# Presentation: 375432

## Iraq Weekly Status Report

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**Iraq Weekly Status Report**

**December 13, 2006**

**Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs****US Department of State**

## Table of Contents

**SLIDE**

**SECTION**

_**Highlights**_**	**
**1.  **_**Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgents**_**	**
**2.  **_**Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance**_ **	**
**3.  ****	**_[Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government](slide8.xml)__[                                   ](slide8.xml)_
**4.  **_[Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services](slide10.xml)__[                                                  ](slide10.xml)_
**5.  **_[Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy](slide16.xml)__[                     ](slide16.xml)_
**6.  **_[Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law](slide23.xml)__** and Promote Civil Rights**__                                                  _
**7.  **_[Increase International Support for Iraq](slide24.xml)_
**8.  **_[Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents ](slide26.xml)_
_**Special Addendum: Provincial Reconstruction Teams**_
- _[Sources and Contact Information](slide27.xml)__	_
- _[Notes ](slide28.xml)__[and Source Citations](slide33.xml)_**	**

-  This report provides weekly updates in the eight key areas identified as pillars
-  of US government policy for victory in Iraq.

**3**
**5**
**7**
**10**
**13**
**17**
**26**
**27**
**29**
**31**
**32**
**33**

## Highlights

**Highlights**

**Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgents**Approximately 40 shaykhs from across Diyala province met December 7 at Forward Operating Base Falock, an Iraqi Army base, to discuss ways to maintain peace and stability throughout the province and to continue their efforts toward a united cooperation between the Iraqi government and local tribal communities.
**Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance**More than 100 officials from Iraqi military schools and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, as well as Coalition and NATO advisors, attended the Iraqi National Military Schools Training Conference December 2-4.  The Conference focused on military training school issues including: adopting common standards for all military specialties, standardizing programs of instruction and addressing the required number of instructors needed at various training facilities.** **
**Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government**Press reports say a number of** **Iraq’s political parties are in talks to form a coalition whose aim is to end the ability of extremists of all ethnicities to block the progress of the government.
**Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services** The Salaam Logistics and Supplies Company completed work November 16 at the Uruk highway patrol station in Muthanna province.  The $1.9 million Iraq Reconstruction and Relief Fund project gives 159 police officers a clean, functional and modern facility that will improve the quality of life and morale of the officers in Muthanna.

## Highlights

**Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law**A nephew of Saddam Hussein serving a life sentence in a northern Iraqi prison escaped December 9.  Authorities believe it was an inside job and are taking steps to apprehend those responsible.
**Increase International Support for Iraq **Syria and Iraq re-opened their embassies in each other’s capitals December 11, ending more than two decades of diplomatic boycott since Syria sided with Iran during the Iraq-Iran war.  Both governments had previously agreed to restore full diplomatic ties last month during a visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Moualem to Baghdad.
**8.****	****Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of  the Insurgents **An Iraqi cameraman for US-based Associated Press Television Network was killed December 12 in Mosul.  City police said that Aswan Ahmed Lutfallah was shot while getting his car repaired in an industrial area in east Mosul.

**Highlights**

## [1.] Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgency 

- _Diyala Shaykhs Meet with IA and Coalition Forces to Discuss Security, Stability_:
- Approximately 40 shaykhs from across Diyala province met December 7 at Forward Operating Base Falock, an Iraqi Army (IA) base, to discuss ways to maintain peace and stability throughout the province and to continue their efforts toward a united cooperation between the Iraqi government and the local tribal communities.
- The discussions, which were hosted by the governor of Diyala and the 5th IA Division commander, addressed several key points including: tribes prohibiting the support of anti-Iraqi forces, tribes prohibiting Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and vehicle-borne IEDs in their tribal areas, reverting to the tribal defense of homes rather than conducting offensive operations and tribes supporting the re-settlement of displaced persons in their tribal areas.  The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) present also committed to support the rule of law, allowing citizens to possess properly registered firearms consisting of one rifle or pistol with 30 rounds of ammunition, and agreed that they will not confiscate personally owned automobiles unless there is evidence of a criminal case.

