and agreed to coordinate with
the BOC, noting that his office had previously generated a
list of streets ready for barrier removal. He also stated
that the Amanat (city hall) was preparing for an experiment
in working night shifts in several districts, conducting
municipal work from 10:00pm until dawn. General Abud, BOC
Commander, agreed to coordinate with the Amanat on these
initiatives, and stated his willingness to review the status
of checkpoints in the city that could be stood down due to
security improvements.

Improving services key to reconciliation efforts
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4. (C) Former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Chalabi
reported on the activities of his newly-formed Services
Committee, stating that he and GEN Petraeus had recently
visited the communities of Arab Jabour on the outskirts south
of Baghdad in order to assess the needs of this rural area,
where reconciliation efforts have raised expectations that
government-provided services would improve. Dr. Chalabi also
reported on several coordination meetings he held with
various ministry officials, and criticized those who have not
followed up on commitments to provide resources to rural
areas such as Arab Jabour.

IDP returns central issue to Baghdad's future
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5. (C) The issue of IDP returns was identified several times
during the meeting as a critical challenge for the GoI to
face, and as a reason for increased efforts in government
service provision. Dr. Chalabi, General Abud and National
Security Advisor Mufuwak al-Rubeiy each commented on the need
for an effective government policy to facilitate the return
of families who have fled their homes. NSA Rubeiy stated
that IDP returns are both facilitated by, and generate a need
for, improved government services. With the return of
families to Baghdad's neighborhoods, there is a greater need
for the schools, clinics, fuel deliveries and food
distribution systems that those families need to remain in
those neighborhoods. Dr. Chalabi said that roaming bands of
orphans and homeless youths, the result of displacements,
posed a significant threat to Baghdad's future, and the
government must help bring stability to both Baghdad's
neighborhoods and its families. The Prime Minister
emphasized the political element of IDP returns, stating that
returns indicated the failure of those who use forced
displacement as a part of their political agenda.


6. (C) The Minister of Displacement and Migration said flatly
that his ministry was not designed to cope with the current
IDP problem in Iraq and lacked the legislative authority, the
policy guidance and the administrative capacity to provide
support to the thousands of families either displaced within
Iraq, or hoping to return to Iraq from abroad. He stressed
that his ministry currently serves in a critical coordination
role between other ministries with more resources, such as
the Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs, Education, Trade
and Health and with organizations like the Red Crescent, but
he needs a larger budget and more personnel to be more

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effective. The issues raised by the displacement, internal
movement, emigration and immigration of so many families
touch upon nearly every aspect of government services; the
Minister stated that the coordinated effort of the entire
Government of Iraq was needed to provide solutions for these
families. Everyone agreed these issues needed greater
consideration in future meetings.

The national parliament is 'paralyzed'
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7. (C) IESC Political Committee Chairman Dr. Hachem
al-Hassani launched into a criticism of the political parties
at the Council of Representatives (CoR). Dr. Hassani, a CoR
member, stated that political reconciliation in Iraq was
being prevented by the paralysis of the national parliament
and the unwillingness of the political parties to reach
agreement on the crucial issues facing the nation. Dr.
Hassani also warned the about the debilitating effects of
election cycles on politics, stating that 2009 would likely
be a "dead year" for the government, as the parties would be
focused more on their upcoming election fight than on running
the country.

Rail improvements just the ticket for Baghdad
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8. (C) The Minister of Transportation (MoT) provided an
upbeat assessment of rail transport into Baghdad, much to the
pleasure of the Ministers of Oil and Electricity; they depend
heavily upon transportation assets to run their ministries
and improvements in rail provide welcome alternatives to the
pipelines and roadways that they are so dependent upon. The
MoT thanked Coalition assistance for the greater security and
support provided to Iraq's rail transport system.

Mayor praised for mending bridges
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9. (C) Following up on previous IESC discussions on critical
bridge repair in Baghdad, the NSA directed the Mayor to
continue coordination with the Ministry of Water Resources
and the BOC on the repair of the 'pipe bridge' across the
Tigris, one of many bridges serving Baghdad that are in need
of repair. Changes to the river bed over the past thirty
years have forced an alteration to the original plans to
repair the bridge, and coordination is necessary to
de-conflict the various repair designs. The Mayor was
praised by the NSA for the efforts of the Amanat to
reconstruct this key piece of infrastructure.

CROCKER