VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGB #2069/01 2140642
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 020642Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4160
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002069 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2019 
TAGS: PGOV ECON EAID IZ
SUBJECT: DIWANIYAH PUBLIC DISAPPOINTED WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
 
REF: BAGHDAD 1360 
 
Classified By: Classified by PRT Diwaniyah Team Leader Michael Klechesk 
i.  Reasons 1.4  (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Three months into the tenure of the 
Diwaniyah provincial government, the public's initial 
optimism that the new team would improve services is 
eroding.  Provincial authorities seem to be focused on the 
challenges at hand, but are burdened by budgetary woes and 
the effects of a drought, which is particularly 
devastating in this predominantly agricultural province. 
Governor Salim Hussein Alwan and other provincial officials 
told PRToffs that the central government is at fault for 
insufficient action on crucial services like water 
provision.  The budgetary shortfall has led to numerous 
requests for PRT assistance by provincial officials. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
DISAPPOINTMENT CENTERS ON CONTINUING WATER SHORTAGES 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶2. (C) Early in the term of the new provincial government, 
the public harbored significant expectations for  better 
services, albeit tempered by uncertainty (reftel).  We see 
signs of growing disappointment and frustration that things 
have not improved perceptibly under the new leadership. 
Provincial Council (PC) member Widad Mohammad (National 
Reform Party) told PRToffs she is worried about growing 
public dissatisfaction with the apparent lack of improvement 
in recent months. 
 
¶3. (C) Our contacts across the province identify severe water 
shortages as the main source of frustration.  Although the 
public primarily blames Turkey and Syria for restricting 
water flow from the Euphrates River, the large agricultural 
community is displeased that provincial authorities have not 
done more to mitigate the impact. (NOTE: 
Water experts believe the problem primarily stems from the 
GOI's failure to adopt a coherent water management strategy, 
not with Iraq's neighbors. The Ministry of Agriculture is 
trying to cut back irrigated rice growing areas by one-half 
to minimize water-intensive crop production.  PRT's 
Agriculture Advisors are disseminating information on 
techniques for more efficient use of water. END NOTE.) A 
sheikh in a rice-growing area in the province's western edge 
told PRToffs that though he is permitted to produce rice on 
half of his property, low water levels restricted him to grow 
rice on only 40 percent of his land. The owner of a 6,000 
donum (one donum is 2,500 square meters) tract of land near 
Diwaniyah city told us that water shortages, combined with 
lack of sufficient electricity to run his pumps regularly, 
allowed him to grow barley on only a third of his property. 
PC Agriculture Committee chair Bak'r Sha'alan (Iraqi National 
List) criticized the central government for insufficient 
action on these issues to the press and to PRT. 
 
Health Scandal Could Further Sour the Mood 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶4. (C) Media coverage of the recent death of five patients 
after routine surgery will likely increase public 
frustration with provincial authorities.  PC Health 
Committee Chair Thamir Naji blamed negligence for the 
deaths, telling PRT that doctors stored carbon dioxide in 
bottles normally used for anesthesia, then mistakenly gave 
the carbon dioxide to patients already under anesthesia in 
the midst of their surgery.  Local authorities are 
scrambling to distance themselves from the scandal and 
initiate an investigation, but it appears to have put a 
further dent in the government's image. 
 
A Vigorous Governor... 
---------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) Governor Salim Hussein Alwan told PRT that he is 
satisfied with the security situation but concerned about 
Qsatisfied with the security situation but concerned about 
essential services, investment and 90,000 unemployed people 
in his province.  While praising Prime Minister Maliki, Alwan 
also grumbled about lack of sufficient financial and 
technical support from Baghdad.  (NOTE:  PC members, 
including Dakhel Saikoud (Da'wa) state that they lack budget 
planning skills, and have sought assistance from the PRT's 
public finance advisor. END NOTE.)  The Governor claimed that 
the Ministry of Water Resources was more focused on the 
country's northern and western provinces, to the detriment of 
the southern governorates.  The Governor was skeptical that 
the Planning Ministry had the capability to follow through on 
its plan to develop an industrial city in Diwaniyah. 
 
¶6. (C) Asked about efforts to boost investment, the Governor 
said that a Turkish company was providing training to make 
Diwaniyah more investor-friendly and that some international 
investors were meeting with Iraqi provincial authorities in 
Turkey to discuss possibilities.  He downplayed recent press 
reports of a major investment conference in Turkey.  PC 
Industry Committee Chairman Saikoud was among several 
legislators who told us the province's effort to attract 
investors was proceeding haltingly.  While there is general 
agreement on the need for investment in a range of areas, 
including food processing and housing, some PC members 
question why provincial and GOI officials are instead focused 
on building a regional airport in the province. 
 
...And a Stable Provincial Council 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (C) By most accounts, relations between the Governor and 
the PC are adequate but far from excellent.  Several PC 
members described the Governor as sincere in his efforts to 
make progress on various fronts, but added that 
communications and coordination with his office are sometimes 
strained.  Governor Alwan told PRT team leader that the PC 
sometimes acted like an executive, rather than a legislative 
body, forcing him to "waste time" attending PC meetings to 
keep that body on the right track. 
 
¶8. (C) PC members told PRT that the 24-member Council has had 
few internal political conflicts.  The two Sadr Trend members 
have not obstructed cooperation with the PRT. The five ISCI 
members have been largely marginalized and make little 
attempt to play an active role in the Council.  While Shi'a 
parties may be maneuvering in Baghdad ahead of the national 
elections, PC members tell us that this is not reflected in 
Diwaniyah. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶9. (C) The Governor and Provincial Council appear to be 
working well together.  Nonetheless, we see a gradually 
mounting sense of disappointment with both among the public. 
A few significant accomplishments could change the 
public's perception, but the current trend is beginning to 
worry the authorities.  They have accordingly looked to the 
PRT to help with projects, notably those involving essential 
services.  The PRT's ability to respond quickly with useful 
and well-funded projects may make an important difference in 
how provincial and local authorities respond to their 
constituents' needs. 
FORD