## [1.] Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgency 

- _IA Soldiers Discover and Destroy IED Factory_:
- Soldiers from the 5th IA Division, with Coalition advisors, discovered an IED factory inside a house in Baquba December 9.  The factory contained rocket-propelled grenades, small arms munitions, 1,000 pounds of fertilizer, blasting caps and timers, fuel containers, several hundred feet of detonation cord, two compressed air tank IEDs and other IED-making materials.  After discovery, a Coalition Forces explosive ordnance disposal unit conducted a controlled detonation of the material.
- _Iraqi Special Forces Capture Terrorist Leader_:
- IA Special Forces, with Coalition advisors, captured a terrorist leader in Fallujah December 7 responsible for directing abductions and executions, as well as sniper, IED, and car bomb attacks against ISF.  Additionally, the leader was a senior al-Qaida in Iraq leader in the area and controlled several insurgent groups operating in Anbar province.

**Notes:**
1.0 Sources:

MNSTC-I, The Advisor – 9 December 2006.

MNSTC-I, The Advisor – 9 December 2006.

## [2.] Transition to Security Self-Reliance – Iraqi Security Forces

- _Ministry of Defense Holds National Military Schools Training Conference_:
- Senior Iraqi military leaders representing the Ministry of Defense’s 18 military schools met in Baghdad last week to discuss the future of Iraqi military training. More than 100 officials from Iraqi military schools and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, as well as Coalition and NATO advisors, attended the National Military Schools Training Conference December 2-4.  The Conference focused on military training school issues including: adopting common standards for all military specialties, standardizing programs of instruction and addressing the required number of instructors needed at various training facilities.
- _Iraqi Police Graduate Training_:
- The Iraq Police Service (IPS) graduated 467 students from basic training courses the last week of November.  The same week, 377 students completed the three-week Transition Integration Program course and 90 completed the three-week Officer Transition Integration Program.
- 160 police also graduated from specialized and advanced courses in Baghdad including: Basic and Advanced Investigations, Internal Affairs, Interviews and Interrogations, Executive Leadership and Basic Instructor Development courses.
- The Department of Border Enforcement also graduated 40 students from a basic training course in Sulaymaniyah.

**Notes:**
2.0 Sources:

MNSTC-I, The Advisor – 9 December 2006.

International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) Report – 2 December 2006.

## [2.] Transition to Security Self-Reliance – Iraqi Security Forces

## [2.] Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance – Iraqi Security Forces

**     **_**Ministry of Interior Forces**_

_**Ministry of Defense Forces**_

- Data as of December 11, 2006 (updated bi-weekly by DOD)

*** Ministry of Interior Forces: Unauthorized absence personnel are included in these numbers**
**** Ministry of Defense Forces: Unauthorized absence personnel are not included in these numbers**
***** Army numbers include Special Operations Forces and Support Forces**
****** Does not include the approximately 144,000 Facilities Protection Service personnel working in 27 **
**ministries**

_**Total Trained & Equipped ISF:**_
**~323,000******

| COMPONENT | OPERATIONAL   |
| --- | --- |
| ARMY | ~132,700*** |
| AIR FORCE | ~900 |
| NAVY | ~1,100 |
| TOTAL | ~134,700** |

| COMPONENT | TRAINED & EQUIPPED  |
| --- | --- |
| POLICE  | ~135,000*** |
| NATIONAL POLICE | ~ 24,400 |
| OTHER MOI FORCES | ~28,900 |
| TOTAL | ~188,300** |

**Notes:**
DoD Input to Iraq Weekly Status Report November 29, 2006

## [3.] Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government– Developments

- _Iraqis Consider Ways to Deal with Violence_:
- Several of Iraq’s major political parties are in talks to form a coalition whose aim is to strengthen the government of Prime Minister Maliki to deal with extremist violence.
- The talks are taking place among the two main Kurdish groups, the Iraqi Islamic Party and the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI).  They have invited Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and other parties to join them.
- _Minister of State for National Dialogue Sets Conference Date_:
- The Minister of State for National Dialogue has set December 16 as the date for a political leaders’ conference to discuss national reconciliation.  This had been postponed to ensure participation of political parties, especially Sunni Arab parties, who have held back from the political process until now.

