Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD54
2009-01-09 14:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
WAIVER REQUESTED -- Section 565 Waiver of Prohibition
how-toVZCZCXRO3310 RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #0054 0091438 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 091438Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1158 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000054
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR NEA/RA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KBCT ABLD PHUM AL ECON AMGT ASUP AFIN IZ
SUBJECT: WAIVER REQUESTED -- Section 565 Waiver of Prohibition
Against Contracting with Firms that comply with the Arab League
Boycott or Discriminate in the Basis of Religion
REF: (A) 08 BAGHDAD 3826 (B) 08 STATE 132944
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000054
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR NEA/RA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KBCT ABLD PHUM AL ECON AMGT ASUP AFIN IZ
SUBJECT: WAIVER REQUESTED -- Section 565 Waiver of Prohibition
Against Contracting with Firms that comply with the Arab League
Boycott or Discriminate in the Basis of Religion
REF: (A) 08 BAGHDAD 3826 (B) 08 STATE 132944
1. (SBU) Section 565 of Title V, Part C of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (PL 103-236, 22 USC
2679c) prohibits the Department of State from entering into any
contract, except real estate leases and contracts below the small
purchase threshold (currently $100,000),that expends funds
appropriated to the Department of State with a foreign person that
complies with the Arab League boycott of Israel, or with any foreign
or United States person that discriminates in the award of
subcontracts on the basis of religion.
2. (SBU) Reftel requested that Posts that will not be able to carry
on diplomatic functions while meeting either or both of the
requirements of Section 565 send a cable requesting a waiver of the
relevant requirement(s) and justifying the request.
3. (SBU) Post's experience over the contracting year has indicated
that, despite previous presumptions to the contrary, local firms
contracting with Post's GSO Contracting Officer have in almost all
cases been able to provide the certification necessary under Section
565. The Embassy's ability to obtain essential supplies and
services, to the extent that these are procured in-country, has not
been hampered. Nonetheless, not all agencies at Post have been able
to obtain the necessary certification.
4. (SBU) Iraq does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.
While the Department of State has included the boycott noncompliance
clause outlined under Section 565 in all
GSO-originated contracts in 2008, the current requirements of Iraqi
law remain unclear. Generally speaking, removal of offending
contract language has occurred on a case-by-case basis, with most
cases originating in three specific GOI entities. Post therefore
must request a waiver because of ambiguities under Iraqi law and
potential compliance with the boycott by subcontracting entities.
5. (SBU) For the reasons stated in para 5 above, Post requests a
waiver of the relevant requirement(s) of Section 565.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR NEA/RA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KBCT ABLD PHUM AL ECON AMGT ASUP AFIN IZ
SUBJECT: WAIVER REQUESTED -- Section 565 Waiver of Prohibition
Against Contracting with Firms that comply with the Arab League
Boycott or Discriminate in the Basis of Religion
REF: (A) 08 BAGHDAD 3826 (B) 08 STATE 132944
1. (SBU) Section 565 of Title V, Part C of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (PL 103-236, 22 USC
2679c) prohibits the Department of State from entering into any
contract, except real estate leases and contracts below the small
purchase threshold (currently $100,000),that expends funds
appropriated to the Department of State with a foreign person that
complies with the Arab League boycott of Israel, or with any foreign
or United States person that discriminates in the award of
subcontracts on the basis of religion.
2. (SBU) Reftel requested that Posts that will not be able to carry
on diplomatic functions while meeting either or both of the
requirements of Section 565 send a cable requesting a waiver of the
relevant requirement(s) and justifying the request.
3. (SBU) Post's experience over the contracting year has indicated
that, despite previous presumptions to the contrary, local firms
contracting with Post's GSO Contracting Officer have in almost all
cases been able to provide the certification necessary under Section
565. The Embassy's ability to obtain essential supplies and
services, to the extent that these are procured in-country, has not
been hampered. Nonetheless, not all agencies at Post have been able
to obtain the necessary certification.
4. (SBU) Iraq does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.
While the Department of State has included the boycott noncompliance
clause outlined under Section 565 in all
GSO-originated contracts in 2008, the current requirements of Iraqi
law remain unclear. Generally speaking, removal of offending
contract language has occurred on a case-by-case basis, with most
cases originating in three specific GOI entities. Post therefore
must request a waiver because of ambiguities under Iraqi law and
potential compliance with the boycott by subcontracting entities.
5. (SBU) For the reasons stated in para 5 above, Post requests a
waiver of the relevant requirement(s) of Section 565.
CROCKER