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 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS 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 -------------- 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 -------------- 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 -------------- 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 SIPDIS 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 OSLO 00000020 002 OF 002 active on Iraqi issues and is the highest ranking Norwegian politician to visit the Iraqi Embassy. Comment -------------- 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