## [3.] Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government– Developments

- _Iraqi Leaders Blast Iraq Study Group’s Report_:
- Kurdistan Regional Government president Massoud Barzani issued a rejection of the Iraq Study Group's recommendations, saying Kurds “are in no way abiding by this report.”
- Barzani said December 7 that the report contradicts assurances given to Kurdish officials by study group co-chair James Baker before the report's release.  Baker “assured us that the special status of Kurdistan was taken into account in the report,” Barzani said in a written statement issued December 7.
- Barzani also rejected the study group's call for a “new diplomatic offensive” that would include discussions with all of Iraq's neighbors.
- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani also criticized the Iraq Study Group report, calling some of its recommendations "dangerous" and a threat to his country's sovereignty.  "The report does not respect the will of the Iraqis in dealing with their problems," he said in a statement released by his office.
- Talabani said he was critical of recommendations to embed thousands of US troops with Iraqi Security Forces to train and advise them, to centralize control of the country's oil revenues, and to allow former loyalists of deposed president Saddam Hussein back into their old government jobs.

## [3.] Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government - Iraqi National Unity Government

**Jalal Talabani**

**President**

**[3.] Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government** - **Iraqi National Unity Government**

- (F) = Female

## [4.] Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services –Financials from Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) 1 and IRRF 2

**[4.] Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services –****Financials from**** ****Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) 1 and IRRF 2**

**As of December 12, 2006**

- Apportioned

## [4.] Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services – Electricity Overview 

- During the week of December 6-12, electricity availability averaged 6.6 hours per day in Baghdad and 8.9  hours nationwide.  Electricity output for the week was 8% below the same period in 2005.

**[4.] Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services – ****Electricity Overview **

**Notes:**
The chart shows average daily power production in megawatt hours (MWh).  120,000 MWh goal equates to 20 hours at 6000 MW average supplied load or 24 hours at 5000 MW average supply load.  Currently supplies are not much improved over last year when judged by hours of power, but this is due in part to an influx of new appliances.  This has dramatically altered demand and diluted the effect of increased generation capacity on actual results.

## [4.] Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services –Transportation and Education

- _Transportation:_
- Construction was completed December 6 on the Samawah railroad maintenance center in Muthanna province.  The $8.6 million US Army-funded project upgraded the Samawah maintenance center to operational condition. Upgrades/restorations included improvements to wheel shop machinery, locomotive shop machinery and welding and forging machinery.  The facility will employ 250 mechanics and technicians as one of two important maintenance centers that provide support to the Iraqi railroad system.
- _Education_:
- The Gulf Region Division has completed 99% of planned school renovations. Under the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF), 807 school renovations have been completed to date and one is under construction.  Three new school projects were recently awarded but have not yet started.  Under the Development Fund for Iraq program, 29 additional school renovations have been completed.  These projects will provide improved school facilities for over 320,000 students.

**Notes:**
Transportation:
USACE Daily Report – December 11
Education:
Iraq Reconstruction Report – December 8

## [4.] Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services –Special Interest

- _Special Interest_:
- The Salaam Logistics and Supplies Company completed work November 16 at the Uruk highway patrol station in Muthanna province.  The $1.9 million IRRF project gives 159 police officers a clean, functional and modern facility that will improve the quality of life and morale of the officers in Muthanna.
- Construction was completed on the al-Hamza Bridge project in Qadisiyah province.  The $738,000 US Army-funded project provides invaluable access arteries to vital areas throughout the province and will also help restore regional security.

**Notes:**
Special Interest:
USACE Daily Report – December 7
Iraq Reconstruction Report – December 8

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – Oil Update and Job Creation 

- _Oil Update_:
- Crude oil price averages in world markets for the week ending December 8 closed with the following prices:
- Basrah Light at $57.07/barrel     	– Dated Brent at $63.35/barrel
- WTI Cushing at $62.32/barrel   	– Oman/Dubai at $59.59/barrel
- _Employment Update_:
- The following chart shows the number of Iraqis employed by USG-administered projects:

**Data as of December 12**

- * CERP employment numbers are representative of Baghdad only.

- (Project and Contracting Office)

- (Accelerated Iraqi Reconstruction Program)

- (Military Construction)

**Notes:**
Oil Prices:
Oil Prices are sourced from Bloomberg
Employment Update:
Information regarding the Employment Update was sourced from the IRMO Weekly Report – July 25, 2006 
CERP has not reported figures for some time.  Until they report accurate data, the number will remain at 0.
PCO will be reporting on a bi-weekly basis.  

