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| Identifier: | 03ROME1220 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 03ROME1220 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Rome |
| Created: | 2003-03-24 13:04:00 |
| Classification: | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY |
| Tags: | EAID AORC PREF EAGR ECON KUNR AORC PREF EAGR ECON KUNR AORC PREF EAGR ECON KUNR AORC PREF EAGR ECON KUNR AORC PREF EAGR ECON KUNR UN WFP EAID UN WFP EAID UN WFP EAID UN WFP EAID UN 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.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 001220
SIPDIS
AIDAC
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01220 01 OF 05 241311Z
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
SA/INS, IO/EDA SWINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/OFDA
BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID, AORC, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, AORC, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, AORC, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, AORC, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, AORC, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, UN, WFP EAID, UN, WFP EAID, UN, WFP EAID, UN, WFP EAID, UN, WFP
SUBJECT: WFP TO LAUNCH IRAQ REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION FOR
2003 - USD 1.23 BILLION
REF: (A) ROME 00030
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
NOT SUITABLE FOR INTERNET POSTING.
-------
SUMMARY
-------
1. (SBU) ON MARCH 26, WORLD FOOD PROGRAM WILL, SUBJECT TO
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01220 01 OF 05 241311Z
THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE UN
COLLECTIVE APPEAL FOR IRAQ, RELEASE A REGIONAL EMERGENCY
OPERATION (EMOP) FOR IRAQ VALUED AT U.S. 1.23 BILLION (1.6
MILLION TONS), BENEFITING UP TO 27.1 MILLION BENEFICIARIES -
COVERING THE PERIOD MARCH 25 -SEPTEMBER 25, 2003. IN PHASE
ONE (FIRST MONTH FROM OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES), WFP PLANS TO
ASSIST 2.1 MILLION VULNERABLE PEOPLE THROUGH LIMITED CROSS-
BORDER OPERATIONS AND REFUGEES IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. IN
PHASE TWO (THE FOLLOWING THREE MONTHS), WFP PLANS SUPPORT TO
ENSURE THAT THE NATIONAL FOOD PIPELINE AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM CONTINUE TO FUNCTION WHILE CONTINUING TO
ASSIST REFUGEES, INTERNALLY DISPLACED AND ESPECIALLY
NUTRITIONALLY VULNERABLE GROUPS. IN PHASE THREE (MONTHS FIVE
AND SIX), WFP ASSUMES THAT THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
WILL BE RE-ESTABLISHED, AND WILL THEREFORE TARGET SOME 4.9
MILLION BENEFICIARIES - 1.3 MILLION REFUGEES, 2.8 MILLION
INTERNALLY DISPLACED AND 700,000 EXTREMELY VULNERABLE.
2. (SBU) THE BUDGET REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRESENT EMOP COVER
THE FULL OPERATIONAL AND SUPPORT COSTS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT
WFP'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS, INCLUDING THE COSTS
OF FOOD COMMODITIES, TRANSPORT, STAFF AND EQUIPMENT
CURRENTLY FUNDED THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS' IRAQ ESCROW
ACCOUNT UNDER UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION (SCR) 986. THIS
IS JUSTIFIED BY THE FACT THAT WFP CANNOT ASSUME THAT FUNDING
FOR THE SCR 986 HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM WILL BE MAINTAINED,
ESPECIALLY AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE CURRENT 180-DAY
EXTENSION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SCR 986, ON JUNE 4, 2003.
HOWEVER, IN THE EVENT THAT A NEW OR REVISED SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION GIVES WFP ACCESS TO APPROVED FOOD CONTRACTS
CURRENTLY IN THE SCR 986 PIPELINE, OR PROVIDES WFP WITH
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01220 01 OF 05 241311Z
FUNDING FOR NEW CONTRACTS AS WELL AS ASSOCIATED OPERATIONAL
COSTS, WFP WOULD IMMEDIATELY REDUCE ITS APPEAL TO DONORS
ACCORDINGLY.
