REO/PRT MAKE OFFICE CALL TO DOWNTOWN BASRA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BASRAH 000072

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID IZ
SUBJECT: REO/PRT MAKE OFFICE CALL TO DOWNTOWN BASRA

BASRAH 00000072 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Ramon Negron, Director, Regional Embassy Office
Basrah, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)



CLASSIFIED BY: Ramon Negron, Director, Regional Embassy Office
Basrah, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Signaling an improved security environment,
REO personnel visited downtown Basra for the first time in more
than a year. The visit to the Governor's office also sought to
showcase the implementation of two USAID programs. The REO
emphasized US support for the Iraqi Army and government,
attempting to express support for the institution of the
governorship while minimizing the perception of U.S. support for
the governor as a politician. Predictably, the Governor
attempted to exploit the visit through the media for his own
political benefit, while the Prime Minister's office reportedly
censored coverage of the event by the state-run Al Iraqiya
channel. End Summary.


2. (U) Movement and security support from a US Marine unit and
elements of the Iraqi Army's 14th Division enabled REO personnel
to travel to the temporary offices of the Governor of Basra
Mohammed Musabih Al Waili in downtown Basra on August 20. The
US delegation consisted of REO Director, PRT Deputy Team Leader
and USAID Representative in Basra. Close advisors to the
governor and the Chairman of the Provincial Council were also
present in the room. It was the first REO visit to downtown
Basra since July 2007. The trip also included a visit to two
USAID-funded school projects in the district of Hyaniyah,
formerly a hotbed of militant activity.

GAPTIS and GIS presentation
--------------


3. (U) The ability to visit the governor's office reflects the
improved security situation in Basra, which constitutes a
powerful message in its own right. During the visit the
Governor signed a memorandum of understanding for two USAID
programs being implemented in Basra. The Governorate Accounting
and Project Tracking System (GAPTIS) and the Governorate
Information System (GIS) are computer-based programs that will
improve the provincial government's capacity to perform a number
of functions (financial tracking and more transparent
accountability, urban planning, public works prioritization and
management, etc.).

On message, despite media circus
--------------


4. (C) In press remarks the REO director thanked the Iraqi
Army, particularly the 14th Division, and local police, who,
with the support of Coalition forces, have established an
environment that should enable the economic reconstruction
long-awaited by Basrawis. REO director added that the Iraqi
government now has significant funding to carry out much of that
reconstruction and that the US stands ready to provide the
necessary technical expertise and assistance to help Iraqis make
the most efficient use of those funds. A REO contact from the
Governor's office revealed that someone from the office of the
Prime Minister had censored state-run Al Iraqiya station from
showing coverage of the event, an indication of the persistent
tensions between Waeli and Maliki.

DG training
--------------


5. (SBU) After speaking before the press, Governor Waili and
REO Director, accompanied by PRT Deputy Team Leader and USAID
Rep (and more cameras),briefly attended a training session on
functional analysis and budget execution given by USAID
contractors to 14 Director Generals. REO director mentioned how
vital their efforts are for the people of Basra.


6. (C) Comment: Knowing Governor Waili, the REO expected him
to exploit the visit for his own political benefit.
Nevertheless, it was surprising to walk into his office and face
what seemed to be every media outlet south of Baghdad. Given
that Governor Waili is such a controversial figure, the REO
director worded his remarks to emphasize U.S. support for the
institution of the governorship rather than Waili himself . As
expected, the governor tried to make GAPTIS and GIS look like
the signing of a major bilateral investment treaty. The
central government was likely concerned about how Waili's
statements were portrayed by the media. British Consul General
Haywood and MND-SE CDR MG Salmon made a similar visit to the
Governor the following day and met with the same media circus.

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End Comment.
NEGRON