US embassy cable - 02ROME6153

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RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ

Identifier: 02ROME6153
Wikileaks: View 02ROME6153 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Rome
Created: 2002-12-30 11:37:00
Classification: SECRET
Tags: AORC EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 006153 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFPAORC, WFPAORC, WFPAORC, WFPAORC, WFP 
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD 
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ 
 
REF: A) STATE 264652 B) ROME 6133 C) ROME 6072 
 
CLASSIFIED BY:   AMBASSADOR TONY HALL FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 
-------- 
SUMMARY 
--------- 
 
1.  (S)  IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS POSED IN REF A, ROLES AND 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE U.N. WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP) AND THE 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06153  01 OF 05  301327Z 
GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ'S (GOI) MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (MOT) ARE 
FURTHER DEFINED AS THEY RELATE TO THE CURRENT FOOD 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.  THERE IS NO/NO WFP FOOD DELIVERY AND 
DISTRIBUTION NETWORK IN IRAQ.  WFP PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN 
THE SYSTEM IN THE NORTH AND PROVIDES OVERSIGHT IN 
SOUTH/CENTRAL, BUT IT IS A GOVERNMENT SYSTEM.  ESTIMATES ARE 
GIVEN FOR STOCKPILES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, ALBEIT 
SKETCHY FOR THE INSIDE.  WFP HAS VERY LITTLE EQUIPMENT/ASSETS 
OF ITS OWN IN IRAQ.  NO WFP PERSONNEL WORK AT PORT UMM QASR. 
WFP NATIONAL STAFF PAYMENT SYSTEM DESCRIBED.  U.S. MISSION 
SHARES VIEWS ON RE-ESTABLISHING THE CURRENT SYSTEM, IF IT 
WERE DERAILED.  SEE PARAS 12-16.  END SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------- 
WFP RESPONSIBILITIES 
--------------------- 
 
2.  (S)  AS REPORTED IN REF C, WFP PLAYS A MUCH GREATER ROLE 
IN THE NORTH THAN IN THE SOUTH/CENTRAL REGIONS, BUT EVEN IN 
THE NORTH, WFP IS NOT IN CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE OPERATION.  IN 
THE NORTH, WFP MANAGES THE EXTENDED DELIVERY POINT (EDP) 
WAREHOUSES IN DAHUK, ARBIL, AND SULAYMANIAH, CONTRACTS FOR 
THE TRUCKING FROM THE TRANSIT WAREHOUSES IN MOSUL AND KIRKUK 
TO THE NORTH AND THE TRUCKS FROM THE EDPS TO THE FOOD/FLOUR 
AGENTS, AND MAINTAINS THE DATABASE OF BENEFICIARIES.  AS IT 
DOES IN SOUTH/CENTRAL, WFP ALSO OBSERVES ALL LOADING OF 
COMMODITIES, CHECKS THE BOOKS OF THE FOOD/FLOUR AGENTS, 
OVERSEES THE DISTRIBUTIONS, AND CONDUCTS POST-DISTRIBUTION 
MONITORING IN THE HOUSEHOLDS.  IN NONE/NONE OF THE COUNTRY, 
DOES WFP DECIDE THE DATES OF THE DISTRIBUTIONS, MAKE TENDERS 
FOR FOOD PURCHASES, CONTRACT OUTSIDE TRANSPORT, PLAY ANY ROLE 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06153  01 OF 05  301327Z 
IN THE MILLING OPERATION (OTHER THAN OVERSEEING IT), WORK 
WITH ANY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS) FOR THE 
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION, DO ANY DISTRIBUTIONS--EVEN IN THE 
NORTH, OR MANAGE THE FOOD PIPELINE.  THE MOT PERFORMS ALL THE 
TASKS THAT WFP DOES NOT. 
 