3. (SBU) US MISSION STRONGLY URGES IMMEDIATE U.S. SUPPORT
FOR WFP'S EMOP REQUEST, PARTICULARLY INITIAL CASH
CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WILL ALLOW FOR MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY. END
SUMMARY.
----------
BACKGROUND
----------
4. (SBU) PER REF A, ON DECEMBER 24, 2002, WFP LAUNCHED EMOP
10259.0 "EMERGENCY PRE-POSITIONING OF FOOD COMMODITIES FOR
THE IRAQ CRISIS" THAT ALLOWED FOR THE PURCHASE AND PRE-
POSITIONING OF 5,723 METRIC TONS OF PULSES, VEGETABLE OIL
AND HIGH ENERGY BISCUITS IN COUNTRIES SURROUNDING IRAQ. ON
FEBRUARY 17, 2003 A BUDGET REVISION WAS APPROVED THAT
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4016
PAGE 01 ROME 01220 02 OF 05 241311Z
ACTION AID-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 USNW-00
DOTE-00 SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00
VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 DCP-01
NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 IRM-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SA-00 EPAE-00 PRM-00 DRL-01 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /004W
------------------499DBD 241311Z /38
P 241304Z MAR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8892
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
USEU BRUSSELS 3170
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 001220
SIPDIS
AIDAC
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01220 02 OF 05 241311Z
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
SA/INS, IO/EDA SWINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/OFDA
BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID, AORC, UN, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, WFP
SUBJECT: WFP TO LAUNCH IRAQ REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION FOR
2003 - USD 1.23 BILLION
ALLOWED FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN ADDITIONAL 23,000 METRIC TONS
OF CEREALS. THE PRE-POSITIONING OF SOME 29,000 METRIC TONS
OF COMMODITIES AT A TOTAL COST OF U.S. 16.0 MILLION DOLLARS
PUTS WFP IN A POSITION TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO A
POTENTIALLY LARGE-SCALE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN IRAQ AND
SURROUNDING COUNTRIES.
5. (SBU) CONCURRENTLY, SPECIAL OPERATION (SO) 10257.0
"PREPAREDNESS MEASURES IN VIEW OF A POTENTIAL CRISIS
AFFECTING IRAQ AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES" WAS LAUNCHED AT A
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01220 02 OF 05 241311Z
TOTAL COST OF U.S. 7.5 MILLION, CONSISTING OF CAPACITY
DEVELOPMENT AND AUGMENTATION IN THE AREAS OF
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND LOGISTICS, AND INTENDED TO ENABLE WFP
TO RAPIDLY LAUNCH A COMPLEX EMERGENCY OPERATION AND MEET ITS
INTER-AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR ICT AND
LOGISTICS COORDINATION (UNJLC).
6. (SBU) APPROXIMATELY 480,000 METRIC TONS OF FOOD
COMMODITIES ARE DISTRIBUTED EVERY MONTH TO THE ENTIRE IRAQI
POPULATION THROUGH THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (PDS).
THE SYSTEM IS WELL ESTABLISHED, EFFICIENT AND THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES FOR THE POPULATION. IN THE
15 CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN GOVERNORATES, THE IRAQI MINISTRY OF
TRADE (MOT) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS,
WHILE WFP HAS THE MANDATE TO IMPLEMENT THE DISTRIBUTION IN
THE THREE NORTHERN GOVERNORATES. THE ACTUAL DISTRIBUTION OF
THE FOOD RATION IS UNDERTAKEN BY A COUNTRY-WIDE NETWORK OF
44,000 FOOD AND FLOUR AGENTS (11,000 IN THE THREE NORTHERN
GOVERNORATES AND 33,000 IN THE CENTER/SOUTH).
