CHALABI'S PROVISION OF SERVICES COMMITTEE - APRIL 1

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001091 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL IZ REL UK SUBJECT: CHALABI'S PROVISION OF SERVICES COMMITTEE - APRIL 1 ¶1. SUMMARY: Discussion at Dr. Chalabi's April 1 Provision of Services Committee meeting was primarily divided between potable water (for a third straight week),and the fallout from the previous week's fighting in Sadr City. Key topics included an electrical outage at the Karkh Water Treatment Plant, essential service delivery in Sadr City, and Amanat control over ongoing infrastructure projects in Baghdad. The meeting commenced and concluded with a discussion on the importance of solving the water scarcity issue. In addition to Embassy personnel, representatives from the Ministry of Trade (MoT),Baghdad Water Authority (BWA), Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) also attended, along with Deputy Mayor Na'im, and Dr. Falahi. END SUMMARY. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Outage at Karkh Water Treatment Plant - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. Dr. Chalabi began the meeting with a discussion on reports of an outage at the Karkh Water Treatment Plant. According to these reports, Coalition Forces in the area were allegedly digging a hole on the grounds of the plant and cut an 11 kv line providing power to the Plant. The BWA representative then indicated that Coalition Forces should stay off the grounds of the Plant, and always coordinate with Plant management when digging any holes. MG Snyder reported that coordination between the Amanat, U.S. contractors, and Plant Management was adequate during his visit two weeks prior. BG Milano concluded the discussion by affirming U.S. support for the Karkh Water Treatment Plant project, and indicated he would investigate the matter further for next week's meeting. ¶3. Dr. Chalabi used this topic to reiterate the importance of potable water issues in Baghdad, and directed an invitation to the General Manager for the Plant, for next week's meeting. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Essential Service Fallout from Conflict in Sadr City - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. From the Karkh Treatment Plant, Dr. Chalabi next turned to the status of essential services in Sadr City, given recent events in the area. After expressing a desire to tour Sadr City as soon as possible, he then gave a rundown of Ministerial aid, which will include medical supplies from the Ministry of Health, and fuel trucks from the Ministry of Oil. ¶5. Subsequent discussion centered on issues relating to the curfew in Sadr City and outlying areas. According to Deputy Mayor Na'im, Ministerial officials, as well as Amanat employees are unable to come to work due to the curfews, which may be affecting the delivery of essential services in some areas. Dr. Chalabi noted that actions must be taken to alleviate the isolation of some citizens, as the current status will only exacerbate the security situation. Additionally, when citizens attempt to leave certain areas, they face long lines at BOC ID checkpoints, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. ¶6. Discussion on this topic concluded with various calls for humanitarian supplies in the Sadr City and Rusafa districts. Dr. Chalabi mentioned that the Ministry of Health and Red Crescent should take charge of this particular issue. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Control of Water Compact Units in Abu Nawass - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. A very brief discussion again centered on illegal tapping into potable water lines. The BWA representative indicated that these violations resulted in the loss of 15-20% of the output from Karkh Treatment Plant. Chalabi made a distinction between people tapping into the lines to obtain drinking water, which he thought was excusable, and farmers tapping into them to irrigate their fields, which he thought should be prevented. He is interested in finding alternative sources of untreated water for irrigation. ¶8. Dr. Chalabi next turned to the control of Water Compact Unit (WCU) installation within the Baghdad Amanat. Deputy Mayor Na'im indicated that the Amanat is working to connect these units (Note: WCU's were purchased with USG funds. End Note.) to the potable water network, however was waiting on U.S. direction. MG Snyder reported that the Amanat had asked that these projects cease, in order for the Iraqi government to take control of the project. Although the Deputy Mayor briefly claimed these were two separate sets of WCU's, Dr. Chalabi as well as BG Milano agreed that the Amanat should take control over WCU installation. Dr. Chalabi directed a memo to be written on the topic. The Amanat will provide the list of projects, while BG Milano will draft a memo relinquishing USG responsibility over these projects. Butenis