Iraqi Technology Task Force Launches, Ready to Produce

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001467

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV OIIP SCUL EINTECPS TINT KPAO IZ
SUBJECT: Iraqi Technology Task Force Launches, Ready to Produce


1. Summary: Thanks to the catalyst provided by the April visit to
Iraq of U.S. high tech executives as part of a TechDel led by S/P's
Jared Cohen, and at the behest of Deputy Prime Minister Barham
Salih, the Iraqi Technology Task Force (ITTF) formed in early May to
seek ways to empower Iraqis to use new media. DPM Salih energized
the genesis of the ITTF and mandated the ITTF serve as the liaison
in Iraq to the Support Network for a Digital Iraq (SNDI),the U.S.
portal that S/P is developing with the TechDel members. The ITTF
has met several times, agreed on its mission statement and developed
a logo and web site that will be on the web within days to signal
the ITTF's official beginning. On May 27, S/P Cohen hosted a video
conference with the ITTF members and the group followed that on May
28 by meeting with DPM Barham to report on the ITTF's activities and
pass on an update from the SNDI. End Summary.

ITTF: Going Where No TF Has Gone Before


2. The Iraqi Technology Task Force (TTF) is a public-private
partnership that formed in early May and over a series of meetings,
developed its mission statement with its mandate, "to empower the
Iraqi people." (Note: Full text of mission statement below. End
Note.) With a diverse and talented membership made up of leaders
from the public and private sphere, the ITTF is set to serve not
only as liaison to the SNDI, but will also work to use the tools of
new media to improve Iraq. It is co-chaired by a private
businessman, Farhad Alaaldin, and DG Mahmood Sharief from the
Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). Emboffs from PAS and
Econ sit on the ITTF as advisory members and ACAO serves as liaison
between the SNDI and the ITTF.

ITTF: We See Your "YouTube" and Raise You "Click"


3. In addition to several projects the ITTF is currently working on
in concert with members of the SNDI (National Museum web site, GOI
YouTube Channel, internships, etc) the ITTF hopes to also hold a
conference in mid-November in Baghdad with the assistance of the
SNDI. The ITTF plans to invite some of the leading technology
companies from the SNDI and also link in companies from other
tech-savvy countries with interest in Iraq. The ITTF is developing
a draft conference program and will include a session on how new
media can help politicians campaign. The ITTF also hopes to work
with leading Iraqi TV station Al-Iraqiya to develop a program that
would be modeled after BBC's "Click" a five-minute high technology
program. The ITTF is working to secure five minutes of airtime for
the Iraqi "Click" program just before the 8 o'clock news. The SNDI
could offer U.S. tech executives as interview subjects for the
"Click" as well as offer advice and content for the micro-show that
would help educate Iraqis about latest technology trends.

ITTF Mission: Not Impossible


4. The ITTF has adopted the following as its mission statement: "TTF
is a Public-Private partnership that seeks to harness the digital
world to empower the Iraqi people. It seeks to foster transparency,
accountability, and good governance in Iraq. TTF seeks to fulfill
its mandate by encouraging greater use of the internet and raising
awareness of its unparalleled commercial and social networking
capacity and its role in developing civil society." The activities
of the ITTF will be defined further as projects are defined and
focus areas set. The ITTF will also serve as the all-important
liaison and eyes and ears in Iraq for the SNDI.

ITTF Meets S/P, NEA


5. On May 27 the members of the ITTF connected via video conference
Q5. On May 27 the members of the ITTF connected via video conference
with S/P's Jared Cohen along with representatives from NEA. Mr.
Cohen complimented the members of the ITTF on how quickly they had
assembled and moved into action. He explained what the Support
Network for Digital Iraq (SNDI) was and what it hoped to do and
noted there was immense interest generated in the SNDI by the
TechDel's visit to Iraq. Moving ahead, Mr. Cohen hopes to develop a
joint virtual presence to make "meetings" easier using the tools of
the internet. He highlighted the strong support from the Secretary
the ITTF and SNDI enjoy. The ITTF members thanked Cohen for his
update and several told emboffs after the meeting that they were
encouraged by the progress in Washington and heartened by the
expression of support.

DPM Barham: Eyes Wide Open


6. On May 28, DPM Barham Salih told the ITTF members and emboffs
that the April visit of the TechDel had "opened his eyes," to the
potential of new media to help the GOI as well as the people and
culture of Iraq. He encouraged the ITTF to establish an internet
presence and formalize the ITTF with regular meetings, formulate a
charter that defines the role of the ITTF as well as the roles of
individual members, submit ideas to his office for new policy
initiatives, and continue work to deliver specific accomplishments
in the near term. Youth should play a prominent role in the ITTF,
he emphasized. To further the goals and fulfill the mandate of the
ITTF, DPM Barham offered his help and encouraged the ITTF members to
use his office as a resource and pledged he would use his
considerable influence freely to ensure the GOI did not impede the
progress of the ITTF. Emboff passed a message to DPM Barham from
the Secretary of State, noting that many were following his tweets,
indicating U.S. looked forward to an equal partnership between the
SNDI and the ITTF to empower the Iraqi people using the tools of new
media, and assuring the DPM that the Secretary was personally
engaged with this initiative.

Not Out of the Woods Yet



7. The ITTF is not incorporated legally so in the weeks ahead, the
group must decide on how to incorporate, as an NGO or as an
attachment to a GOI entity, either the DPM's office or the MoST.
While DPM Salih has repeatedly assured us he will continue to
support the ITTFs efforts no matter his political future, it is
crucial the ITTF develop into a robust, self-sustaining institution
that will not depend on political backing from a particular
politician or political group.

Comment


8. The ITTF's potential to address systemic problems in Iraq across
various sectors (cultural, political, educational, etc) in a dynamic
and innovative way is virtually unlimited if the ITTF succeeds in
finding consistent political patronage after DPM Barham leaves
Baghdad and if the SNDI is able to contribute in an active,
significant and continued way. The exciting part of this initiative
is that we have in place, in Iraq and the U.S., components to drive
this initiative with limited financial commitment from the USG or
the GOI. Further guidance and support from the USG, however, is
crucial to help us successfully launch the ITTF so it can produce
results and gain needed credibility as the nascent organization
struggles to find its footing in Iraq's challenging business and
political environment. End Comment.

HILL