Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD451
2006-02-14 15:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
UN DISTRESS OVER STAFF HOUSING AVERTED
how-toVZCZCXRO6672 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHGB #0451 0451515 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 141515Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2682 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0465 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000451
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016
TAGS: PREL PNAT UNSC PTER PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: UN DISTRESS OVER STAFF HOUSING AVERTED
REF: A. USUN 104
B. USUN 45
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000451
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016
TAGS: PREL PNAT UNSC PTER PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: UN DISTRESS OVER STAFF HOUSING AVERTED
REF: A. USUN 104
B. USUN 45
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: UN Special Representative of the Secretary
General (SRSG) Ashraf Qazi met Ambassador Khalilzad on
January 26 and hinted that the UN would re-evaluate its
presence in Iraq if security concerns for housing of its
staff in Baghdad were not addressed. Qazi said the UN was
concerned about security in the Al-Rasheed Hotel when MNF-I
turns over control to the Iraqi Government in early May. SRSG
Qazi raised similar concerns on January 23 with MNF-I General
Casey. MNF-I agreed to minor changes that would address
Qazi's main concerns. On February 1, UN staff met with
PolOff and advised that, with adjustments to the planned
security posture at the Al-Rasheed, Qazi on January 29 had
accepted UN continued presence at the Al-Rasheed hotel for
the next six to eight months. END SUMMARY.
-------------- --------------
UN Unhappy with Planned Al-Rasheed Security Changes
-------------- --------------
2. (C) SRSG Qazi told Ambassador on January 26 that he was
concerned about recent changes in security around the
Al-Rasheed Hotel, where most of the UN staff in Iraq are
housed. Qazi said his staff members were getting nervous as
they saw the concrete "T" walls coming down and more Iraqi
traffic in the area. He said the new UN facility at the old
U.S. Embassy would take 18 months to prepare, and an
alternate site would be needed in the interim. Qazi said the
proposal to have UN staff occupy dedicated floors at the
Al-Rasheed when MNF-I transfers control to the Iraqi
government in May, and U.S.-contracted security is withdrawn,
would be unacceptable. He said the UN would stay at the
Al-Rasheed only if given control over the entire property. A
different dedicated site would also be a possibility despite
JASG reports that no site would be available before October
2006.
3. (C) SRSG Qazi outlined these same concerns on January 23
in a meeting with MNF-I General Casey and General Lynch.
Following this meeting, and in consultation with UNAMI staff,
MNF-I agreed to minor changes that would address Qazi's main
concerns. PolOff met with senior military advisor to UNAMI
Col. Tucker on February 1, who reported that the JASG/RSO
will leave the U.S.-contracted security inside the Al-
Rasheed after May 1 to meet the UN's requirements. JASG will
pay for the security for the remainder of the contract
(through October 2006),and the UN will reimburse all costs.
After October 2006, JASG does not intend to renew the
contract, and the UN will have to make its own arrangements.
JASG agreed to assist UNAMI in identifying alternative
locations for the 120 UN residents currently at the
Al-Rasheed.
4. (C) As reported in ref A, Qazi confirmed that U/SYG Veness
would travel to Baghdad in early February to assess the UN
security situation. A report and recommendations to SYG
Annan will be made on February 28. With the housing problem
apparently resolved, the UN presence in Iraq should not be
threatened. Ambassador told Qazi that the USG wants the UN
to stay in Baghdad and be helpful.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016
TAGS: PREL PNAT UNSC PTER PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: UN DISTRESS OVER STAFF HOUSING AVERTED
REF: A. USUN 104
B. USUN 45
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: UN Special Representative of the Secretary
General (SRSG) Ashraf Qazi met Ambassador Khalilzad on
January 26 and hinted that the UN would re-evaluate its
presence in Iraq if security concerns for housing of its
staff in Baghdad were not addressed. Qazi said the UN was
concerned about security in the Al-Rasheed Hotel when MNF-I
turns over control to the Iraqi Government in early May. SRSG
Qazi raised similar concerns on January 23 with MNF-I General
Casey. MNF-I agreed to minor changes that would address
Qazi's main concerns. On February 1, UN staff met with
PolOff and advised that, with adjustments to the planned
security posture at the Al-Rasheed, Qazi on January 29 had
accepted UN continued presence at the Al-Rasheed hotel for
the next six to eight months. END SUMMARY.
-------------- --------------
UN Unhappy with Planned Al-Rasheed Security Changes
-------------- --------------
2. (C) SRSG Qazi told Ambassador on January 26 that he was
concerned about recent changes in security around the
Al-Rasheed Hotel, where most of the UN staff in Iraq are
housed. Qazi said his staff members were getting nervous as
they saw the concrete "T" walls coming down and more Iraqi
traffic in the area. He said the new UN facility at the old
U.S. Embassy would take 18 months to prepare, and an
alternate site would be needed in the interim. Qazi said the
proposal to have UN staff occupy dedicated floors at the
Al-Rasheed when MNF-I transfers control to the Iraqi
government in May, and U.S.-contracted security is withdrawn,
would be unacceptable. He said the UN would stay at the
Al-Rasheed only if given control over the entire property. A
different dedicated site would also be a possibility despite
JASG reports that no site would be available before October
2006.
3. (C) SRSG Qazi outlined these same concerns on January 23
in a meeting with MNF-I General Casey and General Lynch.
Following this meeting, and in consultation with UNAMI staff,
MNF-I agreed to minor changes that would address Qazi's main
concerns. PolOff met with senior military advisor to UNAMI
Col. Tucker on February 1, who reported that the JASG/RSO
will leave the U.S.-contracted security inside the Al-
Rasheed after May 1 to meet the UN's requirements. JASG will
pay for the security for the remainder of the contract
(through October 2006),and the UN will reimburse all costs.
After October 2006, JASG does not intend to renew the
contract, and the UN will have to make its own arrangements.
JASG agreed to assist UNAMI in identifying alternative
locations for the 120 UN residents currently at the
Al-Rasheed.
4. (C) As reported in ref A, Qazi confirmed that U/SYG Veness
would travel to Baghdad in early February to assess the UN
security situation. A report and recommendations to SYG
Annan will be made on February 28. With the housing problem
apparently resolved, the UN presence in Iraq should not be
threatened. Ambassador told Qazi that the USG wants the UN
to stay in Baghdad and be helpful.
KHALILZAD