7. (SBU) THE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF THE PDS FOR THE FOOD
SECURITY OF THE ENTIRE IRAQI POPULATION CANNOT BE
OVERSTATED. ACCORDING TO THE ASSESSMENT OF THE WFP
OBSERVATION MECHANISM IN IRAQ, 60 PERCENT OF THE IRAQI
POPULATION RELY ALMOST ENTIRELY ON THE SCR 986 FOOD RATION
FOR THEIR DAILY SUBSISTENCE. OTHER COPING MECHANISMS FOR
THE PRIMARILY URBAN POPULATION HAVE BEEN HEAVILY ERODED BY
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE SANCTIONS. ANY SIGNIFICANT
DISRUPTION IN THE PDS WOULD HAVE DRAMATIC HUMANITARIAN
CONSEQUENCES FOR THE IRAQI POPULATION WITHIN A VERY BRIEF
PERIOD.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01220 02 OF 05 241311Z
----------------------
WFP'S PLANNED RESPONSE
----------------------
8. (SBU) WFP'S RESPONSE IS TWO-FOLD: SUPPORTING THE PDS
MANAGEMENT WHILE MAINTAINING ITS OWN FOOD PIPELINE FOR AN
INTERIM PERIOD. AS SOON AS FEASIBLE (MONTH TWO ONWARDS), WFP
WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT THE FOOD PIPELINE AND
THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION MECHANISM CONTINUE TO FUNCTION. WFP
WILL ALSO ADDRESS (FROM MONTH ONE) THE EMERGENCY FOOD NEEDS
OF IRAQI POPULATIONS WHO WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE PDS.
THIS WOULD INCLUDE REFUGEES IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES;
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS), WHO WOULD NO LONGER BE
ABLE TO COLLECT THEIR FOOD RATION FROM THE FOOD AGENT THEY
ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED WITH; AND VULNERABLE GROUPS WITHIN
IRAQ (THROUGH LIMITED CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS), FOR WHOM
SPECIAL ATTENTION IS REQUIRED.
9. (SBU) IN MONTHS TWO THROUGH FOUR, WFP PLANS TO REACH UP
TO 27.1 MILLION BENEFICIARIES (MONTHLY) DURING THIS PERIOD,
INCLUDING REFUGEES IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, IDPS AND THE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4017
PAGE 01 ROME 01220 03 OF 05 241311Z
ACTION AID-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 USNW-00
DOTE-00 SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00
VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 DCP-01
NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 IRM-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SA-00 EPAE-00 PRM-00 DRL-01 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /004W
------------------499DCB 241312Z /38
P 241304Z MAR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8893
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
USEU BRUSSELS 3171
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 001220
SIPDIS
AIDAC
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01220 03 OF 05 241311Z
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
SA/INS, IO/EDA SWINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/OFDA
BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID, AORC, UN, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, WFP
SUBJECT: WFP TO LAUNCH IRAQ REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION FOR
2003 - USD 1.23 BILLION
EXCEEDINGLY VULNERABLE.
10. (SBU) IN MONTHS FIVE AND SIX, WFP ASSUMES THAT THE
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WILL BE RE-ESTABLISHED, AND WILL
THEREFORE TARGET SOME 4.9 MILLION BENEFICIARIES - 1.3
MILLION REFUGEES, 2.8 MILLION INTERNALLY DISPLACED AND
700,000 EXTREMELY VULNERABLE.
11. (SBU) WFP HAS ESTABLISHED TO VARYING DEGREES WORKING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH TURKEY, SYRIA, IRAN AND JORDAN ON
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01220 03 OF 05 241311Z
COOPERATION RELATED TO POSSIBLE INFLUXES OF REFUGEES INTO
THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES.
12. (SBU) NOTE: WFP'S FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL POPULATION OF
IRAQ BY GOVERNORATE, INCLUDING INFANTS, ARE THOSE CONTAINED
IN THE SCR 986 DISTRIBUTION PLAN (DP) SUBMITTED TO THE
SECRETARY-GENERAL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ FOR PHASE XIII
SIPDIS
(5 DECEMBER 2002 - 4 JUNE 2003). CASELOAD ESTIMATES,
EXCLUDING THE SCR 986 CASELOAD FOR THE GENERAL FOOD RATION
CONTAINED IN DP XIII, WILL BE THE OBJECT OF CONSTANT REVIEW
AND RE-ASSESSMENT BY WFP, BASED ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE
EMERGENCY SITUATION. END NOTE.
