NORWAY AND IRAQ: QUIETLY CONSIDERING INCREASED AID

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OSLO 000020

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SENSITIVE
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E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREF PREL IZ NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY AND IRAQ: QUIETLY CONSIDERING INCREASED AID

Classified By: Charge Kevin M. Johnson for reasons
1.4 b and d

1.(C) Summary. Very quietly and without public fanfare,
Norway has begun to evaluate increasing its humanitarian
assistance to Iraq, particularly regarding Iraqi refugees.
Post has pushed this issue relentlessly. Elements
contributing to this shift include the improvement of the
security situation in Iraq, understanding by Norwegian NGOs
of the clear humanitarian need, growing optimism of Norwegian
government officials regarding the performance of the Iraqi
government, UN agencies and the international donor efforts,
particularly the IRFFI, and increased interest in Iraqi
assistance by Sweden. As a result the GON is considering
increases in Norwegian contributions to the UNHCR and
possibly to other donor institutions. Iraq has opened an
embassy in Oslo, which should help encourage further
engagement. End Summary.

Allergies to Iraqi Issues Waning
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2.(SBU) One of the current governing coalition,s first acts
was to withdraw all Norwegian participation in any military
activities in Iraq. Ideological opposition to U.S. actions
in Iraq created very limited interest in participation in any
international activities regarding Iraq for some time.
Despite this, some training of Iraqi police officers did
occur in Norway (since stopped) and the Ministry of Energy
has had some contact with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil.
Norwegian NGOs continued to be active, if not in Iraq, then
in the surrounding countries and were very much aware of the
humanitarian needs. The governmental reluctance has softened
with time and it appears that the GON is willing to consider
increasing its contributions to international efforts to help
the severe humanitarian problems in Iraq. The Humanitarian
section of the MFA is developing a proposal for the FM to
approve funding for Iraq humanitarian needs. It is clear that
any increase in Norway,s efforts will be strictly limited to
humanitarian issues. The MFA is a regular attendee of IRFFI
and UNHCR meetings on Iraq and previously had been skeptical
of international efforts as well as the ability of the Iraqis
to take necessary steps. However, following the IRFFI
meeting in Bari the GON is much more optimistic about the
IRFFI process, Iraqi competence, and the UNHCR,s efforts.

Norwegian Assistance Aims
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3.(SBU) Norwegian assistance to Iraq and Iraqi refugees from
2003-2007 is approximately $80 million and is primarily
funneled through Norwegian and international NGOs, reflecting
the extremely close ties between the Norwegian Government and
NGOs. Other assistance is given to the Iraqi Ministry of Oil
and IRFFI. The GON has contributed $23.38 million to IRFFI
since 2003 (half to the UNDP and half to the World Bank) and
$3.23 million to the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. The GON also has
also contributed $5 million to police training (now
terminated) and soccer activities. The Norwegian Red Cross,
Norwegian Church Aid, the Norwegian Refugee Council and
Norwegian People,s Aid all are involved in differing
projects concerning Iraq. Norwegian Church Aid has worked in
Iraq since 1997 in the Baghdad and Basra regions. Their work
is primarily in water and hygiene projects, psychiatric help
to children and youth, and in strengthening civil society.
The other groups are not in Iraq but help with Iraqi refugees
in Lebanon and Syria, particularly with education. A
Norwegian NGO, FAFA, conducted a survey of Iraqi refugees in
Jordan and an estimate on what this influx was costing the
Jordanian government, which is the first large-scale study of
this issue. Recently, Norway,s UN Ambassador, Mona Juul,
announced that Norway will increase humanitarian assistance
to Iraq and Iraqi refugees to $17 million this year. It is
unclear exactly where this money will go but the UNHCR and
NGOs will likely be the top recipients.

Upgraded Bilateral Ties
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4.(SBU) The Iraqi Embassy opened in temporary quarters in
June of 2007. Ambassador Ahmad Bamarni, located in
Stockholm, is still the accredited Ambassador to Norway and
it is unlikely that a seperate Ambassador will be named for
Oslo. The Oslo embassy is headed by Charge de Affaires
Fadhil Salih Jasim Marofa who is assisted by two third
secretaries and an attach. Their work is very focused on

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consular affairs, primarily on the Iraqi population in Norway
(20,076 as of January 2006). This is now the third largest
immigrant group in Norway. The Iraqi Minister of Oil is
scheduled to visit Norway in February and will be the highest
ranking official to visit Norway. The Norwegian Ambassador
to Iraq is based in Jordan but has been active in marshalling
support in Oslo for increased help on the refugee question.
The President of Parliament, Thorbjorn Jagland, is also

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active on Iraqi issues and is the highest ranking Norwegian
politician to visit the Iraqi Embassy.

Comment
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5.(C) The improving security situation in Iraq and improved
performance from the Iraqi government has clearly made it
easier for the GON to consider increasing its assistance to
Iraq. Norwegian NGO experiences have also contributed to
raising the awareness of the humanitarian needs in the
government. Another factor that should be considered is
increases in UN and European (particularly Swedish)
involvement in Iraq. We should continue to push the GON to
devote its considerable financial and NGO expertise to
helping the Iraqis address some of their more pressing
humanitarian needs.
JOHNSON