EU RULE OF LAW MISSION IN IRAQ TO INCREASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L USEU BRUSSELS 000733 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2019 TAGS: EUN IZ KJUS MARR MOPS PINS PREL SUBJECT: EU RULE OF LAW MISSION IN IRAQ TO INCREASE OPERATIONS Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Christopher R. Davis for re ason 1.4b/d ¶1. (C) Summary and Action Request: USEU political officers were briefed May 27 by Stephen White, who heads the EU's Rule of Law mission for Iraq (EU JUSTLEX). White described the training undertaken in Europe since 2005 and the decision to undertake several pilot training programs in Iraq as a prelude to 2009-2010 in country programming. White noted appreciation for cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. military, and asked for assistance for an upcoming program. See paragraphs 2 and 5 for action request. End Summary and Action Request. ¶2. (C) Since 2005, the EU has offered training in Europe to about 2,500 senior Iraqi police and judges, with training taking place in EU member states. The emphasis is on leadership and practical management of the entire rule-of-law spectrum including police and judicial investigations, human rights, and prison management. EU JUSTLEX has now launched a pilot program to provide continuing training inside Iraq, with the hope of establishing a presence there. (JUSTLEX is currently headquartered in Brussels, with a small rotating presence housed at the UK Embassy in Baghdad.) Two training seminars have recently been provded in Baghdad and courses are planned for Jue at Talil Air Base in Dhi Qar Province and Sulemeniyah in the Kurdish region. White told us, however, that the judicial training event scheduled for mid-June at Talil Air Base in Dhi Qar province may have to be canceled if the U.S. is unable to provide transportation to four EU judicial trainers to Talil from either Baghdad or Kuwait. He asked that we follow up with Embassy Baghdad with regard to the request. ¶3. (C) According to White, the EU Rule of Law mission was initially treated with caution by many EU member states, such as Germany and Spain, but now enjoys active support and participation, with 25 of 27 EU member states now contributing personnel or facilities. EU JUSTLEX full-time staff will increase to 60 by this summer. White's goal is eventually to move all EU JUSTLEX staff and training activities to Iraq. He noted that each step requires EU member state consensus, and that there is considerable caution because of security concerns. He noted this takes place in the context of broader EU engagement with Iraq. In addition to the Rule of Law mission, which falls under the framework of the European Security and Defense Policy, the European Commission also has a small delegation in Baghdad to oversee EU assistance programs and broader EU-Iraq relations. EU and Iraqi negotiators are presently conducting negotiations on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that would provide a structure for economic ties, political dialogue and other assistance. ¶4. (C) Once the pilot phase has been completed in June, EU JUSTLEX plans to offer 18 in-country training events between September 2009 and June 2010. White then hopes the EU will give the green light for additional programs. While White indicated his satisfaction with existing informal liaison arrangements with MNF-I and our embassy, he understands that as the EU expands its activities across Iraq, the need for close coordination with the U.S. will undoubtedly increase. White has acknowledged that one operational limitation on the mission's effectiveness and ambition has been its inability to travel independently, with ground travel support in the Baghdad area now being provided by the UK. ¶5. (C) Action Request: We would appreciate information regarding the possibility of providing transportation to four EU judicial trainers to Talil from either Baghdad or Kuwait. POC at USEU is Pol-Mil Officer Apar Sidhu. .