------------------
WFP IMPLEMENTATION
------------------
13. (SBU) THE UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES IN IRAQ HAVE NOW
LOCATED TO A COMMON HUMANITARIAN CO-ORDINATION CENTRE BASED
IN LARNACA, CYPRUS, AND STAFF HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED IN
COUNTRIES NEIGHBOURING IRAQ. WFP'S RESPONSE TO THE IRAQ
REGIONAL CRISIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF
THE OCHA-CO-ORDINATED INTER-AGENCY HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE FOR
IRAQ. THE UNITED NATION'S HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR IRAQ
HAS BEEN DESIGNATED TO ASSUME A REGIONAL CO-ORDINATION ROLE
FOR THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO IRAQ.
14 (SBU) AS SOON AS THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COORDINATOR
APPROVES THE RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL STAFF, EVEN IF ONLY ON
A DAY-TRIP BASIS, OPERATIONAL NORMS WILL BE INCREASINGLY
RESUMED. THE HIGHEST PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO RESUMING IN-
COUNTRY OPERATIONS IN ORDER TO STEM ANY OUTFLOW OF REFUGEES
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01220 03 OF 05 241311Z
OR IDP MOVEMENT.
15. (SBU) UPON RE-ENTRY OF INTERNATIONAL STAFF INTO IRAQ,
WFP IS PLANNING ON SETTING UP AND EQUIPPING AN APPROPRIATE
NETWORK OF OFFICES AND FACILITIES, INCLUDING IT,
COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT, COVERING THE 18
GOVERNORATES. THIS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN A STAGED MANNER,
SUBJECT TO A PERMISSIBLE ENVIRONMENT.
16. (SBU) IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS OPERATION WILL REQUIRE A
MASSIVE GEARING UP OF STAFFING LEVELS IN THE NEIGHBORING
COUNTRIES, BUT PRIMARILY WITHIN IRAQ UPON RE-ENTRY. THE
PRESENT BUDGET PROVIDES FOR A TOTAL OF 334 INTERNATIONAL
PROFESSIONALS AND 3,000 NATIONAL STAFF, OF WHOM 40 PERCENT
AND 65 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY WILL BE REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY
UPON RE-ENTRY. THE ROLE OF NATIONAL STAFF WILL BE
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT UPON RE-ENTRY, TO SUPPORT EXTENSIVE
FIELD OPERATIONS, INCLUDING LOGISTICS AND FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT. PROVISION IS ALSO MADE TO AUGMENT STAFF CAPACITY
IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES AND OF VARIOUS HEADQUARTERS UNITS
TO COPE WITH A MASSIVE AND CONCENTRATED INCREASE OF THE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4020
PAGE 01 ROME 01220 04 OF 05 241312Z
ACTION AID-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 USNW-00
DOTE-00 SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00
VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 DCP-01
NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 IRM-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SA-00 EPAE-00 PRM-00 DRL-01 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /004W
------------------499DDB 241312Z /38
P 241304Z MAR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8894
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
USEU BRUSSELS 3172
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 001220
SIPDIS
AIDAC
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01220 04 OF 05 241312Z
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
SA/INS, IO/EDA SWINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/OFDA
BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID, AORC, UN, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, WFP
SUBJECT: WFP TO LAUNCH IRAQ REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION FOR
2003 - USD 1.23 BILLION
WORKLOAD ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS EMOP.
