UN SRSG QAZI'S RESPONSE TO DRAWDOWN CONCERNS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004656 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL PHUM IO UN IZ SUBJECT: UN SRSG QAZI'S RESPONSE TO DRAWDOWN CONCERNS REF: A. BAGHDAD 4593 ¶B. BAGHDAD 4581 Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador expressed strong concern December 20 to UN Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Ashraf Qazi over a planned UNAMI reduction of staff in Iraq. The Ambassador pressed Qazi on the reason for the drawdown and stressed the continuing need for strong UN engagement in the key areas of constitutional revision and national reconciliation. In response, Qazi outlined his concerns over security, emphasizing the zero tolerance HQ UN has for risk in Iraq by claiming that just one UN death here could precipitate a total UNAMI pull out. Qazi told Ambassador the transition to a new Secretary General has put UNMAMI in a holding pattern and that a comprehensive security review will take place in January which could raise the reduced manning ceiling from 55 to as high as 65. END SUMMARY. -------------- UN'S ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RISK -------------- ¶2. (C) On December 20, Ambassador met with SRSG Ashraf Qazi to express strong concern over a planned 40 percent UNAMI reduction of staff in Iraq (Ref A). The Ambassador emphasized to Qazi the impact such a decision will have, particularly at such a critical juncture in Iraqi's history and at this particular phase in the development of democracy in Iraq. ¶3. (C) Qazi told the Ambassador the decision to draw down was based on strong security concerns, saying there was now a zero tolerance for risk at HQ UN and a belief in the rising likelihood there would be a security incident within the IZ itself. The Ambassador pressed Qazi on this issue. Stating we were all at risk, Ambassador asked Qazi to explain what was meant by zero tolerance and if the UN had specific intelligence UNAMI was being targeted. Qazi said they did not, there was an elevated general concern that someone could smuggle weapons or an explosive into the International Zone (IZ) and mount an attack. Qazi told Ambassador the concern was so great at HQ UN that if a UN employee were to be killed, he feared UNAMI would be forced to "pack up and leave." ¶4. (C) Qazi told the Ambassador that the UN would be conducting a security review in January and there was some flexibility in the now reduced staffing ceiling, which could be raised from 55 to as high as 65 (Ref B). As part of this review, UN Undersecretary General for Safety and Security, David Vaness, is expected to visit Baghdad. In addition to concern over a specific incident or indirect fire, Qazi also noted more general concerns over changes in the configuration and security of the IZ as the US prepared to move into the new embassy compound and expressed a need for close coordination on this issue. -------------- LACK OF "POLITICAL SPACE" FOR UNAMI -------------- ¶5. (C) In addition to security concerns, Qazi also expressed frustration over what he called a "lack of political space" that UNAMI has been given to work within. Qazi said that in what should be its core area, reconciliation, UNAMI is underutilized and not being asked to help or engaged by the Iraqi political parties. He said the mood within the Constitutional Review Committee is to "go slow." The Shia are unwilling to make any significant concession to the Sunni on the Constitution or accept UNAMI advice on anything other then minor technical issues. Speaking more broadly, Qazi said that the transition to a new UN Secretary General has put UNAMI into a holding pattern and they can not pursue any new initiatives at this time without the UN itself providing clarity on what role UNAMI might play. Qazi expressed optimism that expected high level talks in New York with the US early next year will result in a well coordinated and synchronized effort between the US and UNAMI in Iraq. ¶6. (C) Ambassador stressed to Qazi that despite the difficulties, UNAMI's role in Iraq is critical. UNAMI can and must have people on the ground who can engage contacts. Strong engagement by the UN through UNAMI on the core areas of human rights, democracy and reconciliation will make all the difference and UNAMI must take the lead on constitutional reform. Ambassador concluded by urging Qazi to push for full UNAMI engagement and higher manning levels as a commitment to BAGHDAD 00004656 002 OF 002 the Iraqi and her people. KHALILZAD