Cablegate: Irffi Donors Discuss Terms of Reference

VZCZCXRO7692
RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #2550 2130716
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 010716Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2569
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0052
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1654
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0099
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0053
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002550

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN EAID IZ
SUBJECT: IRFFI DONORS DISCUSS TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. (SBU) The Italian Embassy hosted an informal meeting of
the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq
(IRFFI) Donors Committee on July 31. Representatives from
Donor countries were invited to review a draft report on the
Terms of Reference (TOR), which were originally raised at the
last IRFFI meeting in Istanbul. Comments on the TOR are due
by September 10, and the final product is scheduled for
release by September 30. A soft copy of the TOR will be sent
separately. The next official IRFFI Donors Committee meeting
will be held in Bari (Italy) October 29-30.

2. (SBU) Earlier the same day, Donors Committee Co-Chair
Gianludovico de Martino met with his Iraqi Ministry of
Planning and Development Cooperation Co-Chair counterpart,
Dr. Faik Al Rasol (on behalf of Minister Ali Baban), to
discuss the draft TOR. Martino noted that the focus for IRFFI
now would be a transition to an Iraqi-led reconstruction and
development process. Emphasis has shifted to implementation,
monitoring, evaluation and ensuring the sustainability of
projects.

3. (SBU) Member comments highlighted the need to avoid
duplication of effort with the International Compact with
Iraq (ICI). Currently, separate Secretariats for IRFFI and
ICI are being developed, and all agreed that IRFFI should aim
to complement the ICI. Additionally, IRFFI would solicit new
monetary donations from Iraq's neighbors, namely the Gulf
states.

CROCKER

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