BAGHDAD BOMBINGS: USG ASSISTANCE COORDINATION

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002934 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ASEX PGOV PTER IZ SUBJECT: BAGHDAD BOMBINGS: USG ASSISTANCE COORDINATION WORKING GROUP - NOVEMBER 3 UPDATE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Government of Iraq continues to recover from the October 25 bombing. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is preparing to move into its new quarters on November 8 and will receive some equipment from INL. The Minister of Justice has appointed the DG for Administration and Finance to coordinate recovery efforts at the MOJ. The Higher Judicial Council (HJC) has resumed operations at its temporary site in the Al Karkh courthouse. ITAO and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are planning a structural assessment of the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MMPW),which is temporarily using its former office space. USACE will also do an assessment of the MOJ/HJC building next week. The Provincial Council (PC) and Baghdad Governorate have resumed partial operations in their building, with the PC being able to hold its general council meeting on site today. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On November 2, INL in Washington approved 50 workstation packages (valued at approximately $177,000) and six vehicles for the MOJ, should begin delivery on November ¶10. This is in addition to assistance already provided to the HJC reported septels.The HJC has established a continuity cell and resumed most operations at its temporary site in the Al Karkh courthouse. All items (except the vehicles) will be initially conveyed under a loan agreement and converted into a grant after completion of delivery. Deputy Minister of Justice Posho expressed his appreciation of this assistance. The MOJ has signed for occupancy at the new location for its headquarters--the former Iraqi National Council Building (INCB)--and hopes to move in on November 8. The Minister of Justice has appointed the Deputy Minister of Justice and DG for Administration and Finance to coordinate recovery efforts at the MOJ. Over 100 MOJ staff are picking up the pieces this week to salvage files and equipment. MOJ has also hired a contractor to clean and repair the INCB, which was damaged during the August 19 bombing due to its proximity to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MOJ has relayed a need for metal detectors, x-ray machines, and a closed circuit camera system for the INCB. USACE will conduct an assessment of the MOJ/HJC building next week. ¶3. (SBU) Some staff in the MMPW have reported back to work in the old Mansour compound building, but the MMPW still needs furniture and equipment. ITAO and the USACE are planning a structural assessment of the MMPW. MMPW provided us with a list of priority items needed for basic operations. USAID is currently conducting an inventory of available excess property including furniture, IT equipment, computers and vehicles; we are also considering use of QRF funds to respond to this request. ¶4. (SBU) None of the PC and Governorate leadership were significantly injured. PC and Governorate staff have reoccupied most of the building following an initial assessment by the USACE that there was no critical structural damage. The PC Chairman told us he resumed operations in the building on November 1. We have not received any formal request for assistance, but PC officials have informally indicated that vehicles would be needed. PC members had temporarily relocated to various local councils and held its first general council meeting on October 27 in a rented hall in Zawra Park. It was able to hold its second meeting on November 3 in the PC Building. ¶5. (SBU) Post will continue to report as information becomes available on assistance requests for immediate needs from the GOI and coordinate our interagency responses, along with QGOI and coordinate our interagency responses, along with those of the international community. We will also continue long-term capacity building programs and engagements with the entities affected. HILL