EMBASSY DAMASCUS PROPOSALS FOR OUTREACH TO IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000700 SIPDIS SIPDIS PRM/FO, PRM/ANE, AMMAN FOR GREEN, JERUSALEM FOR BROOKS-RUBIN, NEA/ELA FOR WILLIAMS AND SONTY, E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2017 TAGS: PREF SY SUBJECT: EMBASSY DAMASCUS PROPOSALS FOR OUTREACH TO IRAQ COMMUNITY Classified By: Charg d'Affaires Michael H. Corbin for reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 7. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: While PRM and the Department direct assistance for the up to 1.4 million Iraqis in Syria through the U.N. and international organizations, Post sees potential to explore and create additional, albeit modest, opportunities locally for assistance from within Syria through non-SARG channels. Part of this will depend on Washington's ability to support such efforts financially, while the other part will hinge on human resources here both inside and outside the Embassy. We envision our efforts as being focused in four principal areas: exploring avenues for additional assistance, identifying projects, delivery, and follow up. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) AVENUES FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE: The Iraqi refugee crisis has long loomed large in Syria, but up until recently the response has been constrained by the regime's efforts to monitor and control international organizations, the scarcity of international and non-governmental organizations in Syria, and by the enormity of the assistance needed. While PRM and the Department direct assistance for the up to 1.4 million Iraqis in Syria via international organizations and well-known non-governmental organizations, Post sees potential to explore and create additional, albeit modest, opportunities locally for assistance from within Syria through non-SARG channels. ¶4. (C) The Embassy would reach out to a variety of contacts to pursue implementation partners. We propose, for example: -- Charg already meets with the Iraqi Charg to discuss Iraqi refugee issues. Charg could press his Iraqi counterpart for suggestions by the Iraqi Embassy of some unfunded Iraqi proposals. (Note: In a June 13 meeting with PRM/ANE Office Director, Iraqi Charg Hassan Sawedi Abdul al-Aziz noted that he had sent proposals to Baghdad on ways to assist the local Iraqi population, particularly the children who suffer from poor living conditions and a lack of education opportunities. He was not optimistic that he would receive the go ahead. End Note.) If funding can be directed through the U.S. Embassy in coordination with the Iraqi Embassy here, we might be able to use some local Iraqi Embassy networks, which are perhaps also less likely to be hampered by the SARG. -- Department might ask Embassy Baghdad to look into the likelihood that Iraqi citizens with an NGO background have fled to Syria and could possibly assist in project development and implementation. This of course would have to be done in a low-profile manner since the SARG requires that all foreign organizations operating here be licensed. However, such contacts might be able to receive funding through their organizations in Iraq. Alternately, contacts might be able to develop burgeoning community groups already existent here as conduits for direct assistance through Embassy Damascus. -- Pursuing alternate ways of channeling assistance locally. Given the size and diversity of the Iraqi community in Syria, we would seek to investigate the hypothesis that Syria-based Iraqi community groups are developing locally. We would seek to identify such community groups through meetings with local and international non-governmental organizations, church groups and mosques and Iraqi political representatives based in Syria and then direct assistance through them. ¶5. (C) PROJECT PROPOSALS: With funding and partners, Post believes that there are a number of small-scale projects that could positively influence the lives of an admittedly small percentage of Iraqi refugees but that have a potential multiplier effect to galvanize other embassies and funding sources to conduct similar projects. For example, Embassy Damascus has received a grant proposal from the International Orthodox Christian Charities group, which is seeking USD 20,000 to assist at least 700 highly vulnerable Iraqis through distribution of non-food items, vocational training, one-time medical assistance, and the donation of a computer to an organization that assists Iraqi refugees. Post also envisions projects that might include Internet training for Iraqi youths, English-language training for Iraqi teachers, the distribution of Arabic-language books for Iraqi children, and assisting the Iraqi Embassy with initiatives such as the creation of an Iraqi community center. Other possibilities include the provision of scholarships to Iraqi students for formal and vocational education and English language training at local private-sector language centers. ¶6. (C) Given the limited personnel resources at Post and the security constraints that prevent the expansion of staff, Post would focus on the most promising projects first, expanding on our initial efforts depending on outcomes. We would also share experiences with other diplomatic missions in Damascus in an effort to encourage similar efforts from the wider international community. ¶7. (C) Action Request: Post seeks Department's reaction to Post pursuing small projects through NGOs, the Iraqi Embassy in Damascus, or Iraqi individuals/networks among the refugee population here. Among the issues Post believes need to be addressed: -- What funds could be tapped for this purpose and how can they be passed through Embassy Damascus? -- If funds could be passed through Embassy Damascus, given the low-profile, semi-formal nature of the organizations and networks that we would seek to support, what--taking into account the personnel constraints at Post--would be the required amount of controls, evaluation and monitoring required of the Embassy with regard to USG funds? -- Can money be given to the Iraqi Embassy here to support appropriate projects for Iraqi refugees (or could funds going to Baghdad be delivered through the Iraqi Embassy here rather than in Baghdad)? CORBIN