IESC MEETING APRIL 11

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001206 SIPDIS SBU SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PGOV PINR PINS IZ SUBJECT: IESC MEETING APRIL 11 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. National Security Advisor (NSA) Muwafak al-Rubaie chaired the Iraq Executive Steering Committee (IESC) in support of Operation Fardh al-Qanoon (FAQ) April ¶11. Discussion focused on services and humanitarian assistance to Sadr City. Ministry officials reported ongoing problems traveling through the city and transporting supplies to needy areas, hampering their efforts. An expected report on swimming pools did not occur due to the absence of a representative for the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The Mayor of Baghdad asked that illegal habitation on government properties, something he views as a critical issue for the GOI to tackle, make next week's agenda. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) NSA Rubaie chaired the meeting in Prime Minister Maliki's absence. He reviewed the agenda items for the meeting and said that the PM had made several recommendations regarding the ongoing situation in Sadr City. The PM recommended that the government create a consolidated list of Iraq's "most wanted" in order to publicize the fact that the GOI was not specifically targeting JAM. A rewards program for Sadr City residents who turn in information about these wanted militants, along with a heavy weapons turn-in program, would be part of a unified media message from the GOI confirming their stance against all outlaw militias. ¶3. (SBU) The General Manager of Food Distribution represented the Ministry of Trade (MoT) and reported on the difficulties faced in testing food being offloaded from ships in Basra. (Note: The quality of the products issued by the MoT in the monthly food ration is a recurrent issue that generates great passion at IESC meetings. End Note.) Attendees engaged in a lengthy back-and-forth about whether the residents of Sadr City would receive "double rations" for the month of April, or would merely receive their May ration early. The MoT stood firm on its plan to deliver this 'advance' ration, despite previous comments from the PM directing them to deliver "double rations." ¶4. (SBU) Ahmed Chalabi provided a read-out of his Services Committee's activities and said that his findings indicated that Sadr City is not currently facing a fuel crisis. The Minister of Oil agreed with this assessment. ¶5. (SBU) The Baghdad Provincial Council Chairman reported that the presence of ISF and Coalition forces in some GOI facilities is preventing their operation; he noted some Ministry of Education facilities. General Abud and MNFI DCG LtGen Cooper said that any such problems could be worked out through proper coordination. ¶6. (SBU) The Ministry of Health was not represented at the meeting, but Chalabi gave them kudos for the hard work they have been performing in such difficult circumstances. He said that ambulances are still having a hard time getting through checkpoints, and urged that a letter from the PM to the BOC directing better coordination be re-sent. ¶7. (SBU) As the meeting was about the adjourn, the Mayor of Baghdad City asked that the IESC take a look at the issue that he believes is "ruining" Baghdad ) the extensive amount of illegal habitation on government lots and in government properties. This issue cuts across a number of ministries, and impacts directly on the quality of services provided to residents, making it an essential topic to address at the IESC forum. Mayor Saber said that illegal squatters are costing the GOI "billions of dollars" because they tap into, corrupt and destroy key pieces of infrastructure in the city. The problem is compounded by the fact that corrupt and militia-affiliated officials are forging false deeds and other documents permitting this illegal habitation in on government land. CROCKER