17. (SBU) PRESENTLY, WITHIN IRAQ, WFP RETAINED TEAMS OF TEN
NATIONAL OBSERVERS IN EACH GOVERNORATE. OF THESE, THREE
TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED NATIONAL STAFF HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED
TO LEAD THE TEAM TO CARRY OUT NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, COORDINATE
WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES, AND ORGANIZE THE RECEIPT,
DISTRIBUTION AND MONITORING OF THE FOOD. THESE STAFF WILL
BE TASKED WITH THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF ASSESSING
THE FUNCTIONING OF THE PDS, THE ABILITY OF THE FOOD AGENTS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01220 04 OF 05 241312Z
TO COLLECT AND DISTRIBUTE THE FOOD, AND TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE
BOTTLENECKS SUCH AS THE SHORTAGE OF FUEL OR SPARE PARTS FOR
FOOD AGENTS. UPON RE-ENTRY, THEY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE
IDENTIFICATION OF ANY MAJOR INTERVENTIONS THAT MAY BE
REQUIRED VIS-A-VIS THE PDS IN THE POST-CONFLICT SITUATION.
THESE TEAMS WILL BE FURTHER AUGMENTED WITH SUPPORT STAFF
(ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS) DEPLOYED THROUGH A PRIVATE
CONTRACTOR FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES TO MOTIVATE AND
ORGANIZE MINISTRY OF TRADE (MOT) STAFF STILL OPERATIONAL IN
EACH GOVERNORATE CAPITAL. COMMUNICATION WITH THE STAFF IN
THE INITIAL STAGE WILL BE BY A POUCH SYSTEM WITH ARRIVING
FOOD TRUCKS, AND ANY OTHER OPERATIONAL MEANS INCLUDING
TELEPHONE TRUNK LINES AND NGO HF FACILITIES WHERE AVAILABLE.
18. (SBU) DUE TO THE POSSIBLE DISRUPTION OF THE PDS, WFP
WILL BE EXPECTED TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE DISTRIBUTION
MECHANISM FROM EXTENDED DELIVERY POINTS (EDPS) TO THE FINAL
DELIVERY POINTS (FDPS) AND BENEFICIARIES, AND TO IDENTIFY
AND ADDRESS POSSIBLE BOTTLENECKS IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.
TO THIS EFFECT, WFP WILL EMPLOY NATIONAL STAFF IN EACH
GOVERNORATE AND INTENDS TO CONTRACT PRIVATE CONSULTANTS AND
ENGAGE NGOS TO BE DEPLOYED IN EACH GOVERNORATE, TO PROVIDE
SUPPORT TO THE MOT'S MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS STRUCTURES, AS
WELL AS TO FOOD AGENTS.
19. (SBU) SUPPORT MAY INVOLVE THE PROVISION OF FUEL TO FOOD
AGENTS TO ENABLE THEM TO CARRY ON THE COLLECTION OF
COMMODITIES FROM EDPS TO FDPS, DIVERSION OF LONG-HAUL TRUCKS
DIRECTLY TO FDPS WHERE NEEDED, AND/OR WFP PROVIDING
TRANSPORT CAPACITY THROUGH THE HIRING OF LOCAL TRANSPORT TO
EFFECT DELIVERIES TO FDPS. DURING THE CONFLICT, IT IS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01220 04 OF 05 241312Z
ENVISAGED THAT MOT STAFF MAY BE PROVIDED WITH IN-KIND
PAYMENTS OF FOOD IN LIEU OF CASH AS INCENTIVES, GIVEN THE
RISK EXPECTED IN MOVEMENT OF CASH FUNDS IN AN INSECURE
ENVIRONMENT AND THE POSSIBLE DISRUPTION OF GOVERNMENT
PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS.
20. (SBU) APPROXIMATELY 1,609,500 METRIC TONS OF FOOD
COMMODITIES WILL BE MOVED INTO IRAQ OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD.