3.  (C) THE MOT SERVES AS THE INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT AGENT 
FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND ARRANGES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL 
TRANSPORT OF COMMODITIES.  IT ARRANGES FOR THE TRANSPORT AND 
MAINTAINS THE DATABASE OF BENEFICIARIES IN THE CENTRAL/SOUTH, 
AND KEEPS TABS ON THE BENEFICIARIES IN THE NORTH AS IT 
CALCULATES HOW MUCH FOOD IS SENT TO THE NORTH MONTHLY BASED 
ON THE BENEFICIARY FIGURES.  IT ALSO MAINTAINS THE 
WAREHOUSES, FLOUR MILLS, AND SILOS, AND SERVES AS THE OVERALL 
PLANNING CENTER, INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PIPELINE. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
WAREHOUSES, SUPPLIES, BENEFICIARY DATABASES 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
   4.  (S) QUESTION 3.1 IN REF A.  WHAT QUANTITY OF GOODS IS 
 
                          SECRET 
 
                              SECRET        PTQ4263 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06153  02 OF 05  301328Z 
ACTION IO-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   ACQ-00   CIAE-00  COME-00 
      CTME-00  DODE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EAP-00   EB-00    EUR-00 
      E-00     VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   INSE-00  L-00     VCE-00 
      NEA-00   DCP-01   NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   OMB-01 
      IRM-00   SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00 
      EPAE-00  DSCC-00  PRM-00   SAS-00   SWCI-00    /004W 
                  ------------------1E1606  301328Z /07 
O 301137Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7512 
AMEMBASSY AMMAN 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY BERLIN 
AMEMBASSY BERN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2// 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC 
USEU BRUSSELS 3036 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06153  02 OF 05  301328Z 
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL 
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE 
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC 
 
S E C R E T SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 006153 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFP 
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD 
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ 
 
STOCKPILED?  HOW MANY DAYS OF HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES DOES THIS 
REPRESENT?  WHO CONTROLS ACCESS TO WAREHOUSES WHERE SUPPLIES 
ARE STOCKPILED? 
 
   A.  (S) WFP ESTIMATES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THERE IS 
APPROXIMATELY 450,000 METRIC TONS (MT), WHICH IS ALMOST 
ENOUGH TO CONDUCT ONE MONTH'S DISTRIBUTION.  TOTAL TONNAGE 
DISTRIBUTED PER MONTH IN THE NORTH IS 50,000-60,000 MT PER 
MONTH AND IN THE SOUTH/CENTRAL REGIONS IS 400,000-420,000 MT 
PER MONTH, TOTALING 25.8 MILLION BENEFICIARIES IN NOVEMBER. 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06153  02 OF 05  301328Z 
WFP'S EDP WAREHOUSES IN THE NORTH ARE RATHER SMALL.  THE 
DAHUK WAREHOUSE HOLDS ONLY 3,000-4,000 MT, THE ONE IN ARBIL 
IS A BIT LARGER, AND THE ONE IN SULAYMANIAH CAN STOCK FOR ONE 
MONTH.  THIS MEANS THE NORTH CANNOT/CANNOT CURRENTLY STORE 
EVEN ONE MONTH'S OF FOOD.  SINCE A TWO-MONTH DISTRIBUTION WAS 
GIVEN IN DECEMBER (FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH), WFP REPORTS THE 
WAREHOUSES CURRENTLY HAVE VERY LITTLE.  TEA AND SUGAR 
PRIMARILY. 
 
   B.  (C) WFP ALSO RELAYED THAT IT NEVER/NEVER STORES WHEAT 
FLOUR IN THE NORTH, AS IT IS TRANSPORTED DIRECTLY FROM THE 
MILLS IN MOSUL AND/OR KIRKUK TO THE EDP POINTS, WHERE IT IS 
TRANS-SHIPPED ONTO SMALLER TRUCKS WITH THE OTHER COMMODITIES 
FOR DELIVERY TO THE  FOOD/FLOUR AGENTS. 
 
