Chalabi's Provision of Services Committee - January 29

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 000290 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL IZ REL UK SUBJECT: Chalabi's Provision of Services Committee - January 29 BAGHDAD 00000290 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. SUMMARY: At this week's regularly held Provision of Services Committee meeting, the committee met for 2.5 hours to discuss issues ranging from trash collection privatization and re-opening previously closed streets to electrical supply for pumping stations and service problems in specific qadas. The meeting followed its typically "ombudsmen" format. For the first time, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor attended. Other first time attendees included the Bagdhad Municipality Director and the DG of Baghdad Water Resources. The Ministries of Oil, Trade, Electricity, Defense and Health attended. The Baghdad Operations Command, National Security Advisor, Iraqi Red Crescent and the Joint Planning Commission also sent representatives. END SUMMARY. - - - - - - - - - - Meeting Highlights - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. The Committee, despite some reservations, decided to write a letter to the Prime Minister and/or the General Secretariat to suspend the bond/mortgage requirement now imposed upon prospective garbage truck drivers. There is a shortage of drivers due to this requirement. Advocates say that it prevents trucks from being stolen or used as VBIEDs and that it ensures that the drivers are Iraqi and not foreigners living illegally in Iraq. However, the Amanat argues that this requirement has resulted in garbage accumulation. ¶3. Deputy Mayor Naiem displayed a map of Baghdad, highlighting streets that should be re-opened because of improved security. He also thought this would spur economic activities and lessen traffic congestion. The Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) maintained that these security measures are in fact what have improved the situation and removing them prematurely could expose Iraqis to violence again. MND-B Deputy Commanding General, Brigadier General Milano, agreed on the need to strike the right balance and offered to work with the BOC and Mayor to open strategic streets, balancing security with measures to improve the quality of life for Baghdadis. ¶4. Senior Deputy Minister of Electricity, Mr. Ra'ad, discussed for a second time the threat that the ministry's employees face. He complained that despite extra efforts to improve electricity to the suburb of Sabi' Al Bor, the continued threats to engineers at Taji detrimentally impact electricity to Sabi' Al Bor. The MoE again pled for the BOC's assistance with this matter and Dr. Chalabi suggested that a specific, written request be addressed to the BOC. Also in terms of electricity, Dr. Chalabi discussed his recent visit to Doura and noted that several transformers were inoperable. Chalabi tasked the MoE to write a letter to Major General Hammond, the Commanding General of MND-B, to detail the electricity problems in the Doura area and ask him to repair transformers in muhallas 822 and 840. (Note: BG Milano, representing MND-B, did not offer to repair the transformers. He commented that it was the Government of Iraq's responsibility. End Note) ¶5. The committee discussed the condition of the irrigation canals, noting that the city is currently witnessing significant amounts of standing water because many of the canals are clogged. The DG of Baghdad Water Resources said a plan is underway to clear these obstructed channels, but work will be slow due to equipment shortages. Chalabi requested that a letter be sent to the Ministry of Water Resources detailing the problem and possible solutions. ¶6. Dr. Khamis, the Ministry of Health (MoH) representative discussed his recent visit to Abu Ghraib's hospital. He noted staff and supplies shortages, decrepit building conditions and unacceptable treatment of the doctors by the Muthanna Brigade. Dr. Chalabi requested a formal report be sent to the committee as well as the MoH. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Husseiniya Tops the Agenda - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. Deputy ITAO Director General Snyder delivered a report on the Husseiniya sewerage system. He shared the details of the United States Government (USG) involvement in the project over the past two years, having developed a plan to treat and collect water. The USG estimates that the project would cost $210 million and take 18-24 months to complete. The US can not construct the project due to funding priorities. Deputy Mayor Naiem suggested that a project, based upon Iraqi engineers' designs from 1990, be implemented. The Baghdad Municipality Director said that several studies were launched in 2006 and 2007, some of which are still ongoing to address sewerage in Husseiniya. He said it will cost approximately 17 billion dinars to address sewerage issues in the area. Chalabi then suggested that the Baghdad Sewerage Director be invited to next week's meeting for further discussion. - - - - - - - - - - - The Amanat is Up Next - - - - - - - - - - - ¶8. A follow-on to last week's meeting regarding privatization of trash collection in Baghdad happened next. Previous attempts to BAGHDAD 00000290 002 OF 003 privatize trash collection repeatedly were unsuccessful because there are few qualified Iraqi contractors with this area of expertise. The Amanat has since encouraged Iraqis to become affiliated with international companies in order to contract out this local task. The Mayor noted that a $180 million joint private/public recycling venture was ongoing. Another recycling plant is expected to come on-line at the end