Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD3902
2007-11-30 15:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
NEW UNAMI SRSG TO FOCUS ON ARTICLE 140 IMPASSE
how-toVZCZCXRO1579 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3902 3341504 ZNY CCCCC ZZH ZDK P 301504Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4592 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003902
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA MARKINGS CHANGED)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU IR UN IZ
SUBJECT: NEW UNAMI SRSG TO FOCUS ON ARTICLE 140 IMPASSE
Classified By: Senior Political Advisor David D. Pearce for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003902
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA MARKINGS CHANGED)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU IR UN IZ
SUBJECT: NEW UNAMI SRSG TO FOCUS ON ARTICLE 140 IMPASSE
Classified By: Senior Political Advisor David D. Pearce for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
Senior Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Staffan
De Mistura emphasized in a November 25 meeting with Senior
Political Advisor that resolving the Article 140 impasse is
one of UNAMI's top priorities. "My strategy is to put all my
energy into those initiatives that have momentum, and this
one has momentum," said De Mistura. He said former Deputy
SRSG for Political Affairs Michael Von Schulenburg returned
to New York optimistic after his meetings to discuss the
issue in Kurdistan and Ankara.
2. (C) Senior Advisor agreed that, although Article 140
issues were difficult, it would be dangerous to let them
simmer unaddressed. On the one hand, Kurdish public
expectations were very high; and the Kurdish leadership had
done little to lower them. On the other, the perception
among the Sunni (Arab and Turkmen) population in the north
was that the Kurds and Shia are teaming up to deprive the
Sunnis of their land and rights, and that the Government of
Iraq (GOI) and the coalition are complicit. Al-Qaeda trades
on these fears, so leaving the matter untended feeds into the
insurgency in a very dangerous way.
3. (C) Turning to next steps, De Mistura said he would travel
to Irbil on November 26 to discuss Article 140 with the
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leadership. Senior
Advisor noted that the KRG leadership appears to have
realized that, as a practical matter, an Article 140
referendum will not happen in 2007. But at the same time
they are upset at what they see as GOI foot-dragging on
putting into place any viable and active process.
4. (C) De Mistura said that, like the Irish, Israelis, and
Sri Lankans, Barzani does not want UN Security Council
intervention. "However, I will explain to him that the UN
does not always mean the Security Council, and that we can
provide technical advisors and experts on an issue." De
Mistura thought this technical facilitation approach could be
more palatable to the Kurds. Senior Advisor said it would be
helpful if the GOI could agree soon, if not on resolution of
the issues, then at least on a formula for how to address the
matter. De Mistura agreed, and said he planned to engage
Iraqi leaders on the issue in coming weeks.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA MARKINGS CHANGED)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU IR UN IZ
SUBJECT: NEW UNAMI SRSG TO FOCUS ON ARTICLE 140 IMPASSE
Classified By: Senior Political Advisor David D. Pearce for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
Senior Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Staffan
De Mistura emphasized in a November 25 meeting with Senior
Political Advisor that resolving the Article 140 impasse is
one of UNAMI's top priorities. "My strategy is to put all my
energy into those initiatives that have momentum, and this
one has momentum," said De Mistura. He said former Deputy
SRSG for Political Affairs Michael Von Schulenburg returned
to New York optimistic after his meetings to discuss the
issue in Kurdistan and Ankara.
2. (C) Senior Advisor agreed that, although Article 140
issues were difficult, it would be dangerous to let them
simmer unaddressed. On the one hand, Kurdish public
expectations were very high; and the Kurdish leadership had
done little to lower them. On the other, the perception
among the Sunni (Arab and Turkmen) population in the north
was that the Kurds and Shia are teaming up to deprive the
Sunnis of their land and rights, and that the Government of
Iraq (GOI) and the coalition are complicit. Al-Qaeda trades
on these fears, so leaving the matter untended feeds into the
insurgency in a very dangerous way.
3. (C) Turning to next steps, De Mistura said he would travel
to Irbil on November 26 to discuss Article 140 with the
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leadership. Senior
Advisor noted that the KRG leadership appears to have
realized that, as a practical matter, an Article 140
referendum will not happen in 2007. But at the same time
they are upset at what they see as GOI foot-dragging on
putting into place any viable and active process.
4. (C) De Mistura said that, like the Irish, Israelis, and
Sri Lankans, Barzani does not want UN Security Council
intervention. "However, I will explain to him that the UN
does not always mean the Security Council, and that we can
provide technical advisors and experts on an issue." De
Mistura thought this technical facilitation approach could be
more palatable to the Kurds. Senior Advisor said it would be
helpful if the GOI could agree soon, if not on resolution of
the issues, then at least on a formula for how to address the
matter. De Mistura agreed, and said he planned to engage
Iraqi leaders on the issue in coming weeks.
BUTENIS