TRANSITION OF THE IRAQ SCIENTIST ENGAGEMENT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 030442 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2019 TAGS: ECON IZ PARM PGOV PREL SUBJECT: TRANSITION OF THE IRAQ SCIENTIST ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM (ISEP) Classified By: Acting DAS Matthias Mitman Reasons: 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In 2003, the International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) Bureau's Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) created the Iraq Scientist Engagement Program (ISEP) to minimize the terrorism and proliferation risks posed by Iraqi scientists, technicians, and engineers (STEs). Since ISEP's inception, more than 140 STEs have been engaged, almost exclusively through the ISEP-sponsored Iraq International Center for Science and Industry (IICSI). To improve the ISEP program, CTR plans to leverage other threat reduction programs to expand engagement; engage both former Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missile STEs, and Iraqi STEs with weapons-applicable expertise; significantly increase ISEP's sponsorship of in-country engagement activities; phase out IICSI; reduce out-of country relocations; better inform the Government of Iraq (GOI) of ISEP engagement activities; and, when possible, seek GOI cost-sharing. End Summary. Changing the ISEP Engagement Model -------------- ¶2. (SBU) ISN/CTR manages a suite of Global Threat Reduction (GTR) programs to reduce nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons threats worldwide. In particular, GTR programs focus on combating emerging global threats posed by terrorists and proliferators seeking weapons-applicable scientific expertise, materials, and technology. ¶3. (SBU) CTR created ISEP in 2003 to minimize the terrorism and proliferation risks posed by Iraqi scientists, technicians, and engineers (STEs). Since then, ISEP has focused on redirecting former Iraqi WMD and missile STEs to civilian employment. ISEP currently engages over 140 STEs through membership in the ISEP-sponsored IICSI, located in Baghdad. ISEP provides IICSI members with a monthly stipend, as well as training and employment opportunities. ¶4. (C) To date, ISEP has engaged former Iraqi WMD and missile STEs almost exclusively through IICSI. This engagement approach has limited both the breadth and depth of ISEP's engagement efforts. In the medium term, some Iraqi STEs will continue to pose terrorism and proliferation risks. To improve the program and more effectively minimize terrorism and proliferation risks posed by Iraqi STEs, CTR will leverage other threat reduction programs to expand engagement of Iraqi STEs, including engagement of both former Iraqi WMD and missile STEs, as well as Iraqi STEs with WMD- or missile-applicable expertise. CTR will also significantly increase ISEP's sponsorship of in-country scientific conferences, technical training, project funding, and other engagement activities; phase out IICSI and the associated membership and stipend-based system; reduce out-of-country relocations; improve transparency and inform the GOI of ISEP engagement activities, including invitations for GOI employees to participate in certain events; and seek GOI cost-sharing of engagement activities. ¶5. (SBU) While broader efforts to engage Iraqi STEs create greater opportunities to minimize both terrorism and proliferation risks, ISEP faces several key challenges in the process. First, Iraq's security remains fragile even as security improvements continue. Second, as Iraq rebuilds its science and technology infrastructure, research involving potentially dangerous dual-use biological agents and chemicals may become more prevalent. Third, the ISEP planned changes, as described herein, may adversely impact ISEP's relationship with current IICSI members, especially since these members will have their monthly stipends phased out. Fourth, many of the ISEP changes will be implemented in mid-2009 during personnel rotations in Embassy Baghdad and CTR. Despite these challenges, the Department believes the planned changes will improve ISEP's effectiveness in accomplishing its nonproliferation and counterterrorism objectives. ISEP's Programmatic Changes -------------- ¶6. (SBU) CTR plans to phase out IICSI by March 2010. This phase-out will end the current stipend-based membership system for all IICSI members. CTR also will transform IISCI's Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) into an unpaid science and technology advisory board that will provide advice and guidance on engagement activities to ISEP's STATE 00030442 002 OF 003 Executive Director. ISEP's current members will be included in a contact list for future engagement events. ¶7. (SBU) Though the gradual phasing out of IICSI's membership and stipend system will help alleviate resistance from current members, ISEP Field Office staff will immediately begin to brief IICSI members on the rationale for these programmatic changes. While the phase-out process might be modified in response to IICSI members' input, all stipend payments to IISCI members should end by March 2010. CTR will emphasize to IICSI members that, regardless of their level of participation in and contribution to ISEP, regular financial stipends are no longer appropriate. CTR will, however, continue to support science and technology activities in Iraq that support our nonproliferation objectives. CTR may provide financial compensation to Iraqi STEs for services rendered in connection with participation in ISEP engagement programs, if CTR determines these services contribute to achieving programmatic objectives. ¶8. (SBU) As IICSI is phased out, ISEP will have greater flexibility in programmatic expenditures, thus enabling the implementation of more effective and focused activities. During this transition period, ISEP's engagement of Iraqi STEs will expand as it increases funding for in-country scientific conferences, technical training, project funding, and other engagement activities. Specific engagement activities may include safety and security training, certification events, business development, and collaborative research projects. ¶9. (SBU) ISEP will utilize several different models of STE engagement for current IICSI members, other former Iraqi WMD and missile STEs, and the younger generation