   C.  (C) OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, WFP HAS OVER 6,000 MT 
BISCUITS STORED IN TURKEY AND 3,000 MT RICE THAT WILL BE 
STORED IN JORDAN (ON ITS WAY FROM VIET NAM).  THESE FOODS ARE 
FOR WFP'S NUTRITIONAL PROJECT (PRRO 6085 - WHICH ENDS JUNE 
30, 2003) BUT WFP HAS PURCHASED A LARGER QUANTITY AS A 
CONTINGENCY MEASURE.  WFP HAS PUT INTO PLACE NOW ARRANGEMENTS 
WITH SYRIA TO BORROW 40,000 MT OF WHEAT FORM ITS NATIONAL 
STOCKS.  A SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE WITH A 
PARASTATAL IN TURKEY FOR 4,000 MT WHEAT.  DISCUSSIONS 
CONTINUE WITH THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT REGARDING LOANS OF 
WHEAT.  WFP ALSO SIGNED A LETTER OF INTENT WITH THE IRAN RED 
CRESCENT WHEREBY IT AGREED TO PROVIDE A FULL RATION TO 
250,000 PEOPLE FOR ONE MONTH.  WFP'S EMERGENCY OPERATION 
(EMOP) FOR IRAQ WAS SIGNED ON DECEMBER 23.  IT REQUESTS 
PULSES AND OIL, WHICH WOULD COMPLEMENT THE WHEAT LOANS, FOR 
900,000 BENEFICIARIES FOR TEN WEEKS. 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06153  02 OF 05  301328Z 
 
D.  (C) IN THE NORTH, WFP CONTROLS ACCESS TO THE THREE 
WAREHOUSES IN THE NORTH; THE MOT CONTROLS ACCESS TO ALL OTHER 
WAREHOUSES, MILLS, AND SILOS. 
 
5.  (S) QUESTION 3.2 IN REF A.  WHO CONTROLS THE COMPILATION 
OF, AND ACCESS TO, THE BENFICIARY RATION LISTS?  WFP 
MAINTAINS THE BENEFICIARY DATABASE IN THE NORTH AND THE MOT 
MAINTAINS THE LISTS FOR SOUTH/CENTRAL.  WITH THAT SAID, 
HOWEVER, THE MOT EXERTS CONTROL OVER THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.  AS 
REPORTED IN REF B, THE GOI IS CURRENTLY EXPELLING KURDS FROM 
THE KIRKUK AREA AND SENDING THEM NORTH.  WFP IS INTERVENING 
WITH THE MOT ON THE KURDS' BEHALF TO HAVE THE DISPLACED 
KURDS' NAMES REMOVED FROM THE GOI FOOD DISTRIBUTION LISTS IN 
THE CENTRAL REGION SO THEY CAN BE ADDED TO WFP'S LISTS IN THE 
NORTH.  AND AS STATED ABOVE, THE MOT DETERMINES THE NORTH'S 
MONTHLY FOOD SHIPMENT BASED ON THE LISTS.  IF WFP ADDED THE 
DISPLACED KURDS TO ITS LISTS WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE MOT, WFP 
WOULD NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH RATIONS FOR ALL BENEFICIARIES. 
 
----------- 
 
                          SECRET 
 
                              SECRET        PTQ4265 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06153  03 OF 05  301329Z 
ACTION IO-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   ACQ-00   CIAE-00  COME-00 
      CTME-00  DODE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EAP-00   EB-00    EUR-00 
      E-00     VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   INSE-00  L-00     VCE-00 
      NEA-00   DCP-01   NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   OMB-01 
      IRM-00   SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00 
      EPAE-00  DSCC-00  PRM-00   SAS-00   SWCI-00    /004W 
                  ------------------1E161F  301329Z /07 
O 301137Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7513 
AMEMBASSY AMMAN 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY BERLIN 
AMEMBASSY BERN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2// 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC 
USEU BRUSSELS 3037 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06153  03 OF 05  301329Z 
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL 
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE 
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC 
 
S E C R E T SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 006153 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFP 
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD 
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ 
 