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy - Banking Sector

- _Central Bank’s US Dollar (USD) Currency Auction_:
- The following table shows volume sold and exchange rates for USD in the Iraqi currency auction since January 3.  Since September, the Central Bank has begun slowly appreciating the dinar, as suggested by the IMF, to tackle rampant inflation over the past year. This welcome increase in the dinar's value against the dollar is reflected in the figure below.

-            US $ Sold (Weekly Avg)                           The New Iraqi Dinar (NID) exchange rate line is calculated as a weekly weighted average (**NID/USD**)

-                     **Central Bank of Iraq**
**USD Currency Auction: January 3, 2006 – December 12, 2006**

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – Securities Markets

- _Trading of Iraqi Bonds on the International Secondary Bond Market_:
- The following table shows the daily bond resale price and yield on Iraqi bonds issued January 20.  The bonds were originally issued to about two-thirds of Iraq’s commercial creditors as part of a debt exchange arrangement at Paris Club terms.  Iraq’s commercial debt was approximately $22 billion before the debt-swap arrangement.  The bonds, which are not yet rated, will mature in 2028.  The bonds’ current yield of 9.69 percent remains one of the highest in the world for sovereign debt instruments.

- Trading High = $73.98 (January 24)
- Trading Low = $64.66  (August 30)

**Notes:**
Bond Prices:
Iraqi Bond Prices are sourced from Bloomberg

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy –Economic Events

- _Japan Announces Two More Yen Loans_:
- On December 10, Japan announced it had agreed with Iraq on terms for two more concessional loans, worth $700 million, to rehabilitate crude oil export facilities and electricity distribution infrastructure.
- These two loans bring the total number of agreed loan projects to eight, worth $1.6 billion of the total $3.5 billion program.  The Japanese Embassy also indicated that Japan and Iraq have agreed on specific terms for the first four loans, which should allow them to begin processing towards disbursement (they had been held up over Iraqi procedural disagreements).
- _Microfinance Conference_:
- Over 100 Iraqi and international delegates gathered for the first time at a USAID-sponsored conference in Erbil November 14-16 to discuss issues related to microfinance.  A result of the summit will be an action plan to improve and expand this important development activity, which is providing Iraqi entrepreneurs and low-income clients access to finance.

**Notes:**
DoS IIC – Dec 11
Embassy Baghdad Cable (4505) – Dec 10 - Unclassified

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy –Economic Events

- _Hakim Addresses US Chamber of Commerce_:
- Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq leader Abd al-Aziz al-Hakim addressed a group of approximately 15 business leaders at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington on December 6.  Hakim explained that Iraq had consciously opted for a free market instead of a socialist economic system.  At the same time, he said, the Iraqi budget is being increased substantially (from $33 billion in 2006 to $40 billion in 2007) to accelerate rebuilding.  According to Hakim, each province will have between 400-500 ongoing projects.  He asserted that 12 provinces are either secure or nearly secure, and as such are good areas for investment.  In keeping with other remarks during this visit, Hakim emphasized the role of provinces, telling the business community that investors can deal either with the central government or directly with the provinces (citing the investment law’s provisions to this effect).
- _Austrian Airlines to Begin Flights to Iraq December 2006_:
- Austrian Airlines announced the opening on December 11 of the first regular air connection between Europe and Iraq.
- Austrian Airlines chose the city of Erbil, located in the Kurdish-controlled northern part of the country, due to its strong growth potential and because the UN is expected to establish an operational base there.  In addition, a number of international businesses are interested in northern Iraq’s economic development.

