FEBRUARY CONFERENCE ON DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000694

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CONEAZ IZ
SUBJECT: FEBRUARY CONFERENCE ON DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQI
KURDISTAN


Classified By: RRT Erbil Leader James Yellin, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

This is an Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT)
cable.


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: RRT Offs attended the First Development
Conference of Sulaimaniyah Province on February 5-6 under the
theme: Decision-making, Responsibility, Transparency, and
Honesty. Numerous committees were formed from members of the
provincial government, the local population, and
non-governmental organizations to brainstorm and report on a
wide range of issues affecting infrastructure, economic
development, and civic society.


2. (SBU) COMMENT: The conference was a modest step by the
Governor of Sulaimaniyah to involve the citizenry and the
private sector in the political process. The event also
served to bolster popular support for the Governor. It
remains to be seen what concrete results will occur if and
when the final conference report is reviewed by the Kurdish
National Assembly. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT.

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ATTENDEES
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3. (SBU) The Governor of Sulaimaniyah, Dana Ahmed Majeed,
presided over the First Development Conference which included
the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG),KRG Minister of Housing and Reconstruction,
KRG Minister of Planning, KRG Parliament members,
Sulaimaniyah Provincial Council members, all 66 Sulaimaniyah
District and Sub-District Mayors, representatives from the
media, the RRT, U.S. Army Civil Affairs 25th ID, and U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. Research Triangle Institute
provided technical and logistical support.

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COMMITTEE FORMATION
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4. (SBU) The Governor appointed working committees that
included 10-12 citizens from various sectors of the economy
to meet and put forth an action plan for his review. All
reports will be consolidated and presented to the Kurdistan
National Assembly for implementation (no date provided). The
following working committees were established: Government
Administration, Provincial Economics, Water, Electricity,
Roads and Reconstruction, Agriculture, Industry, Education,
Traffic and Transportation, Health, Environment, Civil
Society, Women, Tourism, Sport, Youth, Handicaps, Writers and
Artists, Children, and Elderly.

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CONFERENCE WILL HELP GOVERNOR
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5. (C) In a meeting on February 11, the Governor of
Sulaimaniyah told RRT Off the conference reflects his ability
to mobilize popular support. He also stated his expectation
that the event would positively impact his relations with KRG
Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani - a Kurdistan Democratic
Party (KDP) member - and enhance his popularity with sport
and youth groups operating outside the dominant Patriotic
Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Sulaimaniyah Province.


6. (SBU) Dana Ahmed Majeed is a PUK member but does not hold
a position of considerable influence within the party. The
Director Generals of Sulaimaniyah Province in the various
economic and social sectors do not report to him directly but
to the Ministries or agencies in Erbil where the KDP
dominates.
KHALILZAD