NAJAF DEPUTY GOVERNOR PRAISES USG COLLABORATION, SEEKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L HILLAH 000146

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/3/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON IZ
SUBJECT: NAJAF DEPUTY GOVERNOR PRAISES USG COLLABORATION, SEEKS
INVESTMENT, BUSINESS


CLASSIFIED BY: Angus Simmons, Team Leader, PRT Najaf, DOS.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable.


2. (C) SUMMARY: During an October 31, 2007 meeting in Najaf with
PRT Najaf Team Leader, PRT Engineer, and U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers Gulf Region South (GRS) Engineers, the Najaf Deputy
Governor praised the supportive role the USG is playing in
Najaf, while commending GRS for their professional
implementation of reconstruction projects. The Deputy Governor
also expressed his urgent desire to bring U.S. investment and
business to Najaf. END SUMMARY.


3. (C) On October 31, 2007, PRT Najaf Team Leader, PRT Engineer
and GRS Engineers drove from REO Hillah to the Governor's
compound in Najaf, marking the first such ground movement to the
province in approximately one year. At the meeting, Najaf
Deputy Governor Abdul Hussein Baqir Abtan, Islamic Supreme
Council of Iraq (ISCI),expressed his gratitude for USG support
for Najaf in the areas of reconstruction, security, governance
and economic development, and voiced his appreciation for the
respect that U.S. officials have shown the Najaf government.
Abtan noted that "extremists" in Najaf routinely accuse the
provincial government of being pawns of the US. The Deputy
Governor explained that he strives to correct such
misperceptions, explaining to those who will listen that the
Najaf government makes the decisions in the province. He added
that in 2006 in England, he attended a conference on Iraq
reconstruction at which he spoke positively about U.S. support
in Najaf, much to the surprise of the conference attendees.


4. (C) Abtan further commended the manner in which GRS is
managing construction projects in Najaf. GRS Engineers
reiterated that the provincial government and GRS are partners
in reconstruction. The Deputy Governor and GRS Engineers agreed
to work together to ensure that a thorough operation and
maintenance plan is in place for every project prior to handing
it over to Najaf officials.


5. (C) The Deputy Governor expressed his urgent desire to bring
foreign investment and business to Najaf. Acknowledging that
the tenuous security situation in Najaf would make it unlikely
that a foreign company would set up shop in the province, the
Deputy Governor suggested a model of joint ownership where
foreign companies would work through Najaf partners. Abtan said
that during a recent Baghdad meeting, the South Korean
Ambassador to Iraq was encouraging of the Deputy Governor's
strategy; plans are underway, according to Abtan, to organize a
trip for the Deputy Governor and his entourage to South Korea to
meet potential Korean investors. Abtan said he would welcome a
similar opportunity to travel to the U.S. to develop strategic
investment and business relationships.


6. (C) Abtan said that he was committed to making Najaf a model
province in Iraq. His vision includes not only the completion
of the Najaf Airport, but also modern development on the banks
of Lake Najaf (Bahar an-Najaf),an exhibition showground, and
the empowerment of the private sector, among numerous other
activities and projects. Responding to the Team Leader's offer
to arrange a meeting with the U.S. Commercial Minister in Iraq,
the Deputy Governor enthusiastically suggested that the
discussion take place as quickly as possible, preferably by next
week.


7. (C) COMMENT: In previous conversations with PRTOffs, the
Deputy Governor has acknowledged local accusations that his
relationship with the USG suffers because of his Badr Corps
membership and years spent living in Iran. Abtan appears eager
to overcome this perception and build a closer relationship with
the USG. Notwithstanding his background, he is an efficient,
tough, no-nonsense leader. His hard-charging style complements
the urbane and gracious provincial leadership of Governor
Al-Ta'ie, who lived many years in Finland. Thanks in part to
their partnership and leadership, Najaf is well-positioned for
significant economic growth and stability (Note: During the
drive to Najaf and back, the construction and economic activity
in the province was striking.) Armed with the draft of Boeing's
report on the Najaf Airport Project (due to be released to Najaf
next week),Najaf hopes to open the airport in 2008. The active
pursuit of investment and business, both domestic and foreign,
would be a logical complement to the airport lynchpin. It is a
positive development that Deputy Governor Abtan is ready to look
toward developing business ties with Korea and the U.S. and
facilitating a visit by his Najaf delegation to the U.S. could
be al key step towards a more prosperous Najaf with a more
pluralistic internationalist outlook. END COMMENT.

SIMMONS