Anbar Changes to PMO list 08F0245 Final

• an INFORMAL TRANSLATION March 27, 2004 The Honorable L. Paul Bremer Administrator Coalition Provisional Authority Baghdad, Iraq Dear Ambassador Bremer, On behalf of the people of Al Anbar, I wish to express my gratitude to the United States of America for providing nearly 500 million dollars in reconstruction projects to our province. I also appreciate the effort undertaken by the Director of your Project Management Office, Admiral William Nash, to visit Ramadi and explain how these projects would be realized. In the warm spirit of collaboration represented by that visit, I wish to share with you the considered views of the Al Anbar Provincial Council, the Ministry Directors General and myself in reaction to the proposed list. After close consultation and research, we believe that the following recommendations will maximize the intended impact of the American peoples' generosity and provide a strong basis for the economic development of Western Iraq for the next generation. As an overview, we regard these projects as a unique opportunity to restore the provincial infrastructure and obtain new technology and expertise that has been blocked from us for more than a decade. For that reason, we request that you focus these funds on infrastructure projects that we are not yet able to complete ourselves. Specifically we request that you focus these very generous investments on roads, bridges, sewage treatment, potable water and health. These are areas where the United States can make unique and lasting contribution. Our recommendations follow. In regards to education, we would prefer less emphasis on school renovation and more emphasis on construction and innovation. Many of the schools on the list have now been renovated and the remaining schools can be re-done for a small fraction of the allotted costs. Instead, we urge that the Ministry of Education construct ten advanced secondary schools in Ramadi (2), Fallujah (2), Haditha, Hit, Al Qaim, Rutba, Ana, and Rahwa. We would like to see these secondary schools built according to a western model, complete with libraries, laboratories and gymnasiums. These institutions will instill and invigorate respect for learning in these communities and train our leaders of tomorrow. In regards to health, again, we are deeply grateful for your generosity. I would note that two projects included on the list, Abu Graeb General Hospital and Al Kadhmiya Children's Hospital, are not located in Al Anbar and do not generally serve the people of Al Anbar. We appreciate the offer of investment into the Hospital at Al Rutba, but note the difficulties of staffing an advanced medical facility in a remote area. Instead we ANTON HAY AND IN MIN ME 02811 Document #1 08-F-0245 Arsht, Leslye (SES) (b)(6) To: BL (b)(6) Cc: Subject: RE: PMO Projects for Al Anbar so there will be no confusion here. In (b)(6)): I have copied (b)(6) addition, I have spoken with the Minister, Dr. Alwan, so you can be assured representing his sentiment and that of the Ministry of Education, which is now autonomous. The Ministry did NOT make the rule about 'no new construction', the US Congress did. IF, we had the instructions we were given when the first lists been allowed to construct new schools, a need for 4500 school buildings to meet the needs of today's Iragi Since new construction has been banned, I see no way to grant your request. To meet the requirements following criteria for the DGs, who complied a list of schools using rehabilitate the most schools focusing on those with the greatest need; 2) add new classrooms to relieve crowding; demolish and rebuild (not allowed under the supplemental) 4) new construction (not allowed under the supplemental) Based on this criteria, Al Anbar would have very few eligible schools, since as you indicate, most of your schools have already been rehabilitated. If it were possible to "change" the Congressional requirements, the MoE would have to re- the entire list of schools submitted to us from the DGs of each Governorate, because other Governorates would want and deserve to have access to new schools. alone would ensure that no work on schools will begin before June and that delay would come just to complete the paperwork. But, the fact is, the rule change is not likely to happen in the best of times lit took Congress 4 months to agree to this supplemental budget).... and these are decidedly not the best of times. The "Laboratories of Excellence" of which there will be 162... (two for each province in the country, l will be created out of the existing stock of schools or other available ... each is to have a library, science lab, and computer room; possibly a room Teachers in the facilities will get for women/mothers to meet; possibly a kindergarten. additional training and will offer that training to their surrounding peers. Schools in the community would use these schools as their own. This infrastructure of high quality facilities will