Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD94
2007-01-10 19:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

PM'S CHIEF OF STAFF SUPPORTS JOINT ECONOMIC

Tags:  ECON PGOV IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4689
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0094 0101935
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 101935Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9004
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000094 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: PM'S CHIEF OF STAFF SUPPORTS JOINT ECONOMIC
TRANSITION PLAN

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000094

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: PM'S CHIEF OF STAFF SUPPORTS JOINT ECONOMIC
TRANSITION PLAN

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: The Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, Dr.
Tariq Abdullah, said he was happy with the overall Joint
Economic Transition Plan in a meeting with the Deputy Chief
of Mission on January 10. While agreeing with the general
framework and broad estimates, Dr. Tariq said that further
discussion was necessary to determine the exact dollar
amounts of the Iraqi commitments. He also underscored the
political sensitivities in Iraq about 'rewarding' Baghdad and
Anbar for being dangerous areas. End Summary.

-------------- -
Generally Supportive, Details to be Determined
-------------- -


2. (C) Dr. Tariq liked the broad concept of the Joint Plan,
and said that the general estimates seemed reasonable. He
thought that the detailed numbers, such as the percentage of
ministerial budgets planned for Baghdad and Anbar, were
roughly reasonable, but they required further discussion, and
a finalized Iraqi budget. Some of the estimates, like the 15
percent used to estimate the disbursement of program funds by
April 1st, he considered too low. "That would be correct
based on our past experience," he said, "but we need to do
better this year."


3. (C) He also confirmed that the Housing Initiative is
moving forward, and said that 500,000 pieces of government
land throughout the country have been prepared for
distribution. When asked why there was no line item for the
program in the budget, he said that the funding is included
within allocations in related ministries. He noted the
importance of the program to the people in Iraq. (Note:
Minister of Finance has told us that the Housing Initiative
is not funded, however Dr. Tariq's comments reflect the PM's
continued commitment to the initiative. End Note.)

--------------
The Iraqi Reaction: Why Reward Insurgents?
--------------


4. (C) While Dr. Tariq clearly gave his overall approval, he
also highlighted the political sensitivity in Iraq regarding
the presentation of the plan's focus on Baghdad and Anbar.
"Many other areas in Iraq are worse, in terms of available
services, after years of neglect by Saddam than these
places," he said, "and part of the problem in Anbar is that
the insurgents prevent development from happening." The DCM
explained the importance of doing everything within our power
to support the security efforts in Baghdad and Anbar. "You
know the American mind better than I do," Dr. Tariq said,
"but if I were American I still wouldn't want to give more
money to places that have killed more Americans."


5. (C) Dr. Tariq said that this issue had come up in his
discussions over the past few days with other Iraqi officials
about the proposal. He feels that it rewards insurgents, and
encourages people in other areas to cause problems, as a way
to attract attention and resources. The DCM highlighted again
that the overall plan was a national plan, and said that the
presentation's emphasis on Baghdad and Anbar responded to the
interests in highlighting the compliment to the military
surge.

--------------
Comment
--------------


6. (C) Dr. Tariq's approval allows for the use of the
overall concept and the broad figures in a public discussion
of the Joint Economic Transition Plan. He clearly understood
that this presentation would be the basis for media outreach
in the United States. The emphasis, in the presentation, on
resources for Baghdad and Anbar is politically very sensitive
among Iraqis, and Dr. Tariq's reservations are not
surprising. To the extent possible, within Iraq we should
underscore the national character of the Joint Economic
Transition Plan.
KHALILZAD