**Notes:**
NEA/I SBU O-I for December 6
Embassy Baghdad/MNFI Joint Public Affairs Guidance - December 11

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – Crude Oil Production

-  Weekly Average (December 4-10) of 2.05 Million Barrels Per Day (MBPD)

**[5.]**** ****Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – ****Crude Oil Production**

**Iraqi Oil Ministry Goal:  2.5 MBPD**

**Notes:**
POC Matthew Amitrano, (202) 647-5690

Iraq Petroleum Sector Facts
There are three main refineries in Iraq: Bayji (North), Daura (Baghdad), and Basra (South).
There are several minor refineries (known as topping plants) dotted through the country: Kisik (Mosul), Qarrayah, Haditha, Tikrit, Nassiriyah, Maysan (Amarah), and Samawah.  These primarily produce asphalt and low grade kerosene and diesel.
The majority of Iraq’s oil infrastructure is antiquated and in need of modernization.
Domestically produced refined products (gasoline/benzene, diesel, kerosene, LPG) currently do not meet domestic demand because of sabotage to the pipeline infrastructure.  Iraq will be dependent upon imports until the insurgents cease operations against oil pipelines.

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – Crude Oil Export

**[5.]**** ****Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – ****Crude Oil Export**

- 2005 Revenue Estimate:                 $23.5 Billion
- 2006 Revenue Estimate:	                 $30.1 Billion	(Year to Date)

**Notes:**
2003 = $5.08 billion
2004 = $17.5 billion

Projected revenue implies if the current export rate held for the entire month.
Due to new data, May and June increased slightly – this new data was added 7-19-06.

Al-Faw Terminals: Al-Basra Oil Terminal (ABOT) and Khor al-Amaya Oil Terminal (KAOT)
Production and export are at normal rates.
Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (IT)
The IT line works intermittently since the Iraqis sell the crude oil in lumps.
Iraq-Syria-Lebanon Pipeline (ISLP)
This line has been closed since 2003.
Discussions were held between Iraqi and Syrian government officials, but no timetable has been set up to reopen this line.
In the meantime, Iraq has set up a barter arrangement in which it exports 14KBPD from the Ayn Zalah field to Syria for refined products and electrical production.
Iraq Pipeline through Saudi Arabia (IPSA)
This line has been closed since 1991.  There are no plans to reopen this line.

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – Total Critical Refined Product Supplies

**Note: This is a daily average for the week of December 4 – 10**

**[5.]**** ****Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – ****Total Critical Refined Product Supplies**

**Notes:**
POC Matthew Amitrano, (202) 647-5690

Goals set by the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), a company owned by the Ministry of Oil (MOO).

## [5.] Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – National Stock Levels

**[5.]**** ****Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy – ****National Stock Levels**

**Notes:**
POC Matthew Amitrano, (202) 647-5690

## [6.] Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law and Promote Civil Rights– Iraqi Judicial System

- _Hussein’s Nephew Escapes From Iraqi Prison_:
- A nephew of Saddam Hussein serving a life sentence in a northern Iraqi prison escaped December 9 in what authorities believe was an inside job.  Ayman Sabawi, the son of Hussein's half-brother, was captured last year during a raid near Saddam’s hometown of Tikrit.  He was convicted of possessing illegal weapons and manufacturing explosives for Sunni insurgents.
- Police said Sabawi fled the afternoon of December 9 in a car that had been waiting outside the prison in Badush, about 45 miles west of Mosul.  Authorities are investigating whether night-shift guards helped him escape.
- _CCCI Convicts Four Insurgents_:
- The Central Criminal Court of Iraq (CCCI) convicted four security detainees November 24-30, for various crimes including illegal possession of special category weapons, failure to renew resident identification and illegal border crossing.
- Since its reorganization, under an amendment to Coalition Provisional Authority order 13 in April 2004, the CCCI has held 1,746 trials for Coalition-apprehended insurgents.  The proceedings have resulted in the conviction of 1,505 individuals.

## [7.] Increase International Support for Iraq – Developments

- _Syria, Iraq Re-Open Embassies_:
- Syria and Iraq re-opened their embassies in each other’s capitals December 11, ending more than two decades of diplomatic boycott since Syria sided with Iran during the Iraq-Iran war.  Both governments had previously agreed to restore full diplomatic ties last month during a visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Moualem to Baghdad.
- _Jordan and Iraq Discuss Plans to Combat Terrorists_:
- Jordanian Interior Minister Eid al-Fayez, Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bulani and Iraqi Minister of State for National Security Sherwan al-Waeli met in Amman December 13 to coordinate their strategy and share intelligence on groups such as al-Qaida.  The officials said the two sides wanted to create a reliable system of sharing information on terrorist groups and coordinating action.  Iraqi Ambassador Saad al-Hayani added that they would focus on “fighting terrorism, exchanging information and closer security cooperation between the two brotherly countries.”