of Iraqi STEs who have no direct experience in WMD programs but possess WMD-applicable expertise. ISEP will partner with other threat reduction programs designed to engage former weapons and weapons-applicable STEs, including the Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP),the Chemical Security Program (CSP),and the Nuclear Security Assistance Program (NSAP). ISEP also will continue to support programmatic initiatives designed to attract and engage former WMD and dual-use STEs, including the Iraq Research and Development Initiative (IRDI),the Scientific Seminar with Advanced Technology (SSWAT) series, and the Iraq Engineering Enhancement Program (IEEP). Changes in RELATIONS with ISEP Implementing Organizations -------------- -------------- ¶10. (SBU) CTR works closely with two implementing organizations: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and the Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). While SNL and CRDF work extensively with other CTR programs, they only recently received internal approval for their employees to travel to and work in Iraq. Both organizations will work closely with CTR and Embassy Baghdad to implement this new framework for scientist engagement in Iraq. As needed, CTR may identify and fund additional qualified implementing partners to achieve ISEP's objectives. ¶11. (SBU) Travel by CRDF employees to Iraq (in their capacity as CTR's grantee) will not occur under Chief of Mission authority. SNL employees, however, will be under Chief of Mission authority during their travel to Iraq, because SNL is a prime contractor of the U.S. Department of Energy. SNL employees will thus be required to obtain official country clearance when they travel to Iraq. CTR and the ISEP Field Office will offer limited travel and logistical support to ISEP implementers, who will be expected to take responsibility for their own administrative arrangements. ¶12. (S//NF) Consistent with the policies governing other CTR programs, new participants at ISEP-sponsored events will no longer be fully vetted by the intelligence community (IC). Instead, CTR staff will identify potential security concerns for a given ISEP engagement event, with Embassy Baghdad and IC input as needed. If an ISEP participant is threatened, kidnapped, or otherwise put in danger, the NSC-approved process to handle such situations will be instituted, including the provision of input from Embassy Baghdad, CTR, the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and the IC in determining the appropriate course of action. Discontinuation of ISEP Building Leases -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Shifting from a membership-based program will ultimately eliminate the need for the two buildings ISEP currently leases and maintains: the IICSI building in the STATE 00030442 003 OF 003 "Red Zone" and the villa in the International Zone (IZ). While the IICSI building in the Red Zone was intended to provide a place for IICSI scientists to meet, study, and work, the facility has been used primarily to distribute monthly stipends. ISEP has renewed the lease until March 2010, at which point CTR plans to terminate the lease. This one-year period will allow ISEP to gradually shift to its new engagement model. At the end of this one-year period, CTR and Embassy Baghdad will jointly assess the need for an ISEP office location outside the IZ. ¶14. (SBU) ISEP previously leased a privately-owned villa in the IZ that was intended to host trainings, provide temporary housing for implementing partners, and occasionally house Iraqi scientists. Unfortunately, the villa was unable to effectively serve this function due to its high cost (approximately $216,000 per year),insufficient training space, and lack of approval by Embassy Baghdad's Regional Security Office (RSO) for USG contractor use. After consultations with the Department's Office of the Legal Adviser and Embassy Baghdad's General Services Officer, ISEP terminated the villa's lease on March 6, 2009. ISEP within the Embassy's Structure and Bilateral Cooperation with GOI -------------- -------------- ¶15. (U) CTR, Embassy Baghdad, and NEA/I will continue their close coordination to ensure that ISEP policies remain consistent with USG nonproliferation goals and foreign policy objectives in Iraq. CTR engagement with Embassy Baghdad and NEA/I will inform development of nonproliferation programmatic activities that also are relevant to broader Iraqi needs. Likewise, ISEP will become an integral part of the Embassy's overall bilateral science and technology cooperation efforts in Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement and may be part of any future science and technology agreement between the United States and Iraq. The Embassy will identify and coordinate with the appropriate GOI entities to enable their participation in ISEP-sponsored events. Exit Strategy -------------- ¶16. (SBU) ISEP-sponsored initiatives and activities aim to build an indigenous Iraqi government capacity to engage STEs who have WMD-applicable expertise and to develop a strong nonproliferation culture. As with all cooperative threat reduction programs, ISEP activities in Iraq should become more transparent and increasingly involve host country participation. ¶17. (SBU) ISEP plans to undergo significant changes in the coming twelve to eighteen months, with the transition's pace dependent in part on continuing improvements in Iraq's security situation. ISEP will transition from a membership and stipend-based program to an engagement framework incorporating program elements from CSP, BEP, and other existing threat reduction engagement models. ISEP and Embassy Baghdad will seek, where possible, cost-sharing of engagement activities with the GOI, which should increase as the ISEP partnership with the GOI grows. USG funding for stand-alone ISEP activities should end no later than 2014. This goal will be reviewed annually, bearing in mind that Iraq's political, security, and scientific landscape continues to evolve. By 2014, CTR anticipates that threat reduction programs in Iraq will be conducted exclusively by discipline-oriented programs such as BEP, CSP, and NSAP. ¶17. (U) In coordination with NEA-I and Embassy Baghdad, CTR will evaluate ISEP annually to refine programmatic activities as needed to accomplish the program's objectives. ## CLINTON