UN SECURITY COUNCIL REVIEWS MANDATE FOR THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001225 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ SUBJECT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL REVIEWS MANDATE FOR THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ (MNF-I) USUN NEW Y 00001225 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: The UNSC held public and private sessions on June 15 to review the mandate of the Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I) as well as to review Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) and International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) arrangements. Council members voiced unanimous support for the continued role of MNF-I and, with the exception of Qatar, unanimous support for sustaining the DFI/IAMB arrangements. During the meeting, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari called for an increased UN role in his country, increased international support for Iraq by means of an International Compact, and discussed the challenges facing the newly-elected government in Iraq. Several delegations expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Iraq and called on MNF-I and the Iraqi security forces to act in full accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law. At the end of the meeting, the Council adopted the draft press statement previously approved by the Department. End Summary. MNF, DFI / IAMB Review -------------- ¶2. (U) There was unanimous support for the continued role of MNF-I and, with the exception of Qatar, unanimous support for sustaining the DFI/IAMB arrangements. Many countries specified that MNF are still critical in building Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) capacity. ISF capacity, in turn, would be critical for addressing the security issues in Iraq, which have negatively affected economic development, sectarianism, and human rights. During the closed session, Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari, in an apparent effort to display Iraqi "ownership," commented that while MNF-I presence is currently &essential8 it will not be &indefinite.8 Additionally, a fully functioning and capable ISF will allow Iraq to take ownership of both its domestic and foreign affairs. Regarding DFI/IAMB, Qatar commented that &the situation had changed8 and that &it was time to put an end to the mandate of IAMB,8 but noted that it would be for the Security Council to decide. Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari On the International Compact -------------- ¶3. (U) In both public and private UNSC sessions, Zebari provided a participatory framework for an International Compact, including the P-5, UN, World Bank, the Arab League, �A;and regional neighbors to build international support. He also noted that Iraq was, in part, a regional security issue, which requires the international community to increase its shared responsibility. Because of this, an International Compact would be necessary and appropriate. To show existing support for such an initiative, he noted that he had discussed it with EU foreign ministers and that they were receptive. The UK and Tanzania also voiced support for the Compact in their remarks. ¶4. (U) Zebari,s main theme was to internationalize both security and economic assistance efforts in Iraq. At the outset, Zebari noted recent security and political developments (e.g. Zarqawi and the recent ministerial appointments) and cited the continued challenges faced in achieving domestic reconciliation and economic development. Zebari called for an increased UNAMI role in Iraq, to its &maximum capacity,8 noting that hesitancy from UN members to &engage fully in Iraq only encourages the insurgency.8 Furthermore, Zebari cited the UN,s contributions to the constitutional process, humanitarian and electoral assistance, and donor coordination. In his concluding statements, he again called on states to fulfill their donor pledges from Madrid and Amman. Drawing on his "internationalization" theme, Zebari noted a recently agreed upon reconciliation conference, which will be hosted by Iraq and the Arab League in August (Note: This was pushed back from an original date of June 21-22. End Note.). Numerous other speakers supported an Arab League role, led by China (who had requested an Arab League reference in the UNSC press statement) as well as by Denmark, Ghana, Congo, and Peru. Human Rights Concerns -------------- ¶5. (U) Numerous speakers voiced concern over human rights issues, including the UN, Japan, Slovakia, Argentina, Ghana, Congo, and Tanzania. Speaking in the open session, Assistant Secretary General Angela Kane tied human rights violations to SIPDIS security challenges and sectarianism, and noted a growing problem of displaced persons. She stated that there are a total of &approximately 1.3 million IDP,s countrywide.8 Without mentioning specific incidents, Ms. Kane noted that USUN NEW Y 00001225 002.2 OF 002 Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and MNF-I have a &particular responsibility to act in full accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law.8 Furthermore, she called upon the ISF and MNF-I to ensure &full, transparent and effective investigations of all such incidents8 of human rights violations. To address the human rights and IDP issues, Ms. Kane also called upon the establishment of an Independent National Human Rights Commission and a Center for Missing and Disappeared Persons. This initiative was later supported by Congo. UNAMI -------------- ¶6. (U) There was unanimous support for a strong UN role in Iraq. Besides fulfilling the UN mandate as stipulated in UNSCR 1546, A/SYG Kane noted the UN,s intention to strengthen its activities in reconstruction and development. Additionally, she noted that the Iraqi government could advise the UN on how it could best fulfill its mandate. The UN again noted logistical and security concerns making it more difficult for them to fulfill their mandate. Denmark called for an increased UN role, noting that the UN could uniquely contribute to the issue of national reconciliation. Denmark also noted their recent authorization to provide UNAMI with a dedicated aircraft. The UNAMI mandate will be reviewed this August. ¶7. (U) The UK laid out seven areas for which the UN could increase its role in Iraq, including the following: promoting inclusiveness and a rejection of sectarianism; supporting the Constitutional Review process; ensuring effective relations between provinces and Baghdad; assisting successful provincial elections and electoral reform; working to deliver the rule of law and improved human rights; increasing its reconstruction and development activities; promoting greater international support and coordinating donor contributions. BOLTON