## 34 Countries and NATO*

- (including US)
**Support Iraqi Stability Operations**

**25 Countries with forces in Iraq (in addition to US)**

**TOTAL ~ 16,860 Forces**

- Data as of December 8, 2006

**[7.] Increase International Support for Iraq – ****Contributors to Iraqi Stability Operations**

**Albania**
**Armenia**
**Australia**
**Azerbaijan**
**Bosnia-Herzegovina**
**Bulgaria**
**Czech Republic**

**Slovakia**
**South Korea**
**Ukraine**
**UK**

**Denmark **
**El Salvador**
**Estonia**
**Georgia**
**Japan**
**Kazakhstan**
**Latvia**

**Lithuania**
**Macedonia**
**Moldova**
**Mongolia**
**Poland**
**Romania**
**Singapore**

***Note: Fiji participating as a part of the UN mission in Iraq.  **

- *34 includes the 25 countries listed above, the US, Fiji, and six NATO, non-MNF-I countries: Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Turkey

**Notes:**
Source:  DOD Input to Weekly Status Report, updated bi-weekly.

## [8.] Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents – Developments

**[8.] Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents – ****Developments**

- _Iraqi Cameraman Killed_:
- An Iraqi cameraman for US-based Associated Press Television Network was killed December 12 in Mosul.  City police said that Aswan Ahmed Lutfallah was shot while getting his car repaired in an industrial area in east Mosul.
- Last month alone in Mosul, an employee of the state-owned television network was killed, a newspaper reporter was killed and a cameraman with a privately-owned television station was shot dead.
- At least 132 journalists and media workers have been killed across Iraq since March 2003.

**Notes:**
AFP, “Iraqi Cameraman of US News Network Shot Dead in Mosul,” December 12

## [8.] Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents – Developments

**[8.] Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents – ****Developments**

- _Worldwide Reaction to ISG Report_:
- The Iraq Study Group (ISG) report was met with mixed reaction when it was released  December 6.
- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani criticized the report, saying that it contained dangerous recommendations that would undermine his country’s sovereignty and was “an insult to the Iraqi people.”
- The Palestinian Authority welcomed the report’s recommendation for efforts to revive the Middle East peace process.  Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat called the report “very significant.”  However, a senior Israeli official expressed concern at calls in the report for redoubled US efforts to end the Middle East conflict.  The official, who declined to be named, said that “this report is worrisome for Israel, particularly because, for the first time, it mentions the question of the ‘right of return’ for the Palestinian refugees of 1948.”
- President Bush said that the report “provides a straightforward picture of the grave situation we face in Iraq,” and that it “also explicitly endorses the strategic goal we’ve set in Iraq: an Iraq that can ‘govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself.’”

## Special Addendum: Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT)

- To assist Iraq’s provincial governments with developing a transparent and sustained capability to govern, promoting increased security and rule of law, promoting political and economic development, and providing provincial administration necessary to meet the basic needs of the population.
- _Provincial Reconstruction Team Concept_:
- The PRT concept was developed to improve on Regional Embassy Office (REO) and Provincial Support Team (PST) programs.  The PRTs are a civil-military operation led by the civilians with extensive support from US and Coalition Forces.  The PRTs are an integrated capacity-building effort built around Local Governance Program (LGP) and include support from other agencies to cover all key capacity development needs.
- _PRT Operations Status_:
- PRTs have been established in Tamim/Kirkuk; Ninewa/Mosul; Babil/Hillah; Baghdad; Anbar/Ramadi; Diyala/Baquba; Salah ad-Din; Basrah; and Dhi Qar.  PRTs are comprised of representatives from the US Department of State, United States Agency for International Development, Multi-National Force – Iraq, Department of Justice, Gulf Regional Division of the Army Corps of Engineers, Multi-National Corps – Iraq and Coalition partners.
- Interested in working in Iraq?
- Please visit _[http://careers.state.gov/opportunities/iraq/index.html](http://careers.state.gov/opportunities/iraq/index.html)__ for a list of available positions_