GIVEN THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE CONFLICT, THE REGIONAL
LOGISTICS STRATEGY IS CENTRED ON A DIVERSIFICATION OF
CORRIDORS, ROUTES AND MODALITIES AND A HIGH DEGREE OF
FLEXIBILITY TO SWITCH BETWEEN THEM AT SHORT NOTICE. WFP IS
ESTIMATING FOR PLANNING PURPOSES THAT FIVE PER CENT OF THE
FOOD REQUIRED FOR THIS OPERATION WILL BE PROCURED LOCALLY OR
REGIONALLY. A KEY ASSUMPTION FOR THIS EMOP IS THAT THE PORT
OF UMM QASR WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE INITIALLY. HENCE, WFP
WILL RELY ON CORRIDORS THROUGH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.
LOGISTICS ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN ADVANCED STAGES IN THESE
COUNTRIES, WITH PORT AND ROAD CAPACITY ASSESSMENTS
FINALIZED, AND STANDBY TRANSPORT CAPACITY NEGOTIATED.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4022
PAGE 01 ROME 01220 05 OF 05 241312Z
ACTION AID-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 USNW-00
DOTE-00 SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00
VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 DCP-01
NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 IRM-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SA-00 EPAE-00 PRM-00 DRL-01 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /004W
------------------499DE5 241312Z /38
P 241304Z MAR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8895
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
USEU BRUSSELS 3173
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 001220
SIPDIS
AIDAC
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01220 05 OF 05 241312Z
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
SA/INS, IO/EDA SWINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/OFDA
BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID, AORC, UN, PREF, EAGR, ECON, KUNR, WFP
SUBJECT: WFP TO LAUNCH IRAQ REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION FOR
2003 - USD 1.23 BILLION
21. (SBU) GIVEN THE HIGH PORT OFF-TAKE AND TRUCKING CAPACITY
IT OFFERS, JORDAN WILL MOST LIKELY BE THE LARGEST OF THE
MAIN SUPPLY ROUTES. ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE WITH
PORT AUTHORITIES AT AQABA TO DISCHARGE UP TO THREE VESSELS
SIMULTANEOUSLY AND CONTRACTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING CONCLUDED
WITH JORDANIAN TRANSPORTERS. TOTAL CAPACITY THROUGH THE
JORDAN CORRIDOR IS ESTIMATED AT 300,000 METRIC TONS PER
MONTH, FAR IN EXCESS OF THE NEEDS UNDER THIS EMOP. TURKEY
WILL BE A MAJOR CORRIDOR FOR DELIVERIES TO NORTHERN IRAQ AND
TRANSPORTERS HAVE BEEN LINED UP TO WORK OUT OF A NUMBER OF
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01220 05 OF 05 241312Z
DIFFERENT PORTS, INCLUDING ISKENDERUN AND MERSIN, FOR A
THROUGHPUT OF 100,000 METRIC TONS PER MONTH. THE USE OF SEA
PORTS IN LEBANON, SYRIA, KUWAIT AND IRAN ARE ALSO PART OF
WFP'S STRATEGY TO TAKE UP THE BALANCE OF REQUIREMENTS, AND
ON-FORWARDING ARRANGEMENTS TO IRAQ ARE IN PLACE.
------------
WFP SECURITY
------------
22. (SBU) SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE OF THE HIGHEST
PRIORITY DURING THE EVACUATION, CONFLICT AND RE-ENTRY PHASES
OF THE EMOP. TO THIS END, WFP IS DEPLOYING SECURITY OFFICERS
TO NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND IS WORKING IN CLOSE
COLLABORATION WITH THE REGIONAL FIELD SECURITY OFFICER (FSO)
IN LARNACA AND THE DESIGNATED OFFICIALS IN THE CONCERNED
COUNTRIES.
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COMMENT
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23. (SBU) THIS IS THE LARGEST WFP APPEAL IN ITS HISTORY. US
MISSION STRONGLY URGES IMMEDIATE U.S. SUPPORT FOR WFP'S EMOP
REQUEST, PARTICULARLY INITIAL CASH CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WILL
ALLOW FOR MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY.
24. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. HALL
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2003ROME01220 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
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