ENVIRONMENT MINISTER REQUESTS ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001697

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

AIDAC

FOR NEA/I/ECON, ISN/CTR AND OES/ENRC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAID SENV SOCI EWWT KGHG IZ
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT MINISTER REQUESTS ASSISTANCE

REF: A) BAGHDAD 959; B) BAGHDAD 960


1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 6.


2. (SBU) Summary. During a meeting of the Environment Working Group
under the Strategic Framework Agreement on June 22, 2009, the
Minister for the Environment requested USG assistance for
environmental legislation and regulation, laboratory capacity
development, and environmental education programs. End Summary.

Environment Working Group
--------------


3. (U) The Environment Working Group under the Strategic Framework
Agreement (SFA) met on June 22, 2009 to discuss a work plan and next
steps. The meeting was hosted by the Minister of the Environment
Narmin Othman Hassen, and included from the GOI Dr. Kamal H. Latif,
Deputy Minister, and Ali Al-Lami, Chief Researcher and Minister
Advisor. The U.S. co-chair had been Dr. Maged Hussein, who was
tragically killed on May 25, 2009 by a bomb attack. The Minister
and Deputy Minister praised Maged Hussein for all the superb help he
had provided to Iraq and the Environment Ministry in particular.


Key Goals for Bilateral Cooperation
--------------

4. (SBU) The meeting participants agreed on several goals for
bilateral cooperation.
-- Enhance the technical capacity of the Ministry of Environment to
assess and protect the environment and any impacts that may affect
human health.

-- Support the Ministry of Environment in its development of legal,
regulatory, and policy frameworks for the protection of the
environment.

-- Facilitate integration of Iraq into the relevant international
institutions and standard setting bodies.

-- Support the Ministry of Environment's outreach programs to
increase awareness of the key environmental issues facing Iraq.

-- Facilitate inter-ministerial cooperation for environmental
restoration, including in key areas such as the Marshlands.

Training and Technical Capacity
--------------


5. (SBU) The Minister expressed great interest in "train the
trainer" programs, in particular, related to laboratory and
environmental assessments. Dean Sinclair, of the Iraq Scientist
Engagement Program (ISEP),suggested he could investigate additional
training opportunities under ISEP. ISEP provided similar training
and technical assessments for other ministries.

Environmental Laws and Regulations
--------------


6. (SBU) The Minister welcomed assistance on environmental laws and
regulations. She indicated the Ministry needs to change from
"monitoring" environmental issues to becoming a real regulator, with
appropriate framework legislation. She also sought a better sense
for herself and her officials of U.S. and international best
practices and environmental standards. She specifically requested
USG assistance in this area.

ACTION REQUEST FOR WASHINGTON: Embassy requests Washington's
assistance in determining whether the existing Commercial Law
Development Program (CLDP) for Iraq could be expanded to include
environmental legislation and regulation to assist the Ministry of
Environment under the Strategic Framework Agreement.

Strategic Planning
--------------


7. (SBU) A key objective of the bilateral working group is helping
the Ministry to develop a strategic plan. In the past, strategic
planning has been geared toward five-year goals. The Minister
indicated a strong desire to take a comprehensive, long-term view to
strategic plan development. The Deputy Minister suggested we first
Qstrategic plan development. The Deputy Minister suggested we first
look at challenges faced in the environmental sector and build a
plan around the most critical issues. The Minister stated that
those responsible for polluting need to be a part of the plan
development as well, such as the Ministries of Industry, Oil, and
others. The plan should also consider international organizations
such as the relevant United Nations agencies and the World Health

BAGHDAD 00001697 002 OF 002


Organization. It must also link to Iraq's National Development
Strategy. The Embassy will explore the possibility of ISEP program
assistance for strategic planning training for the Ministry.

Improving the Central Laboratory
--------------


8. (SBU) The Minister described the new laboratory structure in the
Ministry for detection and monitoring of air, water, and soil
contaminants. There are four regional labs (Baghdad, South, Middle
and North),with Baghdad serving as the central lab. The Ministry
seeks equally capability for all labs; however, all need more
equipment. Dean Sinclair said he would look at what additional
assistance ISEP could provide.


Bilateral Exchanges
--------------


9. (SBU) The Minister welcomed any and all bilateral exchanges that
would assist the Ministry in developing its capacity and
understanding of international standards and environmental
regulatory agency function.

Ground and Surface Water Monitoring
--------------


10. (SBU) Dean Sinclair described training provided by the ISEP
related to remote water monitoring equipment in April. The 26
people trained were mostly in the Ministry of Environment. The
program was a success and the USG would like to donate the equipment
to the GOI. An agreement was developed by the Embassy, which will
be reviewed by the Ministry's attorney and then signed. Upon
signature, the equipment will be delivered to the Central
Laboratory. This is an example of very practical training that can
be put to use immediately when the equipment is delivered.

Environmental Education and Outreach
--------------



11. (SBU) During the discussion of key goals, the Minister described
her commitment to education and awareness outreach programs and
requested these efforts be added as key goals on the work plan. She
described programs in Sadr City that reached over 5,000 school
children, designed to educate teachers and students about
environmental issues. In addition, she highlighted UNEP programs
offered in Southern Iraq, geared towards women, as the working
population in this area is mainly comprised of women. She also said
that any environmental education program must involve local people
closest to the issues. "Locals know everything about the
environment," she said, noting in particular the poor Marsh Arabs
who live in that region.

Education and Scholarships
--------------


12. (SBU) The Deputy Minister inquired about scholarship programs.
Dr. Paul Savello of ITAO described the Ministry of Higher
Education's program to provide 10,000 scholarships to Iraqis. The
Minister indicated that she will meet with the Minister of Higher
Education and will pursue this option. The Fulbright program with
Iraq has also been recently expanded, and could provide
opportunities to train Iraqis in environmental studies and related
engineering programs.

Marshlands-Everglades Exchange
--------------


13. (SBU) We mentioned to the Minister that officials in the South
Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) were enthusiastic about
having an exchange on the Marshlands, with details to be further
defined (reftels A, B). We asked which Ministries would be the
appropriate counterparts for the SFWMD. The Minister responded that
both the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Water Resources
would be counterparts. "We can't do anything without water. The
Marshlands are a big issue for both Ministries," she said. The
QMarshlands are a big issue for both Ministries," she said. The
Embassy mentioned Nature Iraq and the Marsh Research Center at Dhi
Qar University as possibly being included in any exchange programs.
The Minister said that local involvement would be essential for
success, particularly the Marshland area residents, but that she
would prefer that we start with government-to-government activity as
a starting point. The Embassy will explore additional ideas with
Washington and the SFWMD for exchanges.

FORD