LOGISTICS 
----------- 
 
6.  (S)  QUESTION 3.3. PART ONE.  WHAT ASSESTS/FACILITIES 
DOES THE UN OWN IN IRAQ THAT ARE USED BY WFP?  WHAT 
IRAQI-OWNED FACILITIES/ASSETS ARE USED FOR WFP?  COULD 
REPLACEMENTS BE FOUND?  THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR THE MOT OWN 
EVERYTHING THAT WFP USES EXCEPT FOR WFP'S STAFF VEHICLES AND 
COMPUTERS AND OTHER GENERAL OFFICE EQUIPMENT.  WFP REPORTS 
THAT THE GOI IS THE ONLY INSTITUTION THAT HAS WAREHOUSES. 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06153  03 OF 05  301329Z 
WFP COULD, OF COURSE, CONSTRUCT ITS OWN--IN A DIFFERENT 
ENVIRONMENT OR UNDER A DIFFERENT SYSTEM.  THE TRUCKS FOR FOOD 
TRANSPORT ARE RENTED COMMERCIALLY IN THE NORTH. 
 
7.  QUESTION 3.3. PART TWO.  IS ACCESS TO THE WFP DELIVERY 
AND DISTRIBUTION NETWORK, WAREHOUSES, AND FOOD/FLOUR AGENTS 
LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE TO INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES 
IN A POST-CONFLICT ENVIRONMENT?   AS STATED IN REF TELS, 
THERE IS NO/NO WFP DELIVERY AND DISTRIBUTION NETWORK. THERE 
IS ONLY THE MOT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, TO WHICH WFP PROVIDES 
OVERSIGHT IN SOUTH/CENTRAL, AND PLAYS A MORE INTEGRAL ROLE IN 
THE NORTH.  PLEASE SEE PARA 2 ABOVE.  THE WAREHOUSE SPACE 
BEING USED BY WFP IN THE NORTH IS MINIMAL, SO THERE IS NO 
UNUSED SPACE AVAILABLE TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN 
AGENCIES.  WFP, HOWEVER, COULD CONSTRUCT TEMPORARY 
WAREHOUSES, I.E. RUBB HALLS, AS IT DOES IN PLACES AROUND THE 
WORLD THAT COULD BE SHARED WITH OTHERS.  PERHAPS, OTHERS 
COULD USE THE FOOD/FLOUR AGENTS TO DISTRIBUTE NON-FOOD ITEMS, 
HOWEVER IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT THE AGENTS ARE SMALL 
SHOP OWNERS, SO THEY DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF STORAGE SPACE. 
 
--------------- 
PORT UMM QASR 
--------------- 
 
8.  (S) QUESTION 4.1.  APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY WFP PERSONNEL 
WORK AT THE UMM QASR FACILITY?  WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS AND 
DISTRIBTION OF PERSONNEL, INTERNATIONAL VERSUS NATIONAL, 
CROSS-REFERENCED BY ROLE.  COULD OTHER PERSONNEL FILL IN FOR 
THE UN IF NEEDED?  WFP REPORTS THAT NO/NO WFP PERSONNEL WORK 
IN THE PORT UMM QASR.  TOTECNA, THE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES THE 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06153  03 OF 05  301329Z 
IMPORTS UNDER THE OIL FOR IRAQ PROGRAM (OIP), HAS A COMPOUND 
AT THE PORT WHERE ABOUT 15 STAFF ARE POSTED.  ALL OTHER 
PERSONNEL AT THE PORT THAT ARE INVOLVED IN HE OIL FOR FOOD 
(OFF) ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE MOT. 
 
9.  (S) QUESTION 4.2  HOW DO THE BULK OF THE IRAQ NATIONAL 
WORKING WITH WFP GET PAID?  WHAT IS TH WAGE FOR A PORT 
WORKER, TRUCK DRIVER, CRANE OPEATOR, ETC.?  WFP'S NATIONAL 
STAFF GET PAID IN USDOLLARS, IN CASH, ON A MONTHLY BASIS. 
WFP'S BAGHAD OFFICE SENDS THE STAFF HOURS TO WFP'S REGIONALOFFICE IN CAIR 
O.  WFP/CAIRO SENDS THE REQUEST FOR UNDS TO 
OIP.  OIP DISBURSES THE MONEY TO U.N. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 
(UNDP) IN BAGHDAD, WHO IN TURN GIVES THE DOLLARS TO THE 
WFP/BAGHDAD.   SINCE WFP HAS NO NATIONAL STAFF AT THE PORT, 
NO AVERAGE WAGES CAN BE PROVIDED FOR PORT STAFF. THE 
FUNCTIONS MENTIONED ABOVE ARE FILLED BY THE MOT. 
 