provide equity and access nationwide, which will augment the school rehabilitations chosen by the provincial DGs, which is important to the Ministry. Having said all this, if you can arrange funding for new schools for Al Anbar, we would encourage you to..do Regards, Lesive A. Arsht Senior Advisor, Education Ministry S-206 Republican Palace Rm Irag Baghdad, e-mail: (b)(6) -----Original Message ----- From: (b)(6) 186 2004 4:32 PM Sent: Monday, April 05, To: Arsht, Leslye (SES) Subject: PMO Projects for Al Anbar Leslye, Congratulations on transition of Min. Ed. Sorry I missed you Saturday. I would welcome your clarification on Min Ed's reactin to Al Anbar Governor understood from your last msge that Min. Ed Barjas' letter to Amb Bremer. "schools of excellence" in each two model was considering buliding province, including Al Anbar. this tracks w/ gov barjas' request for seven new schools. On Sat., you suggested that no new construction was authorized. Is it a Min. Ed that this is not/not a PMO rule. confirmed w/ (b)(6) rule? If so, why would Min Ed resist new construction? How will they build "schools of excellence" from existing stock? I was encouraged by your email msge last week. i thought we could go back to the governor and offer him two model schools to get started. but my impression from saturday is that Min Ed would be opposed to even this. Are we empowering the Ministries to the degree that local leaders will have to accept anything that baghdad offers? Given Iraq's diversity, I hope there will be room for regional improvisation. In fact, we should encourage The DG for Ed here in Anbar is a very impressive individual. Many people have told me that they feel lucky to have him. involved in the process yet. Are we urging Ministries does not appear to be I don't want to pester you but its hard to get a bead on this stuff from out PMO will hae to respond to Gov Barjas' What do you think we should do? Thanks. (516) Is Check out MSN PC Safety & Security to help ensure your PC is protected and safe. http://specials.msn.com/msn/security.asp Toye Arsht, Leslye (SES) From: Sent: Friday. April 16, 2004 6:30 PM. To: *FW: RE: PMO Projects for Al Anbar Subject: Leslye A. Arsht Senior Advisory Team, Education Ministry Republican Palace Rm 206 Baghdad, Iraq e-mai1 : (b)(6) --Original Message -----U Thomas From: Gibb, Jrl (CIV) Se: (boaturday, April 10, 2004 10:32 PM Cc: (b)(6) Arsht, Leslye (SES) Subject: RE: RE: PMO Projects for Al Anbar I am quite sure that Leslie Arsht knows the resrictions, but will reread and make sure that we cannot usg 2004 Supplemental for new construction of schools. I will ask LCOL to double check with the lawyers in OMB, it is really their call if there is any doubt. We intend to recommend the sewer system in Hit be funded since that is least expensive. There is a significant gap between our estimates and the Governance • if we can get some confidence in the figure cited that would be a real help. The number in the system is much higher (over twice as much. We would like to get a some drawings breakdown of the cost estimate or reproduced so that we don't find ourselves in a bind having promised something we cannot deliver. Best Regards, Tom Eom Gibbl (SES) (b)(6) -Qriginal Message- From: (b)(6) Saturday, April 10. 2004 8:19 PM Jr (CIV) SL To: Gibb, Thomas Subject: FW: RE: PMO Projects for Al Anbar (b)(6) would be interested in your response. clearly, we do not want to go through a nationwide process. that if pmo funds He said hao me be used for new construction, however, the discretion to build two model schools w/ pmo funds. adding to existing schools probably wont building is certainly an option. work and wont give the desired (b)(6) From "Arsht, Leslve (SES) " (b)(6) To: (b)(6 >CC: Gibb, Thomas Jr (CIV) " (b)(6) 3(0x6) PMO ›Subject: RE: Projects for Al Anbar ›Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 19:28:51 +0400 > 1 Foreign Language AL-Anbar Governorate Inext MOEl List recined dan/24 / 2004 Draft 12-January zest Lis Recired from Ministy of Planning P.Cost Constr 1. 762 558.9 Ahmed Shawgi for Boys 216-743 13177(4 new C.) 3 569.65 • 4 new C-L) Qubbet AL-Sakhre for Gins 216-745 131-70 2- 101-766 (4 = = 199-350-00 . Rasted Alie AL-Kelane 216-745 4. 150-639-231 AL Ezza Primary fir Boys 150-639-41-992 216-745-20 5. 49,350 AL Manhil for Boys sour (new ceilings) 150639-23 30ad (neid Ceilings) Al Mitha See. for Bay's 49-550 91.574 7- AL Ramadi Primary fer Bags 150.6541 8- 216.745 Mecca Al-Mukareme INterneute 419.350 30 canew Celings 216-745-20 9- Port Saeed Intermedate 325-118 216.745 150 654 (o Um Salma fur Boys 131-760 (4 new Coh.) 216745 150 639 AL Ahwazz 131-7601 = 12 At Mithog So for Bop49 sand 12 150 639 Abi Dharr AL-Ghafari for Girls 216-745 1131-780 (4 neisC.L) 150 639 216-74131760 = 13 AL Rafidain for Girls = = AL = =: = Boys 15 = Al Wasiti for Bay 216-745 16 In Zaydean for Boy's 162-55998-820 (2newC-d.) 30 44 Al Azhar Girls 17 news Ceiling All Firaject Titles were changed for 17 Site.