RUSSIAN MFA ON DRAFT IRAQ UNSCR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 012592 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC IZ RS SUBJECT: RUSSIAN MFA ON DRAFT IRAQ UNSCR REF: A. STATE 188249 ¶B. STATE 188677 Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells. Reasons: 1.4(B/D). ¶1. (C) We shared reftel documentation, including the draft Iraq UNSCR, on November 21 with Vladimir Safronkov, Chief of the UN Political Affairs Section in the MFA's International Organizations Department. Safronkov said that Russia had no problem with the draft in principle and had so instructed the Russian UN Mission. The UK Embassy here had heard much the same when they approached the MFA on November 17. ¶2. (C) Safronkov noted that Moscow would have preferred a more comprehensive "political" resolution over what is essentially a technical rollover, but understood why the U.S. and UK preferred the latter approach at this time. While the bare bones resolution would work, Russia would like to see the draft incorporate elements that encouraged an inclusive political process in Iraq and underlined the responsibility of Iraqi and Coalition forces to protect diplomats and humanitarian workers in Iraq. Safronkov stressed that Moscow was still focused on bringing to justice those responsible for murdering four Russian diplomats in Iraq during this past summer. He flagged UNMOVIC's future as an issue the Russians would pursue separately. BURNS