Chalabi's Provision of Services Committee - February 5

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000398 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL IZ REL UK SUBJECT: Chalabi's Provision of Services Committee - February 5 ¶1. SUMMARY: ITAO Director and CFO met with Dr. Chalabi in advance of the Provision of Services Committee meeting to provide an overview of USG reconstruction funding. Immediately afterwards, the committee meeting commenced and members discussed water in Ghazaliya and Nahrawan, the Karkh water treatment plant and the Amanat's Cleaning Day. GRD and ITAO presented an update on the Husseiniya treatment plant and the JPC Chairman discussed recent changes to the JPC. END SUMMARY. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ITAO Provides an Overview of Reconstruction Funding - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. ITAO Director and CFO met with Dr. Chalabi in a private session to provide an overview of US reconstruction funding. They discussed Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funds (IRRF),Economic Support Funds (ESF) and the Commanders Emergency Response Program (CERP). Dr. Chalabi was most interested in remaining funds. He discussed the need for a housing initiative, the rehabilitation of an electric station in Youssifiyah, improved irrigation channels and increased computer access for Baghdad University students. ITAO Director mentioned that there is a current program in place that has created an on-line library for university students. Dr. Chalabi thanked them for their time and expertise. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Committee Discusses Water - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. Concerns over potable water and irrigation water shortages were expressed as well as inadequate sewerage treatment capabilities. Ghaziliya was used as an example of an obsolete sewerage network. According to the Deputy Mayor, the Amanat is having difficulties recruiting contractors to address these sewerage issues due to security concerns. FAQ spokesperson noted that the area was predominantly Sunni and therefore a Sunni contractor ought to be considered. The committee dismissed his comments. Chalabi wrapped up this issue - requesting the Deputy Mayor to submit a memo detailing needed equipment. He also tasked the JPC with drafting a memo to expedite trenching in Ghaziliya to address irrigation issues. ¶4. Water issues in Nahrawan were revisited. The Amanat offered to provide untreated water to the eastern qada, but insisted that any treatment would have to be done locally. MND-B offered to provide reverse osmosis capabilities. Some committee members criticized the reverse osmosis machines, noting that they were complicated to use and expensive to maintain. The Iraqi Red Crescent volunteered to assist with maintenance. ¶5. The Amanat complained about power outages at the Karkh water treatment plant. A technical conversation ensued about generator ventilation. The Amanat offered to fix the generators with their expert repair team, the General Directorate of Generators. However, they noted that power problems will persist because of an outdated control system at the reservoir. ¶6. A representative from GRD and ITAO Senior Consultant to Water briefed the committee on the USG involvement in the Husseiniya sewerage treatment plant. Due to other funding priorities, the USG developed preliminary plans for a water collection and treatment plant in Husseiniya. The Amanat dismissed the plans because they were based on a lower population count than current residents. The USG retorted that they based the designs on the reality at the time. Current plans could be scaled up as necessary if in fact more residents live in the area. The Deputy Mayor maintains that he could fund the project, along with the Ministry of Public Works. The committee will send a memo to the Amanat to request that the Husseiniya project be started immediately. - - - - - - - - - - - Other Topics, Briefly - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. Dr. Chalabi excused himself towards the end of the meeting and Sr. Deputy Minister of Electricity chaired the remaining few minutes of the meeting. The JPC Chairman gave a status update on the JPC, noting that they were seeking an official link to the Government of Iraq in the form of an executive order. He also noted that the Provincial Council Chairman would likely chair future JPC meetings. ¶8. The Ministry of Defense commented that a letter had been sent from them and the Ministry of Interior to the Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) to request the BOC to implement changes that will prevent vehicles from parking illegally. Both the MoI and the MoD noted that illegal parking is a security risk as well as a traffic barrier. Crocker