Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD1927
2009-07-16 09:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
VP BIDEN DISCUSSES RECONCILIATION, DEVELOPMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO5116 PP RUEHBC RUEHDH RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1927/02 1970936 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 160936Z JUL 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3955 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001927
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2019
TAGS: PGOV IZ KDEM UN
SUBJECT: VP BIDEN DISCUSSES RECONCILIATION, DEVELOPMENT
WITH NGOS AND UNAMI
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
BAGHDAD 00001927 002.2 OF 002
both a lack of resources and a lack of governance; she
contended that resources exist, but they are not made
available to the communities that need them. Ammar
Al-Shahbander of IWPR said that everyone wants schools,
services, and electricity, but "the government tells us there
is no money." He added that bad governance plays a role, but
so does insufficient development of resources, and suggested
that poor water management is a good example of this problem.
6. (C) Vice President Biden asked how economic development
could make a difference. Al-Nouri explained that she had
lived in Sulaimaniyah until early this year, and there she
saw that many Kurdish communities had good standards of
living and services. However, she added, improved services
could help populations in the disputed areas because these
communities are less developed and lacking in basic systems,
due to their disputed status. Andrew Gilmour agreed that the
disputed areas are among the poorest in Iraq, but pointed out
that services can not do much good in these communities until
the territorial disputes are addressed. Yarub Al-Shirada of
Relief International recommended that the best thing to do in
Iraq is to bring services to the poor. Al-Shahbander added
that public information is also an important element of
social change, noting the media's increased coverage of
Kurdistan ahead of the upcoming elections.
--------------
A Question of Corruption
--------------
7. (C) Vice President Biden then asked about the
participants' experiences with corruption in Iraq. Sahar
Al-Nouri responded that Mercy Corps has programmed over $100
million in Iraq since they arrived in country; she
acknowledged that the risk of corruption exists. She said it
can be very difficult for Mercy Corps staff to work in the
disputed areas, and often they must change partners when
corruption issues arise. Al-Nouri asserted that the larger
the program, the more susceptible it can be to corruption;
she pointed to past military programs as an example.
Al-Nouri opined that large programs can only succeed if the
community feels involved and develops a vested interest in
the project. All agreed that even perceptions of corruption
create challenges for NGOs in the community. Yarub
Al-Shirada gave one example of a group that was operating
under the same name as his organization but suspected of
being involved in financial misconduct. Sheikh Fareeq shared
his concerns about projects being run by individuals who have
lied about their credentials.
--------------
What About Security?
--------------
8. (C) The Vice President expressed interest in whether
NGOs trust local security forces like the Iraqi Army or the
Peshmerga. Al-Nouri explained that Mercy Corps has creative
ways of trying to deal with security challenges, and their
approach tends to vary from one district to the next. Their
model is to work only in communities where they are
specifically invited, and they also leave areas when
instructed; Mercy Corps also has a "no arms" policy. Sheikh
Fareeq said that while there has been an improvement in
security, fear remains that security will decline again. He
expressed his concern that, with so many unemployed young
people, "for $100 a person will do anything," including
possibly acts of violence or crime. Ammar Al-Shahbander
agreed that joblessness is a security issue, and called for
more investment from international corporations.
--------------
Conclusion
--------------
9. (C) Vice President Biden agreed that more jobs and
Q9. (C) Vice President Biden agreed that more jobs and
foreign investment are important, and he hears this often.
But, he added, there is a "dynamic tension" between foreign
investment, security, and preparation of the work force. If
educated workers are not available, or if security is
insufficient, it is difficult to attract investment. The
Vice President concluded by noting that there will be no easy
answers to the problems discussed, and stressing the
importance of our continued shared efforts to find solutions.
HILL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2019
TAGS: PGOV IZ KDEM UN
SUBJECT: VP BIDEN DISCUSSES RECONCILIATION, DEVELOPMENT
WITH NGOS AND UNAMI
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
BAGHDAD 00001927 002.2 OF 002
both a lack of resources and a lack of governance; she
contended that resources exist, but they are not made
available to the communities that need them. Ammar
Al-Shahbander of IWPR said that everyone wants schools,
services, and electricity, but "the government tells us there
is no money." He added that bad governance plays a role, but
so does insufficient development of resources, and suggested
that poor water management is a good example of this problem.
6. (C) Vice President Biden asked how economic development
could make a difference. Al-Nouri explained that she had
lived in Sulaimaniyah until early this year, and there she
saw that many Kurdish communities had good standards of
living and services. However, she added, improved services
could help populations in the disputed areas because these
communities are less developed and lacking in basic systems,
due to their disputed status. Andrew Gilmour agreed that the
disputed areas are among the poorest in Iraq, but pointed out
that services can not do much good in these communities until
the territorial disputes are addressed. Yarub Al-Shirada of
Relief International recommended that the best thing to do in
Iraq is to bring services to the poor. Al-Shahbander added
that public information is also an important element of
social change, noting the media's increased coverage of
Kurdistan ahead of the upcoming elections.
--------------
A Question of Corruption
--------------
7. (C) Vice President Biden then asked about the
participants' experiences with corruption in Iraq. Sahar
Al-Nouri responded that Mercy Corps has programmed over $100
million in Iraq since they arrived in country; she
acknowledged that the risk of corruption exists. She said it
can be very difficult for Mercy Corps staff to work in the
disputed areas, and often they must change partners when
corruption issues arise. Al-Nouri asserted that the larger
the program, the more susceptible it can be to corruption;
she pointed to past military programs as an example.
Al-Nouri opined that large programs can only succeed if the
community feels involved and develops a vested interest in
the project. All agreed that even perceptions of corruption
create challenges for NGOs in the community. Yarub
Al-Shirada gave one example of a group that was operating
under the same name as his organization but suspected of
being involved in financial misconduct. Sheikh Fareeq shared
his concerns about projects being run by individuals who have
lied about their credentials.
--------------
What About Security?
--------------
8. (C) The Vice President expressed interest in whether
NGOs trust local security forces like the Iraqi Army or the
Peshmerga. Al-Nouri explained that Mercy Corps has creative
ways of trying to deal with security challenges, and their
approach tends to vary from one district to the next. Their
model is to work only in communities where they are
specifically invited, and they also leave areas when
instructed; Mercy Corps also has a "no arms" policy. Sheikh
Fareeq said that while there has been an improvement in
security, fear remains that security will decline again. He
expressed his concern that, with so many unemployed young
people, "for $100 a person will do anything," including
possibly acts of violence or crime. Ammar Al-Shahbander
agreed that joblessness is a security issue, and called for
more investment from international corporations.
--------------
Conclusion
--------------
9. (C) Vice President Biden agreed that more jobs and
Q9. (C) Vice President Biden agreed that more jobs and
foreign investment are important, and he hears this often.
But, he added, there is a "dynamic tension" between foreign
investment, security, and preparation of the work force. If
educated workers are not available, or if security is
insufficient, it is difficult to attract investment. The
Vice President concluded by noting that there will be no easy
answers to the problems discussed, and stressing the
importance of our continued shared efforts to find solutions.
HILL