UN/IRAQ: APRIL 17 UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON IRAQ/KUWAIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000816 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC PGOV UNMOVIC IZ KU SUBJECT: UN/IRAQ: APRIL 17 UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON IRAQ/KUWAIT REF: USUN 435 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor William J. Brencick, Reason s: 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Vorontsov: In April 17 consultations, High-Level Coordinator Yuli Vorontsov briefed the UNSC on the repatriation and return of Kuwaiti and third country nationals or their remains. He said there were few substantial developments since December 2005. He commended the Kuwaiti authorities' determination, valued the "constructive stance taken by the new Iraqi authorities" and described " the practical assistance, especially in the area of security, provide by (MNF-I)" as "indispensable." He said he is determined to visit Baghdad when security allows and to engage in substantial discussions once the new government is formed. Vorontsov also offered a personal request that the current trial of Saddam Hussein also consider his crimes against third country nationals. The UK, U.S., Russian and Chinese delegations expressed unqualified support for Vorontsov and his mandate; there was no hint of reconsidering or revising his mandate. The UNSC agreed easily on the UK-drafted press statement (at para 4). ¶2. (U) Boundary Maintenance Project: Lisa Buttenheim, the Director for Asia and Pacific Division in DPKO, briefed the UNSC on the February 11-17 technical assessment mission of the Iraq-Kuwait border (reftel). She said the mission had concluded that 104 of the 106 pillars require refurbishment and 13 of the 28 intermediate markers must be replaced. She said the UN would next submit technical recommendations to the Iraqis and Kuwaitis. With their approval, the UN will prepare contract specifications and solicit bids for a November maintenance mission. This mission would require UN staff and contractors to work on both sides of the border, and the UN will, therefore, request MNF security assistance. U.S. and UK representatives said they would look at how the MNF could assist. Butteinheim underscored the SYG's hope that this Kuwaiti-Iraqi-UN exercise will be a confidence-building measure for the Kuwaitis and Iraqis and that they will develop a bilateral border mechanism following this tripartite exercise. ¶3. (C) UNMOVIC: UNSC President, Chinese PR Wang, said UNMOVIC's Acting Executive Chairman Perricos had written to convey a request from Iraqi PR Sumaida'ie for a copy of the 1996 Full, Final and Complete Disclosure (FFCD) of Iraq's chemical weapons program. The Iraqi request is in the context of preparations for accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Wang noted that Perricos had written " It is our intention to provide the Government of Iraq with the requested FFCD having due regard to issues related to the disposition of proliferation-sensitive documents and materials." Wang said he intends to draft a reply to Perricos in which the UNSC would take note of his intention. This draft will be circulated to UNSC members for approval. Wang also said that Perricos had reiterated his desire to see the summary of the compendium of UNMOVIC's work published as a UNSC document. (Note: USUN PolOff will see Perricos April 19 to ascertain which version of the FFCD he intends to provide the Iraqis, since there are multiple versions, and USUN wants to confirm Perricos will not provide the Iraqis with proliferation sensitive material. End Note) ¶4. (U) Iraq/Kuwait Press Statement. Begin Text. On 17 April, members of the Security Council received a briefing from Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov, the Secretary-General's High-Level Coordinator, on his activities SIPDIS in accordance with paragraph 14 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999). Council members expressed their full support for Ambassador Vorontsov's work and for his continued efforts in pursuit of his mandate. Council members strongly condemned the execution of Kuwaiti and third country nationals by the previous Iraqi regime, in violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. Security Council members agreed that those responsible for these horrendous crimes should be brought to justice. USUN NEW Y 00000816 002 OF 002 Council members again expressed their deepest condolences to all of the families of those missing persons that had now been identified. Members of the Council also expressed their continuing concern for the plight of the families of those missing persons whose whereabouts were still unknown. Members of the Council stressed the importance of the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Subcommittee. Council members welcomed the continuing constructive engagement of the Government of Iraq. Council members were confident that all parties could work towards a satisfactory solution to all of the outstanding humanitarian aspects covered by Ambassador Vorontsov's mandate. Council members agreed to keep Ambassador Vorontsov's mandate under review and recalled that Iraq continued to have international obligations, as set out in paragraph 14 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999). End Text. BOLTON