Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08BASRAH61, BASRAH DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PROMOTES INVESTMENT IN

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08BASRAH61.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08BASRAH61 2008-06-18 09:25 2011-08-24 16:30 UNCLASSIFIED REO Basrah
VZCZCXRO2093
PP RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHBC #0061/01 1700925
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 180925Z JUN 08
FM REO BASRAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0773
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0356
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHBC/REO BASRAH 0810
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BASRAH 000061 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EINV EPET ENRG ECON KCRM IZ
SUBJECT: BASRAH DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PROMOTES INVESTMENT IN 
SOUTHERN IRAQ 
 
BASRAH 00000061  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
1. (U) Summary:  Since the establishment of the Basrah 
Development Commission (BDC) in October 2007, the British 
Government and the Basrah Provincial Council have been working 
closely on strategies to promote development and attract foreign 
investment in southern Iraq.  The BDC has undoubtedly served as 
an excellent resource in helping local government officials and 
business leaders shape their development strategy for the 
province.  However, supported by the UK-led Provincial 
Reconstruction Team (PRT), BDC initiatives have primarily 
targeted British and regional audiences.  Since its inception, 
the BDC has sparingly reached out to potential American 
investors and, as the commission becomes more entrenched in 
Basrah's economic future, U.S. investors will find themselves at 
a distinct disadvantage absent a comparable U.S. foreign 
commercial presence. End Summary 
 
2. (U) Established in October 2007, the Basrah Development 
Commission (BDC) is a joint UK-Iraqi initiative with two 
principal objectives:  to assist local government in 
implementing a regional development strategy and to promote 
foreign investment.  Since December 2007, the BDC has been 
supported by the British-led PRT; with a large staff funded by 
DFID's Coffey contractors.  Its efforts to support economic 
development have been consistent with Provincial Council 
initiatives, including the council's Provincial Development 
Strategy.   The USD 215 million strategy is the most 
comprehensive plan created and endorsed by the stakeholders who 
live in the province.  It provides a broad picture of economic 
and social development conditions, and it outlines over 2000 
projects covering seven provincial districts and 16 service 
sectors.  As a uniquely local assessment, the BDC and the 
Provincial Council hope the strategy serves as the principal 
tool in developing a coordinated effort to revitalize the 
province's struggling economy.  However, with 70 percent 
shortfall in funding, the Council realizes it must aggressively 
attract foreign investment. 
 
3. (U) As Iraq's economic gateway, Basrah accounts for around 
70% of the country's oil reserves and has its only deep sea 
port.  The region has historically had a thriving agricultural 
sector and was once one of the world's largest producers of 
dates.  Basrah (by air or land) is the traditional port of entry 
for most pilgrims to the Shia holy sites to the North.  The 
province has the potential to develop into a hub for business 
travel and tourism.  Understanding Basrah's importance to the 
overall economic health of the country, promoting foreign 
investment has become Provincial Council's most important 
economic objective.  During an June 3 meeting, Zuhair Ali 
Akbair, General Manager for the Basrah Branch of the Central 
Bank, asked the REO for USG assistance in attracting foreign 
banks to Basrah.  He emphasized the important role foreign banks 
could play in promoting greater security and improving good 
governance, adding that an influx of capital would promote both 
foreign and local investment toward the development of new 
businesses which would, in turn, create long-term employment 
opportunities.  Zuhair also stressed the need for foreign 
assistance in supporting the provinces many state-owned 
enterprises. 
 
4. (U) Absent a locally-based foreign commercial service in 
Basrah, the BDC has taken the lead in serving as the liaison 
between foreign investors and the provincial government.  In 
March, the BDC hosted its first conference, held in Kuwait, to 
engage with investors to discuss how the commission can help 
foreign companies enter the market.  In mid-May, the BDC held 
another event in London for 54 investors interested in 
opportunities across sectors.  The BDC is also developing the 
Basrah Development Fund to address weaknesses in the banking 
system and improve access to credit for local small and medium 
enterprises. 
 
5. (U) During the past two months, the Basrah Governor Mohammed 
Waeli has met with selected BDC Commissioners to discuss the 
development of the Basrah Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA). 
The National Investment Law (No 13 of 2006) mandates the 
establishment of a National Investment Commission and regional 
or governorate level investment commissions with powers to grant 
investment licences, identify strategic investment 
opportunities, promote investment and give effect to and 
guarantee the provisions of the investment law.  The BIPA has 
the vision that Basrah will be a destination of choice for 
discerning foreign and local investors, and the destination of 
choice in Iraq.  According to the Iraq National Investment 
Commission, excluding matters related to oil and gas exploration 
and banking and insurance, no legal investment into Basrah can 
take place without the formation of an investment promotion 
agency and appointment of a suitably qualified Board. Waeli has 
agreed to take the appointment of the BIPA Board forward at the 
earliest opportunity. Once the BIPA is formed, it will be 
charged with attracting investment to Basrah, stimulating 
economic development, and implementing a procedural standard for 
 
BASRAH 00000061  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
trade and investment in the province.  The BDC recently sent a 
BIPA Lead Adviser from London to Basrah to assist with the 
creation of a BIPA Charter, help with the BIPA's organization 
development, and assist in the formulation of the BIPA 
operational and business plan. 
 
6. (U) The specific objectives of BIPA are to promote investment 
and transfer modern technologies in order to contribute to the 
process of developing and enhancing Basrah, and expanding and 
diversifying its production and service base; encourage the 
Iraqi and foreign private sector to invest in Basrah by 
providing the required facilities for establishing investment 
projects and enhancing Basrah's competitive advantage; help to 
protect the rights and property of investors; foster expansion 
of exports and improvement of the balance of payments and the 
balance of trade of Iraq; and foster development of human 
resources based on market demand to create work opportunities 
for Iraqis in Basrah. 
 
7. (U) COMMENT:  Without USG direct involvement, the 
British-Iraqi organized investment plan places future U.S. 
investment at a disadvantage.  In addition to a non-existent 
U.S. role in the development of the provinces legal framework 
for foreign investment, the BDC can potentially influence uneven 
trade and investment restrictions on U.S. businesses and other 
foreign investors in the region.  The aim of the BDC to promote 
foreign investment is salutary and important. Our only concern 
is that it may not cast a wide enough net to attract U.S. 
investors that would be equally important for southern Iraq's 
future.  REO suggests that the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service 
or the REO as its proxy seek to integrate more with the BDC to 
make it truly a Coalition effort.  No PRT U.S. coalition members 
are part of the team.  Credit should be given where credit is 
due, and recognizing that this is a UK initiative supported by 
the UK-led PRT is important, but partnering with the U.S. and 
other coalition countries (Denmark, Romania, Australia) as well 
as other donor nations (Japan, Italy) might lead to more overall 
success.  Failing this, perhaps a companion effort by the USG 
would bear fruit, especially in some obvious areas such as oil 
and gas.  END COMMENT. 
HOWARD