Cablegate: International Compact with Iraq Meeting Set For

VZCZCXRO0082
RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #2869 2991438
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261438Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5231
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002869

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EFIN IZ PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL COMPACT WITH IRAQ MEETING SET FOR
NOVEMBER 7

REF: BAGHDAD 2633

Sensitive but Unclassified. Please protect accordingly.

1. (SBU) The GOI has agreed to an International Compact with
Iraq (ICI) meeting on Novmeber 7, UNAMI Senior Representative
of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Ad Melkert has told donor
countries. Melkert said this meeting would "mark the
transition to the next new stage of interaction between the
Government and Iraq,s partners, with the GOI in the lead.8
Melkert said UNAMI would work with the GOI on the meeting
preparations and that UNAMI would keep donors informed.
Based on extensive conversations with the donor countries and
UNAMI, post expects the meeting to be at the ambassadorial
level.

2. (SBU) Melkert earlier told the GOI in an October 18 letter
(shared with us on October 21 and emailed to the desk) that a
new Iraq/donor partnership was needed that "recognizes the
GOI's lead in defining development priorities." Melkert
urged that the "highest level of government" should guide the
national planning process, and that the National Development
Plan (NDP) ) which would be implemented through a single
planning and budget process ) could form the basis of
cooperation between Iraq and its partners. He also suggested
that the GOI create a single donor coordination body that
would harmonize the donors' strategies with the GOI's
development agenda.
3. (SBU) For the November 7 meeting, Melkert has suggested
that agenda include: the GOI's preparations on the NDP, the
GOI's social and economic policy direction, ongoing reforms
based upon ICI achievements, the way forward for stronger
coordination of policies among the GOI and international
partners, and follow-up in the transition period around the
upcoming elections. (Comment: The ICI meeting will coincide
with the NDP Workshop in Erbil, scheduled for November 5-8,
and is followed by the Ninth International Reconstruction
Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) Meeting already slated for
November 8. End Comment.)
HILL

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