Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD3430
2008-10-28 06:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

MAYSAN: SUNNI DPM PROMISES RENEWED GOI ASSISTANCE

Tags:  PGOV PINR ECON IR IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6213
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #3430/01 3020611
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 280611Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0110
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003430 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR ECON IR IZ
SUBJECT: MAYSAN: SUNNI DPM PROMISES RENEWED GOI ASSISTANCE
FOR MAYSANI RECONSTRUCTION

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Dan Foote for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003430

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR ECON IR IZ
SUBJECT: MAYSAN: SUNNI DPM PROMISES RENEWED GOI ASSISTANCE
FOR MAYSANI RECONSTRUCTION

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Dan Foote for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This is a Maysan PRT reporting cable.


2. (C/REL MCFI) Summary: Admitting previous GOI neglect,
Sunni Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Rafae al-Issawi promised a
crowded auditorium of provincial, local, and tribal leaders
on October 22 that the GOI would fully back reconstruction
and basic service delivery improvement efforts in Maysan
province. Traveling with a small delegation of ministers,
deputy ministers, and technical advisors, DPM Issawi listened
for nearly five hours to Maysani concerns about the current
state of the oil, water, education, and health sectors, and
the need for an improved road infrastructure and increased
investment in the province. Issawi's visit, one of the few
by high-ranking GOI figures to Maysan, is a step in the right
direction towards improving the tense relationship between
Maysani leaders and the GOI. End Summary.

DPM Promises Renewed GOI Assistance for Maysan Reconstruction
-------------- --------------


3. (C/REL MCFI) Sunni Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Rafae
al-Issawi and a small delegation of ministers, deputy
ministers, and technical advisors from Ministries including
Planning, Electricity, Higher Education, Marshlands, and Oil
traveled to the provincial capital Amarah in Maysan province
on October 22 for the First Conference on Reconstruction in
Maysan Province. Welcomed by Governor Maliki, a Sadrist,
Issawi listened for nearly five hours to concerns from
provincial, local, and tribal leaders about the poor state of
the oil, water, electricity, health, and education sectors,
and the need for new roads and increased investment in
Maysan.


4. (C/REL MCFI) Noting that this was his first trip to
Maysan in ten years, DPM Issawi admitted that the GOI had
been negligent in its support of the province, but assured
the audience that the GOI was 100 percent committed to
assisting Maysanis. Issawi stated &there is a high need for
reconstruction and service delivery,8 and I am here to
listen to your concerns and see if we &can fill the empty
half of the glass.8

Maysanis Raise Common Concerns
--------------


5. (C/REL MCFI) Provincial, local, and tribal
representatives raised common complaints including the need
for additional funding to repair and update the oil sector
infrastructure, water and electricity shortages, the
inadequate health care system and deficiency of health care
professionals, the education system and lack of instructors
and facilities, the need for additional funding to
resuscitate the agricultural sector, needed road projects,
and more assistance for women for employment and education.
They also asked for GOI assistance to help retain Maysani
university graduates who, for the lack of jobs, leave to work
in other provinces. Issawi asked that all issues be drawn up
as memoranda or work plans that he can present to a
ministerial council for distribution to the appropriate
ministries to be addressed.

Governor Suggestions to DPM
--------------


6. (C/REL MCFI) Governor Maliki, who chaired the conference,
suggested that any supplemental budget assistance from the
GOI should be performance-based according to provincial
budget execution, noting that his province was one of the
leaders in budget execution. He also noted that if he had
greater budget authority, he could more effectively manage
funding streams to promote job creation in the province. He
said that 120 billion Iraqi Dinar (ID) is needed to fund the
1,250 projects currently underway in the province.

Conference Wrapup
--------------


7. (C/REL MCFI) DPM Issawi concluded the conference stating
he had found it helpful to hear these concerns, and it was a
good start. He cautioned the audience that he did not want
to present false promises, and that a ministerial council
would have to review and study all the issues raised.

Comment
--------------


8. (C/REL MCFI) Issawi,s visit was an excellent opportunity
for Maysanis to follow the PRT,s consistent recommendation
and discuss their needs with appropriate officials in the
GOI. The DPM,s message of renewed GOI attention is a step

BAGHDAD 00003430 002 OF 002


in the right direction to help repair the tense relationship
between Maysanis and the GOI. In a separate meeting with
Maysani tribal leaders, the DPM lauded the sheikhs, tribal
unity and contributions to stability. Dr. Tariq Abdullah,
Prime Minister Maliki,s Chief of Staff and the leader of the
committee overseeing military operations-related GOI
reconstruction assistance to Maysan, who was originally
scheduled to travel with the delegation, was unable to attend
due to the PM,s schedule. Coalition Forces provided air
transport for the delegation, while the Iraqi Army and Police
laid on an impressive security package lining the convoy
routes and securing the conference hall. Major General Mark
Zamzow, Deputy Director, CJ9, and Brigadier General Jeff
Smith, DCG-S, MND-C attended the conference. End Comment.
CROCKER