of 2008. The Mayor also reported that the city has contracted to build a factory that would convert recyclables into plastic bags. The shortage of garbage truck drivers was also discussed and the committee decided to write a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to waive the mortgage/bond requirement. ¶9. Deputy Mayor Naiem then used a large map to discuss the possibility of re-opening streets throughout the city of Baghdad. He specifically mentioned Abu Niwas Street, the Passport office area and Adimiyah. The BOC noted that the security measures currently in place are to be credited for security improvements in those areas. Any changes should be carefully considered so as to not compromise safety. MND-B, the BOC and the Amanat are to further discuss this issue. ¶10. The DG of Baghdad Water Resources discussed the current blockage in the irrigation canals. He said they are currently creating a plan to clear the canals, but any progress on work would be slow because they only have about 50% of needed equipment. The Amanat offered some additional drills in the short-term, but Chalabi emphasized that this problem also needed a long-term solution, particularly given its impact on agribusiness and employment. Therefore the DG is to send a letter to the Ministry of Water Resources. - - - - - - Electricity - - - - - - ¶11. The MoE and the DG of Baghdad Water discussed the electricity needs for 52 main pumping stations. In addition to secure lines to the pumping stations, fuel for the back-up generators is needed. The Senior Deputy Minister to MoE suggested that the Amanat develop contingency plans and the MoE will provide contingency power, but will not be responsible for the costs. He also stated that the locality should be responsible for interdictions and other related violations. ¶12. A brief report was delivered on the 10 amp meter project; the smart meter bid is out. There are 900,000 electricity customers in Bagdhad, but only 60,000 are using the 10 amp meters. According to the MoE, Sadr City has rejected using the meters. (Note: The purpose of the meter is to limit household use to 10 amps. The trade off would be more reliable electricity in return for accepting the cap on usage. End Note) ¶13. Then Mr. Ra'ad discussed threats and intimidation on MoE staff which prohibits load shed compliance. (Note: The committee discussed this issue previously and a recommendation was made to involve the BOC. The BOC said they would protect the power stations, but needed a list of authorized personnel for those stations. End Note) He cited Sabi' Al Bor as a victim of this, noting that continued threats to MoE personnel in Taji prevents Sabi' Al Bor from getting its "fair" share. Dr. Chalabi suggested that a formal letter be sent to the BOC regarding this issue. ¶14. Finally, Dr. Chalabi discussed downed transformers in Doura, in muhallas 822 and 840. Those stations, according to the MoE, will be operable again if and when the industrial Doura power station comes on-line. This is expected to happen in approximately one month. Nonetheless, Chalabi will seek further assistance from MND-B. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Service Needs in Mada'in and Abu Ghraib - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶15. Representatives from Mada'in mentioned security concerns in this eastern qada, stating that the area had been an insurgent safe haven. The Baghdad Municipality Director said that the area has not been safe enough for him to visit. Complaints were made against the BOC's supposed lack of coordination with the Wasit police. The BOC stated that the "Ministry of Interior (MoI) had nothing to do with it." Representatives from Mada'in then asked for increased military presence and possibly even an operation to root out insurgents. Chalabi reminded the committee that its charge does not include security, only the provision of services. ¶16. Dr. Khamis, the MoH representative detailed his recent visit to the Abu Ghraib hospital. He said conditions were deplorable. The roofs in the surgery rooms were leaking, doctors and other staff were scare as was medical supplies and equipment. The staff that was there had not received any training in decades. Also compounding problem for the doctors was the Muthanna Brigade's treatment of them. According to Dr. Khamis, the brigade is harassing the doctors. Committee members noted other complaints about the brigade's behavior. The MoD is expected to address the concerns with the brigade. BAGHDAD 00000290 003 OF 003 - - - - - - - Other Topics - - - - - - - ¶17. As the meeting was coming to an end, several concerns were raised regarding the return of formerly displaced persons. Houriyah and Sabi' Al Bor were discussed. Chalabi stated that over 1,700 people have returned to Sabi' Al Bor from Houriyah, but others have since re-settled illegally in Houriyah. According to Dr. Chalabi, he had a recent meeting with General Abhoud who stated that neighborhoods need to be prioritized in terms of resettling displaced Iraqis. He said that the Ministry of Displacement and Migration is not capable of handling all the issues associated with returning families alone. They need more resources, including staff, money and expertise. ¶18. NSA representative, Mr. Sayid, reported on Project Clean Delivery; kerosene rations were delivered to Hindi in the test run and were to start in 2 muhallahs each in Amariyah, Gaziliayah and Khark. The Iraqi Red Crescent offered their assistance in whatever was needed and the meeting concluded following the Monsour Municipal Officer's claim that municipal crews were being mistreated by 1st and 2nd lieutenants in the Iraqi Army. Chalabi told the Municipal Officer to give a detailed report and memo to the BOC. Butenis