IRAQ EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE - FEBRUARY 8

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000429

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2018
TAGS: ECON IZ PGOV
SUBJECT: IRAQ EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE - FEBRUARY 8


1. SUMMARY: In place of an absent PM Maliki, Deputy Prime
Minister Barham Salih chaired the 8 February Iraqi Executive
Steering Committee (I-ESC) in support of the Baghdad Security
Plan (Fardh Al Qanoon - FaQ). The meeting featured calls to
limit political and religious interference menacing college
campuses; and announcement of weeklong GoI media activities
to celebrates the Feb 14 one-year anniversary of FaQ; the
announcement that the Ministry of Electricity will seek to
import $400 M of diesel; and a well received presentation
from MNF-I highlighting the $5 billion in contracts let to
Iraqi firms since 2006. The rumor at the Deputy I-ESC
suggested that Minister of Oil Sharistani may be replaced by
current Minister of Finance Jabr in coming days. END SUMMARY.

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Religious and Political Extremists in Universities
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2. I-ESC Political Committee Chair and CoR Member Hashim
Hassani and Council of Ministers Representative Dr. Mohammad
Al-Tahmeme presented a litany of problematic issues
concerning religious and political infiltration on the
campuses of Baghdad's universities. In addition to stating
that more than 1000 professors and students have been killed,
arrested or kidnapped, Hassani also stated that pressure and
intimidation from religious and political groups seeking to
dominate student government was corrupting the integrity of
higher education as evidenced by a growing number of false
diplomas and a doubling of the average graduates GPA. FaQ
Civ Spokesman Dr. Tahseen Sheekly, himself an academic,
stated that the situation on campuses reflects sectarian and
political issues affecting the country as a whole. Sheekly
stated that curing such ills at the national level will
similarly help in the universities.


3. Hassani and Tahmeme presented a list of preliminary
suggestions including increased security for faculty;
assurances that university Deans be selected strictly on
grounds of competence, not political affiliation, and a call
for legislation that prohibits religious or political
activity that interferes with education. DPM Salih noted
that such legislation and might face constitutional problems.
He instructed Hassani and Tahmeme to meet with university
directors to develop a list of practical recommendations that
can be presented to the Council of Ministers. (Comment:
Discussion at the following Deputy I-ESC Meeting indicated
that directives limiting political activity on campuses had
previously been issued during both the Allawi and Jabari
administrations. End Comment).

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Media Campaign for FaQ Anniversary - Caution Urged
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4. The week of February 14 marks the one year anniversary of
FaQ. I-ESC Media Committee Chair Yaseen Majeed presented a
lengthy list of civilian and military media events to mark
the occasion including documentaries, poetry readings,
celebrations of martyrs and press conferences. I-ESC
co-Secretariat Ali Yaseri announced that a report noting the
accomplishments of FaQ was being prepared and that it would
be distributed to all Embassies in Iraq and all Iraqi
Embassies throughout the world. Yasseri also stated that a
major celebration event will be held February 15th at the
Rashid Hotel involving all senior members of the GoI and the
Coalition. Upon hearing Yasseri mention that a goal of these
events is to "increase morale," PC Chairman Mueen urged
caution and realism, noting that any exaggerations will play
poorly in the media. (Comment. "Over-promising and under
delivering" is a common issue with GoI media efforts.
Coalition I-ESC interlocutors regularly stress that need for
accuracy and honesty to th
eir GoI counterparts. End Comment.)

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MoO Calls to Increase Kerosene Supplies
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5. In discussions about hampered GoI efforts to distribute
sufficient kerosene needed to heat homes, PC Chairman Mueen
stated that the crux of the issue is not the new mechanism
that the Provincial Council is using to distribute
allocations, but rather the overall insufficient supply of
kerosene in Iraq. Mueen called for the Ministry of Oil (MoO)
to increase the supply of refined fuel products. An
Inspector General from the MoO in attendance due to his
participation in Project Clean Delivery, stated that
estimated kerosene demand in Baghdad exceeds 2 million L/day
and that the city currently receives only 650,000. The IG
stated that increasing supplies would be difficult due to
existing refining capacity, security problems in pipeline
transport, and a shortage of refined product in Iran. The IG
also stated that significant problems remain in the District
Councils and Neighborhood Councils with the method in which
kerosene is distributed.


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Additional Allocation for Diesel Imports
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6. Minister of Electricity Karim Wahid al-Hassan stated that
electricity continues to be inhibited by the usual suspects
of security, provincial load sharing and overall generator
capacity, but that his ministry was working hard to bring
five new generator plans on-line in coming months. Minister
Karim once again singled out the Force Protection Service for
criticism, stating that "I trust the ARMY much more than the
FPS."


7. Minister Karim stated that he intended to directly import
$400 M worth of diesel and that he currently had only $200 M
available. DPM Salih directed that the Ministry of
Electricity be provided the balance. (Comment. Notably,
Karim his availing the decision made by PM Maliki at last
week's IESC that government entities be allowed import fuel
products directly, bypassing the State Oil Marketing Company,
SOMO. End Comment.

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"Iraq First"
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8. MNF-I presented two initiatives designed to stimulate
economic growth in Iraq. "Iraq First" is a program to
maximize provision of materials and maintenance from Iraqi
firms. Since March 2006 the program has awarded 20,000
contracts in excess of $5.1 billion. "I-BIZ" is an
initiative to create secure business parks co-located with
Coalition military basis. Since inception in mid 2006 it has
grown into eight operating sites with activities, such as
bottled drink production, employing over 700 Iraqis. DPM
Salih thanked the Coalition for these activities and asked
for follow up meetings to expand their economic impact.
(Comment: MNF-I is now regularly using the I-ESC to make
presentations about positive contributions to Iraq, typically
in response to occasional critiques form I-ESC attendees.
End Comment.)

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Comments and Observations
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9. Comment: Attending and chairing the I-ESC for the first
time in many weeks, DPM Salih again demonstrated his
proclivity to refer issues discussed in the I-ESC to the
Council of Ministers (CoM) for decision making. This stands
in contrast to the approach of PM Maliki, who typically
issues executive orders for inter-ministerial actions through
the Deputy I-ESC meeting chaired by members of the Office of
NSA Rubaie, and, with the exception of economic issues,
rarely, directs I-ESC follow-up to the CoM. While PM
Maliki's approach may move things faster, Salih's approach
may strengthen the CoM as a constitutionally specified body
and act to track more issues discussed at the I-ESC towards
legislation in the CoR. End Comment.


10. Comment: At the follow-on Deputy I-ESC meeting I-ESC
Secretary Saeed Jabour of the NSA Office told JSPAoff that he

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was "sure sure" that current Minister of Oil Sharistani would
be replace by current Minister of Finance Jabr in an expected
government reshuffle within the next ten days. No mention
was made of who would become Minister of Finance. End
Comment.
CROCKER