SUPPORT FOR UNAMI BAGHDAD PEACE INITIATIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 073557

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2016
TAGS: IZ KDEM PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR UNAMI BAGHDAD PEACE INITIATIVE

REF: BAGHDAD 1491

Classified By: NEA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBERT GODEC FOR
REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)


1. (C) Department welcomes an expanded United Nations role in
Iraq,
including a possible UNAMI-sponsored peace initiative. There
are a number of Iraqi, U.S. and international initiatives,
including the formation of a national unity government,
intended to promote a reduction in internal tensions and
reconciliation. The UNAMI initiative may indeed be worth
exploring as an element in a broader effort, as noted in
reftel.


2. (C) Baghdad should approach appropriate UNAMI
representatives at the earliest opportunity to underline our
interest using the points in paragraph 3. S/I Jeffrey will
be in New York on May 9 for UN consultations and will use the
same points with Qazi and U/S Gambari.


2. (C) Begin points:

-- UNAMI has an important role in Iraq. We welcome its
efforts, as well as an expanded role for the United Nations
there. We agree that efforts to help Iraqis overcome
division and violence are important endeavors at this time.

-- The Baghdad Peace Accord that the UN has begun to
conceptualize and explore with Iraqi leaders is worth
pursuing as an element in the broader effort to encourage
national reconciliation between Iraq's diverse religious and
ethnic groups. We are eager to learn more about the
UNAMI-sponsored plan so that we can provide a more complete
and definitive reaction to the proposal.

-- A number of other groups, including the Arab League, the
Coalition and bilateral partners, are also engaged in
outreach efforts to bring about peace, stability and national
reconciliation in Iraq. We would be interested in hearing
how a Baghdad Peace Accord would be coordinated and
integrated with these other ongoing efforts.

-- It is also important that Iraqis take the leading role in
driving all reconciliation efforts. For this reason, the
center of discussion on this initiative should remain in
Baghdad. The Embassy looks forward to exploring this
possible effort further with UNAMI.

-- The primary mechanism for achieving national
reconciliation continues to be the formation of an effective
government of national unity responsive to all Iraqis based
upon free, fair, democratic elections with wide
participation. The UN and other efforts above that must
build on, and above all, not undercut, the democratic effort.
We hope that the United Nations will continue to encourage
the Iraqi leadership to move forward with government
formation as quickly as possible and to find ways to help
that government demonstrate its effectiveness in serving all
Iraqis.
RICE