Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD2633
2009-10-01 09:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
IS THE BELL TOLLING FOR THE ICI?
how-toVZCZCXRO8863 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #2633 2740934 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 010934Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4900 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0876
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002633
AIDAC
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2019
TAGS: EAID EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL IZ
SUBJECT: IS THE BELL TOLLING FOR THE ICI?
Classified By: Charg d'Affaires Ambassador Patricia Haslach for reasons
1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002633
AIDAC
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2019
TAGS: EAID EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL IZ
SUBJECT: IS THE BELL TOLLING FOR THE ICI?
Classified By: Charg d'Affaires Ambassador Patricia Haslach for reasons
1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) In separate meetings with Charg Haslach on September
26 and major donor countries on September 28, UNAMI SRSG Ad
Melkert confirmed that he would deliver the following points
to the Prime Minister's office regarding the International
Compact with Iraq (ICI):
- The ICI has largely outlived its usefulness. It is now
time to consider transitioning to a new mechanism to
coordinate donor efforts with the GOI.
- Any meeting in November should be at the Ambassadorial
level and be staffed from in-country representation.
- This meeting should reaffirm the donors' general commitment
to Iraq.
- The Iraqis should set the agenda for the meeting.
- The GOI needs to consolidate its assistance coordination
into one mechanism located at the center of government.
- The GOI needs to clearly articulate its development
priorities, which need to be aligned with Iraq's stated
budget priorities.
2. (C) UNAMI staff confirmed to Econoff on September 30 that
Melkert discussed these points with PM Advisor Sadiq Rikabi,
and Melkert will send a follow-up letter to the Prime
Minister. Rikabi was reportedly disappointed, saying that if
there was no hope for a Ministerial, the GOI would need to
consider whether to even hold an Ambassadorial-level, Baghdad
Coordination Group (BCG) meeting.
3. (C) Comment: The Maliki Administration's time in office
is littered with socio-economic development plans and
strategies, but few have had any lasting impact. Our focus
in the pre- and post-election periods will be on delivering a
consistent message (in coordination with UNAMI and the other
donors) that the GOI needs to provide a clear direction for
Iraq's development priorities. We will urge that this
direction: (a) needs to have buy-in across the GOI and the
provincial governments; (b) needs to embrace internationally
accepted standards, such as the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs); and, (c) needs to be synchronized with Iraq's budget
priorities. End Comment.
HILL
AIDAC
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2019
TAGS: EAID EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL IZ
SUBJECT: IS THE BELL TOLLING FOR THE ICI?
Classified By: Charg d'Affaires Ambassador Patricia Haslach for reasons
1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) In separate meetings with Charg Haslach on September
26 and major donor countries on September 28, UNAMI SRSG Ad
Melkert confirmed that he would deliver the following points
to the Prime Minister's office regarding the International
Compact with Iraq (ICI):
- The ICI has largely outlived its usefulness. It is now
time to consider transitioning to a new mechanism to
coordinate donor efforts with the GOI.
- Any meeting in November should be at the Ambassadorial
level and be staffed from in-country representation.
- This meeting should reaffirm the donors' general commitment
to Iraq.
- The Iraqis should set the agenda for the meeting.
- The GOI needs to consolidate its assistance coordination
into one mechanism located at the center of government.
- The GOI needs to clearly articulate its development
priorities, which need to be aligned with Iraq's stated
budget priorities.
2. (C) UNAMI staff confirmed to Econoff on September 30 that
Melkert discussed these points with PM Advisor Sadiq Rikabi,
and Melkert will send a follow-up letter to the Prime
Minister. Rikabi was reportedly disappointed, saying that if
there was no hope for a Ministerial, the GOI would need to
consider whether to even hold an Ambassadorial-level, Baghdad
Coordination Group (BCG) meeting.
3. (C) Comment: The Maliki Administration's time in office
is littered with socio-economic development plans and
strategies, but few have had any lasting impact. Our focus
in the pre- and post-election periods will be on delivering a
consistent message (in coordination with UNAMI and the other
donors) that the GOI needs to provide a clear direction for
Iraq's development priorities. We will urge that this
direction: (a) needs to have buy-in across the GOI and the
provincial governments; (b) needs to embrace internationally
accepted standards, such as the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs); and, (c) needs to be synchronized with Iraq's budget
priorities. End Comment.
HILL