10. (S)QUESTION 4.3.  WOULD IRAQIS BE LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO 
WORK IN THE ABSENCE OF THE UN IF THEY CONTINUED TO GET PAID? 
YES, WFP THINKS THEY WOULD, TO THE EXTENT THEY WERE ABLE TO 
DO SO. 
 
                          SECRET 
 
                              SECRET        PTQ4266 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06153  04 OF 05  301329Z 
ACTION IO-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   ACQ-00   CIAE-00  COME-00 
      CTME-00  DODE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EAP-00   EB-00    EUR-00 
      E-00     VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   INSE-00  L-00     VCE-00 
      NEA-00   DCP-01   NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   OMB-01 
      IRM-00   SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00 
      EPAE-00  DSCC-00  PRM-00   SAS-00   SWCI-00    /004W 
                  ------------------1E162D  301329Z /07 
O 301137Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7514 
AMEMBASSY AMMAN 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY BERLIN 
AMEMBASSY BERN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2// 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC 
USEU BRUSSELS 3038 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06153  04 OF 05  301329Z 
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL 
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE 
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC 
 
S E C R E T SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 006153 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFP 
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD 
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ 
 
11. (S) QUESTION 4.4.5.6  WFP IS UNABLE TO SHED ANY LIGHT ON 
THE QUESTIONS REGARDING TANKERING OPERATIONS AT THE PORT 
SINCE IT HAS NO STAFF WORKING IN THE PORT.  IT SUGGESTS THAT 
OIP WOULD BE A BETTER SOURCE. 
 
------------ 
WFP STAFFING 
------------ 
 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06153  04 OF 05  301329Z 
12. (C) AS REPORTED IN REF B, WFP HAS FORMED A TASK FORCE 
THAT HAS HELD TWO MEETINGS THUS FAR.  THE NEXT MEETING IS ON 
JANUARY 2.  ONE OF ITS FIRST TASKS HAS BEEN TO IDENTIFY 
POTENTIAL STAFF THAT COULD BE PULLED FROM OTHER OPERATIONS. 
IT IS COMPILING A ROSTER AND NOTIFYING THE STAFF REGARDING 
THEIR POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT IN A POTENTIAL WFP GULF 
OPERATION.  THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR OF 
OPERATIONS, JEAN-JACQUES GRAISSE, IS ALSO BECOMING VERY 
PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THE CONTINGENCY PLANNING ASPECTS. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
VIEWS ON RE-ESTABLISHING THE CURRENT SYSTEM 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
13. (S) THE KEY TO RE-STARTING THE CURRENT FOOD DISTRIBUTION 
SYSTEM, IF THE ENTIRE OR PARTS OF THE SYSTEM ARE DERAILED, IS 
THE MOT AND THE WFP NATIONAL STAFF.  AS STATED IN REF B AND 
REITERATED IN PARA 3 ABOVE, THE MOT PLAYS A TREMENDOUS ROLE 
IN THE SYSTEM, FROM START TO FINISH.  IF POSSIBLE AT THIS 
STAGE, U.S. MISSION RECOMMENDS THE USG CONTEMPLATE HOW BEST 
TO CONTACT THESE INDIVIDUALS IF THERE IS A REGIME CHANGE, IN 
ORDER TO ASK/ENCOURAGE THEM TO RESUME THEIR PRIOR DUTIES. 
THESE STAFF KNOW THEIR JOBS WELL, AND AS IT IS DESCRIBED, THE 
CURRENT SYSTEM IS A WELL OILED-MACHINE THAT REQUIRES MINIMUM 
DAILY MAINTENANCE TO KEEP IT GOING, BUT THE MOT STAFF ARE 
KEY. 
 