**Special Addendum: Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT)**

## Iraq Weekly Status – General Information

- This brief draws from multiple sources.  References are cited on the following pages.
- Please forward all questions and/or comments to:	 NEA-I-IPOG-DL@state.gov

## Notes and Source Citations (1 of 3)

- Slide 5:
- Press Release – MNF-I: December 10, 2006 – Release 20061210-09  (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7963&Itemid=21)
- Slide 6:
- MNSTC-I, _The Advisor_ – 9 December 2006
- MNSTC-I, _The Advisor_ – 9 December 2006
- Slide 7:
- MNSTC-I, _The Advisor_ – 9 December 2006
- International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) Report – 2 December 2006
- Slide 8:
- Press Briefing – MNF-I, MG Caldwell: December 5, 2006 – (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7791&Itemid=30)
- Slide 9:
- DoD Input to Iraq Weekly Status Report December 13, 2006
- Slide 10:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/world/middleeast/12iraq.html?_r=1&hp&ex=1165899600&en=030d629d787fcbfc&ei=5094&partner=homepage&oref=slogn
- "New Security Plan as 37 Killed Across Iraq."  YahooNews.  December 13, 2006
- Slide 11:
- http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/07/kurds.reject/index.html
- “U.S. Reports Rejected by Iraqi President.”  Washington Post.  December 11,  2006
- Slide 12:
- NEA Political Section, NEA-I-POL-DL@state.gov
- Slide 13:
- IRMO Weekly Report, December 12, 2006
- Slide 14:
- POC Bob Means (202) 647-9815
- The chart shows average daily power production in megawatt hours (MWh).  120,000 MWh goal equates to 20 hours at 6000 MW average supplied load or 24 hours at 5000 MW average supply load.  Currently supplies are not much improved over last year when judged by hours of power, but this is due in part to an influx of new appliances.  This has dramatically altered demand and diluted the effect of increased generation capacity on actual results.

## Notes and Source Citations (2 of 3)

- Slide 15:
- 	_Transportation_:
- USACE Daily Report – December 11
- 	_Education_:
- Iraq Reconstruction Report – December 8
- Slide 16:
- 	_Special Interest_:
- USACE Daily Report – December 7
- Iraq Reconstruction Report – December 8
- Slide 17:
- Oil Prices are sourced from Bloomberg
- _Employment Update_:
- Information regarding the Employment Update was sourced from the IRMO Weekly Report – December 12, 2006
- CERP has not reported figures for some time.  Until they report accurate data, the number will remain at 0.
- PCO will be reporting on a bi-weekly basis.
- Slide 18:
- Information regarding the NID auction was gathered from the Central Bank of Iraq’s website: http://www.cbiraq.org
- Slide 19:
- Iraqi Bond Prices are sourced from Bloomberg
- Slide 20:
- DoS IIC – Dec 11
- Embassy Baghdad Cable (4505) – Dec 10 - Unclassified
- Slide 21:
- NEA/I SBU O-I for December 6
- Embassy Baghdad/MNFI Joint Public Affairs Guidance - December 11

## Notes and Source Citations (3 of 3)

- Slide 22:
- Department of State, NEA-I-ECON, 202-647-9885
- Slide 23:
- Department of State, NEA-I-ECON, 202-647-9885
- Slide 24:
- Department of State, NEA-I-ECON, 202-647-9885
- Slide 25:
- Department of State, NEA-I-ECON, 202-647-9885
- Slide 26:
- http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq10dec10,0,4828085.story?coll=la-headlines-world
- http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7971&Itemid=21
- Slide 27:
- http://www.upi.com/InternationalIntelligence/view.php?StoryID=20061211-080641-5832r
- http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061213/ap_on_re_mi_ea/jordan_iraq_terrorism
- Slide 28:
- DOD Input to Weekly Status Report,  updated bi-weekly
- Slide 29:
- AFP, “Iraqi Cameraman of US News Network Shot Dead in Mosul,” December 12
- Slide 30:
- Associated Press, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061211/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq
- Al-Sharqiya/Middle East Online - http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=18655
- Middle East Online - http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=18655
- President’s Radio Address - http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061209.html
- Slide 31:
- NEA Political Section, NEA-I-POL-DL@state.gov