CHALABI'S PROVISION OF SERVICES COMMITTEE - APRIL 15

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001245 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL IZ REL UK SUBJECT: CHALABI'S PROVISION OF SERVICES COMMITTEE - APRIL 15 ¶1. SUMMARY: At the April 15 Provision of Services Committee a large portion of time was dedicated to service delivery in Sadr City. The Deputy Minister of Transportation attended and provided a report to the committee on civil aviation in Iraq. Again, water was on the agenda with the Ministry of Water Resources in attendance for the first time. The Baghdad Water Authority, a division of the Amanat, as well as the Director of the Karkh Water Treatment Plant were also there to discuss water. END SUMMARY. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Civil Aviation: Report from Ministry of Transportation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. Following up with last week's discussion, the Ministry of Transportation (MoTrans) prepared a report that detailed issues and concerns with Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) specifically, and civil aviation in Iraq, generally. According to the report, BIAP is burdened with an abundance of contractors and Government of Iraq (GoI) presence. The report suggests that contracts be re-bid and include billeting for the contractors outside of the terminal. The report also noted that there were too many Government of Iraq ministries with office space at the airport. The committee suggested that the ministries coordinate with the MoTrans when special guests or government officials are transiting through BIAP in lieu of maintaining office space. The MoTrans stated that this space could instead be used for needed passport, customs and health offices. Dr. Chalabi will send a memo to all ministries and organizations with office space at BIAP, requesting them to reduce their presence. Dr. Chalabi encouraged the MoTrans to lease the space for additional revenues. However, Chalabi again reminded the ministry that they could not keep their revenues, but if they needed more money they should see the Ministry of Finance (MoF). ¶3. In addition, the Deputy Minister of Transportation complained that the Ministry of Interior (MoI),Iraq's police, are crowding passenger areas. The MoI did send a representative to the meeting who responded - "coordinate with us (MoI) and we will work to accommodate your needs". MoTrans underscored the necessity of MoI's presence under extraordinary circumstances, but civil aviation is now ready to be controlled by the Ministry of Transportation. The Provision of Services Committee will draft a memo to that effect and emphasize that civil aviation should meet international standards. ¶4. MoTrans also sought better coordination with the Amanat and funding for two airports. (Note: It is unclear whether the funding is for new airports or for the rehabilitation of existing airports. End Note) General Snyder followed up with MoTrans request to control the hangers at BIAP. He commented that the U.S. Mission and Multi-National Force is keenly aware of the new planes purchased by the GoI. A short term accommodation for their maintenance is being discussed by GOI/USG while a longer term arrangement will likely take until early 2009. - - - - - - - - - - - Services to Sadr City - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. Dr. Chalabi again highlighted that 50% of all Baghdadis are currently under a curfew and those people are becoming increasingly frustrated. According to Dr. Chalabi, many of the locals fear that Sadr City will be segregated by the addition of new security walls. He said that there is no systematic way to reach out to the locals to address these misunderstandings. Chalabi also claimed that several militias have U.S. weapons. ¶6. The Ministry of Electricity (MoE) immediately followed with a more optimistic tone, noting that the substation in Sadr City referenced at last week's meeting is now working. The Deputy Minister of Electricity commented that entrance into Sadr city remained problematic. He also said sectors 1 through 10 were difficult to survey due to ongoing violence. Dr. Chalabi will send a memo to the Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) to ease transit requirements for the MoE. Dr. Chalabi also called upon Multi National Division - Baghdad (MND-B) to provide security to MoE's employees in Sadr City. ¶7. The Ministry of Trade (MoT) also reported good news - the empty warehouses in Sadr City were not due to corruption or theft, but were empty because the rations had already been distributed. Unfortunately, the Deputy Minister reported that a warehouse in Sadr City for the Hurriyah area was under militia control which has prevented Hurriyah from receiving their fare share of rations. ¶8. The Deputy Minister said that 17,000 bags of flour have been delivered to Sadr City. 123 trucks of cooking oil bound for Sadr City is held up in Abu Ghraib by the Muthanna Brigade. Dr. Chalabi asked the Deputy Minister of Defense to order the brigade to allow these trucks to pass. (Note: The Deputy Minister immediately excused himself from the room to place the call. After returning, he did not offer any updates. End Note) The Deputy Minister of Trade provided a list of May ration items that will be problematic to deliver to Sadr City because of stock shortages and/or transportation complications. Among them was milk, beans, rice, flour and soap. Dr. Chalabi tasked BAGHDAD 00001245 002 OF 002 his staff to coordinate with the MoT regarding the times, dates, number of trucks and contents for delivery to Sadr City. This information will in turn be shared with the BOC to minimize checkpoint delays. Chalabi emphasized that transportation, not distribution, is the issue. ¶9. The Ministry of Trade also complained that their representative to the BOC was ignored by them. Deputy Minister Soiba said that it shouldn't require a call from a Deputy Minister to initiate coordination at the BOC. The ministry has a representative at the BOC. The BOC said in response that the representative doesn't even show up for work. As a result, Dr. Chalabi requested his staff to facilitate coordination between the BOC and Ministry of Trade. He will send a committee representative to Modafa Square for this purpose. He recommended that Trade do the same. ITAO Director raised a question about the Prime Minister's request to deliver additional rations to Sadr City. The Deputy Minister replied that there were not enough food supplies to honor that request, but that they could be purchased. The Ministry of Finance would have to provide an additional $37 millionfor Trade to purchase an additional month's food rations. ¶10. The Baghdad Water Authority maintained that water service in Sadr City and other curfewed areas was normal. He asked Chalabi for some appreciation of their efforts. Dr. Chalabi will issue a memo of commendation to BWA, but pointedly stated that he will not recognize the Russafa Water District because they have not dealt with expected summer water shortages. - - - - - - - Water Issues - - - - - - - ¶11. The Karkh Water Treatment Plant Director said that the Karkh Water Treatment Plant is currently operating at nearly double capacity from the pervious regime's ownership. According to the Director, production currently hovers at about 2.4 million cubic meters and is expected to increase to 2.5 million cubic meters in the near future. The Plant Director gave a detailed report to Dr. Chalabi. The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) was in attendance at this meeting. They discussed two possible improvements to the Karkh Water Treatment Plant. A permanent solution would entail the construction of a barrier in the Tigris River to increase the flow of water near the plant. This would cost between 3 and 3.5 million dinars. A temporary solution includes dredging the river. The MoWR agreed with MND-B's proposal to float a smaller dredger under a trestle bridge in Taji to assist with this effort. They also offered to help the Amanat repair their larger, currently inoperable, dredger. The Provision of Services Committee will send a letter to the Mayor of Baghdad suggesting that the Amanat build and finance the permanent solution. ¶12. There was further discussion on low water levels in the Tigris. MoWR contended that water levels were primarily dictated by conditions outside of Iraq. The BWA suggested a floating dam to help control the water levels. Dr. Chalabi asked for a report on this issue. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Chalabi Responds to MND-B Memo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶13. General Milano sent a letter to the Provision of Services Committee last week regarding the Ministry of Trade's accusation that MND-B wanted to take over several of their grain warehouses in the Taji area. The memo maintained that it was the MoI who wanted to borrow unused space at the warehouses to emplace a temporary Iraqi Police station until a permanent station can be built. The MoI is working the issue with the MoTrade and Coalition Forces are not involved. The letter did note MND-B's support for MoI on this issue. Dr. Chalabi will send a follow-up memo to Trade. Butenis