14. (S) WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WFP ADAPT THE SAME DUTIES FOR 
THE SOUTH/CENTRAL REGION THAT IT CURRENTLY ASSUMES IN THE 
NORTH, WITH SOME ADDITIONAL ONES.  THE MOT STAFF COULD 
CONTINUE THEIR SAME DUTIES BUT WITH CLOSER OVERISIGHT AND 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06153  04 OF 05  301329Z 
DIRECTION FROM WFP.  THESE DUTIES WOULD INCLUDE MAKING 
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL (IF SANCTIONS WERE LIFTED) TENDERS 
FOR THE FOOD, CONTRACTING THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL 
TRANSPORT, MANAGEMENT OF THE PIPELINE, MAINTENANCE OF THE 
BENEFICIARY DATABASE FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, AND OVERSEEING 
THE MILLING AND STORAGE OPERATION.  (NOTE:  WE UNDERSTAND 
THERE IS SOME SKIMMING TAKING PLACE ON THE INTERNATIONAL 
PURCHASES.  WFP WOULD HAVE THE TOUGH JOB OF CLEANING THIS UP. 
 END NOTE.) 
 
15. (S) IN ORDER FOR WFP TO HAVE MONEY FOR THE FOOD 
PURCHASES, THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO GIVE WFP LEGAL 
OWNERSHIP OF THE CURRENT OIP FOOD CONTRACTS.  AND AS REPORTED 
IN REF B, WFP NEEDS TO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE IN A 
POST-CONFLICT ZONE DETERMINE THE STATUS OF EACH OF THE 
FOLLOWING: 1)  HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY; 2) WHAT IS LEFT OF 
THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN EACH AREA; 3)  THE INSTITUTIONAL 
CAPACITIES OF THE VARIOUS OFFICES OF THE MOT; 4) CURRENT 
STOCKS IN COUNTRY AND WHAT IS IN THE OFF PIPELINE.  TO THE 
EXTENT POSSIBLE, USG PERSONNEL SHOULD ASSIST WFP IN THESE 
TASKS. 
 
                          SECRET 
 
                              SECRET        PTQ4272 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06153  05 OF 05  301331Z 
ACTION IO-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   ACQ-00   CIAE-00  COME-00 
      CTME-00  DODE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EAP-00   EB-00    EUR-00 
      E-00     VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   INSE-00  L-00     VCE-00 
      NEA-00   DCP-01   NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   OMB-01 
      IRM-00   SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00 
      EPAE-00  DSCC-00  PRM-00   SAS-00   SWCI-00    /004W 
                  ------------------1E165F  301331Z /07 
O 301137Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7515 
AMEMBASSY AMMAN 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY BERLIN 
AMEMBASSY BERN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2// 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC 
USEU BRUSSELS 3039 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06153  05 OF 05  301331Z 
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL 
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE 
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC 
 
S E C R E T SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 006153 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/EDA 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFP 
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING WFP AND FOOD 
DISTRIBUTION IN IRAQ 
 
16. (S) U.S. MISSION RECOMMENDS THAT ANOTHER MEETING BE HELD 
WITH WFP STAFF IN ROME OR WASHINGTON WITH KEY USG PLANNING 
MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN PERSONNEL THE SECOND OR THIRD WEEK 
OF JANUARY TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION THAT TOOK PLACE ON 
DECEMBER 12.  IF WE DECIDE ON A DATE NOW, WE CAN ENSURE THAT 
KEY WFP PERSONNEL ARE IN THE MEETING SO THAT DETAILED 
DISCUSSIONS REGARDING ALL FACETS OF THE OPERATION CAN TAKE 
PLACE.  AS WAS STATED BY THE CENTCOM STAFF IN THE DECEMBER 12 
MEETING, WFP WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE AFTERMATH OF ANY 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06153  05 OF 05  301331Z 
MILITARY ACTIVITY, AND IT BENEFITS US ALL TO INCLUDE THEM IN 
OUR DIALOGUE. 
HALL 
 
                          SECRET 
 
> 
 2002ROME06153 - Classification: SECRET 


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