IRAQ PRT TEAM LEADERS CONFERENCE: TRANSITION IN 2009 (SBU)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003636 SIPDIS E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREZ IZ SUBJECT: IRAQ PRT TEAM LEADERS CONFERENCE: TRANSITION IN 2009 (SBU) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On October 14-15, 2008, Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Team Leaders convened in Baghdad for the quarterly Team Leaders Conference. The theme of transition animated this Team Leaders Conference. Presenters highlighted the need for continuing State Department-Department of Defense (DOD) cooperation as DoD moves from kinetic operations to civilian-led capacity building. Ambassador Ryan Crocker opened by challenging team leaders to actively engage with their Iraqi counterparts, while remaining sensitive to the reality that Iraqis want to govern their own country. How quickly we transition will depend on candid PRT assessments of progress, he said. Multi National Forces-Iraq Commanding General Ray Odierno highlighted the importance of supporting Iraqi sovereignty, and now that the security situation has improved, the military can shift its focus from kinetic operations to capacity building. Building on the transition theme, other presenters from 20 different offices and agencies, discussed their plans for moving forward. All 31 PRTs and Regional Embassy Offices (REOs) were represented, including the teams lead by the British, Italians and the Koreans. End Summary. -------------- -------------- AMBASSADOR CROCKER: STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT (SOFA),PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS, U.S.-IRAQI RELATIONS, AND MOVING FORWARD -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Crocker said that the agreement is in the final stages of negotiation, after the overarching framework was approved several months ago. He emphasized that the importance of a good SOFA agreement, and the impact it will have on all aspects of USG operations in Iraq. He also told the team leaders to expect moments of "high drama" as the final political decisions are made. ¶3. (SBU) Emphasizing that smooth elections were a critical element of transition in Iraq and how they are conducted will determine Iraq's democratic development; Ambassador Crocker encouraged the team leaders to report any emerging threats to the electoral process. He said that cooperation with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is another vital part of transition in Iraq, and represents a fundamental part of Iraq's reorientation into the international community. He highlighted his support for joint UNAMI-USG efforts in Iraq, especially as UNAMI moves further out into the provinces. ¶4. (SBU) Regarding eventual PRT drawdown, Ambassador Crocker encouraged the teams to think about conditions improving to the point where the PRTs would not be needed, and said that as more provinces move into Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC),civilian presence on the teams should be more prominent. At the same time, USG funds available for PRTs is starting to decrease, and he asked teams to use funds effectively and transition some of the mature programs to Iraqi funding. He praised quality and innovation as key to the PRT efforts. -------------- -------------- MNF-I GENERAL ODIERNO: 2009 is the Year of Transition -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Multinational Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) Commanding General Ray Odierno stated that the coming year is vital in the campaign for a secure, stable, and prosperous Iraq. Coalition Forces will steadily reduce their overall visibility throughout the country as the operating environment changes from security-led to governance-led. The way ahead will be less military action and greater DoD-State cooperation in Iraqi capacity-building. He emphasized the importance of the military-PRT relationship as the military transitions to a supporting role highlighting the increasingly important civilian effort. He said that the PRT will emerge as the "tip of the spear" as the overall visibility of the Coalition Forces decreases. He urged communication, coordination, and partnership at all levels. ¶6. (SBU) Like Ambassador Crocker, General Odierno cited elections as a critical element of transition in Iraq. He emphasized that they must be fair and free in reality and perception, and asserted the importance of PRTs as the eyes and ears on the electoral process and the transfer of power afterward. ¶7. (SBU) General Odierno noted the sustainability of Iraqi Security Forces, delivery of essential services, and development of a unified, Iraqi, political vision as challenges facing the country. The PRT's role is to build provincial government capacity, facilitate reconciliation by reducing sectarian and ethnic bias in government, support provincial budget execution, and foster economic development. This effort should support Iraqis as they exercise their full sovereign authority. Thanking the teams for their hard work and dedication, he pledged continued military support to the PRT effort in Iraq. -------------- BAGHDAD 00003636 002 OF 002 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) OPA Director Phyllis Powers chaired a dialogue with the team leaders, telling them about efforts to brief Government of Iraq officials on PRT activities. She emphasized that PRTs will be operating with less autonomy in the near future as the SOFA is completed. She also stressed the importance of honest assessments from PRT leaders, urging team leaders to report "how it really is," even if it is negative change. This information is essential to future transition planning. She urged coordination and cooperation at all levels, and pledged to continue to provide PRTs the tools they needed to accomplish their goals. ¶9. (SBU) The road ahead for USAID will be characterized by leaner programs, noted Iraq's USAID Mission Director, Chris Crowley. The resources available to USAID have been cut almost in half. The Local Governance Program (LGP) II program is winding down and will be complete by the end of 2008. The LGP III program is funded at a third of LGP II funding; LGP III will therefore only be offered to 7 or 8 PRTs. LGP III program managers must coordinate closely with the PRTs to ensure consistency in the training and advice provided. USAID economic development programs will still fund lending projects to small and micro enterprises, primarily through the Tijara program. USAID will have a presence in Iraq for quite some time which necessitates close cooperation with GOI entities. The next generation of USAID projects will reinforce strong linkages between local and provincial officials and empower communities to better articulate their needs. ¶10. (SBU) Multinational Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) Deputy Commanding General Major General Paul Lefebvre offered one certainty: Iraq's future will be less military action and greater DoD-State cooperation in the area of capacity-building. The operating environment currently presents more questions than answers regarding the SOFA, provincial elections, and the availability of USG funding. The goal is to increase civil capacity to maintain security and enhance stability conditions, and the importance of maintaining unity of effort and command. ¶11. (SBU) Speaking about Iraq's political climate, Ambassador Robert Ford, Embassy Baghdad's Political Counselor, described shifts in Iraqi political alliances and the fragmentation of political movements within traditional Sunni and Shi sectarian groups. Ambassador Marc Wall, the Coordinator for Economic Transition in Iraq (CETI),highlighted provincial budget execution in promoting the de-centralization of political power in Iraq. ¶12. (U) OPA's lead on Quick Response Fund (QRF) program officer briefed the team leaders on overall funding and spending figures for the program, and the guidelines for spending the funds. He also discussed the new micro grant program that will allow up to $25,000 in grants as another funding option for the PRTs. ¶13. (SBU) The Iraq Transition Assistance Office provided an update on the Provincial Reconstruction and Development Committees (PRDC) funding program, which supports priority projects identified by Iraqi leaders and coalition forces. He explained the funding guidelines for PRDC programs provided through the FY 2008 Supplemental Budget, and discussed the new five million dollar PRT Technical Services and Feasibility Program that will compliment Iraqi efforts to expedite Provincial Council projects and other local initiatives aimed at stimulating development and commerce. ¶14. (U) Richard Manlove, Acting Chief of Staff for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) gave an overview of UNAMI's plans and challenges heading into 2009. UNAMI's work is still colored by the 2003 bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, which set the tone for the level of risk that UNAMI is willing to take. Their priorities for 2009 will be election affairs and the problem of disputed internal boundaries in Iraq. UNAMI's footprint in Iraq will increase from 148 to 155 in 2009, and will embed UNAMI officials into selected PRTs by the end of the year. UNAMI depends heavily on security protection from MNF-I and if both coalition forces and the PRTs drawdown, UNAMI's scope of work will be severely affected. The SOFA agreement will be critical to UNAMI's continuing operations, as will coordination with the PRTs.. ¶15. (U) Other presentations focused on OPA assessments and planning, budget execution, and upcoming elections. Crocker