IRAQI STATEMENTS ON MNF EXTENSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000810 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2012 TAGS: PREL UNSC IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI STATEMENTS ON MNF EXTENSION REF: USUN 791 (NOTAL) Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Recent press reports quote Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari as stating: "We will ask the (Security) Council to include an article that allows Iraq to enter into negotiations with the United States to reach long-term security arrangements to meet Iraq's security needs bilaterally." Deputy Foreign Minister Abawai is quoted as saying, "Iraq needs a new resolution to determine the shape of the relationship between the two countries and how to cooperate with the U.S. forces." ¶2. (C) Comment and Action Request: Statements such as these could greatly complicate negotiations to secure the UNSC extension of MNF authorities. A clear line needs to be drawn between the content of USG-GOI security arrangements, which should be determined bilaterally, and what is done in the Council. Neither we nor the Iraqis want to give the Russians, Chinese, French or other members of the Security Council a voice in whether we have a long-term security arrangement, or the shape of that arrangement. Iraq does not need, and should not suggest that it needs, authorization from the Security Council to enter into negotiations with the USG on such arrangements. In addition, Iraqi government officials need to be careful not to make statements that could empower other Council members to second-guess the decisions agreed jointly by the USG and GOI. ¶3. (C) With MNF-I, the Council has in effect provided authorization for arrangements worked out between the GOI and MNF (led by the USG) as defined in the letters from former Secretary Powell and Prime Minister Allawi that are annexed SIPDIS to UNSCR 1546. Thus there is no operative text in UNSCR 1546 and subsequent carryover resolutions that addresses the details of those arrangements agreed by the USG and Iraq. It will be important to reinforce these points, and the related discussion between Ambs Khalilzad and Satterfield and Prime Minister Maliki and his advisors recounted in USUN 791. End Comment and Action Request. KHALILZAD