MAYSAN: SUNNI DPM PROMISES RENEWED GOI ASSISTANCE

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