WASIT GOVERNOR ENDORSES NOV 1 PIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002788 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2018 TAGS: PGOV IZ SUBJECT: WASIT GOVERNOR ENDORSES NOV 1 PIC Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Greg D'Elia for reasons 1.4 ( b) and (d). (U) This is a PRT Wasit reporting cable. ¶1. (C) Summary: "I do not want a political decision on PIC, but I believe it should happen before the end of 2008," said Wasit Governor Abdel Turfa, referring to the transfer to Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) in an August 14 meeting with U.S. officials. He endorsed a U.S. proposal to put Wasit on track to transfer to PIC on November 1. The governor was unable to answer basic questions about the 2008 budget supplemental and expressed uneasiness over the possibility of a Tribal Security Council. End summary. PIC by November? -------------- ¶2. (C) 10th Mountain Deputy Commanding General-Support (DCG-S),COL Jefforey Smith met Governor Abdel Latif Hamad Turfa and Provincial Director of Police (PDoP) MG Abd Al Haneen Hamud Faysal al Amir. Accompanying COL Smith were CDR 41 Fires BDE and PRT. On the subject of PIC, the Governor reeled off a list of provinces such as Basrah and Diwaniyah that were "not ready" for PIC, but which went PIC "for political reasons," adding that "I do not want a political decision on PIC, but I believe it should happen before the end of 2008." The DCG-S agreed with the assessment that the timetable not be driven by political considerations, and proposed a way forward, including monthly meetings, that would put Wasit on track for PIC on November 1. The Governor supported the plan. Provincial budget supplemental -------------- ¶3. (C) The Governor was caught off guard by a question from DGC-S about the size of the pending provincial capital budget supplemental and the process for allocating it. "We will start with the Qadas and Nahiyas, working with the ministries," said Turfa. "Then we will present the projects to the PC. They have 38 members and they all have their own views. But they always vote for it in the end." (Note: USG estimates Wasit will receive roughly 117 billion Iraqi Dinars in provincial capital funding through the supplemental. End note.) The Governor described a recent visit to Wasit's Northwest corner in a way that suggested he is shifting into campaign mode: "I traveled to Suwayrah, and I gave the people 17 projects that will last three years." Uneasiness over tribes -------------- ¶4. (C) Asked whether Wasit tribal leaders feel disenfranchised from the political process, the Governor denied that there could be any such sentiment in Wasit and boasted that "I will drive you from Suwayrah to al Hayy and you can ask this question to anyone you choose." The Governor was reluctant to endorse the idea of a Tribal Security Council reporting to the Provincial Council, saying that tribal divisions previously exploited by Saddam would prevent the tribes from working together in a unified manner. (Comment: The Governor may have been reluctant to be openly critical of tribal influence given the presence of the PDoP, who maintains strong connections to the aging but powerful Malik al Yassiri of Numaniyah. End comment.) Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) The Governor is more engaged in the day-to-day work of governing than at any time in recent memory. Although promising engagements with PRT TL on possible new projects have contributed to this "awakening," the real driver is probably the gradual approach of elections. Never one to dwell on policy minutiae, the Governor was unable to answer basic questions about the 2008 provincial budget supplemental. PRT will continue to engage with the Governor's staff and PC members to get to the bottom of a process that looks murkier by the day. End comment. BUTENIS