UNAMI, MNF-I BRIEF SECURITY COUNCIL ON IRAQ

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000899 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED) SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ SUBJECT: UNAMI, MNF-I BRIEF SECURITY COUNCIL ON IRAQ SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIFED ¶1. (U) Summary: At the October 19 debate on Iraq in the Security Council, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe told Council members that the UN was focused on implementing its expanded role as authorized in Security Council Resolution 1770. Pascoe emphasized that the UN "must be given political and humanitarian space" in Iraq, and its ability to talk to all sides "must be respected." Speaking on behalf of MNF-I, Ambassador Khalilzad noted security gains in Anbar, Diyala and Ninewa provinces, and underscored the crucial importance of international and regional engagement. Iraqi PermRep Bayati emphasized his government,s determination to focus on national reconciliation and echoed Ambassador Khalilzad,s emphasis on international and regional engagement. Council members all acknowledged the recent security gains but noted that the security situation remains tenuous, and called on the Iraqi government to focus on national reconciliation and on passing needed legislation. Council members also expressed their concern regarding the humanitarian situation, which the UN described as "worsening." Several Council members called on stricter control and oversight of private security forces. Some, including Russia and France, called for a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq. End summary. U/SYG DISCUSSES UNAMI ¶2. (SBU) Undersecretary for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe told the Council that Iraq still faced enormous challenges, although the security trends in September were better than before. The key priority is Iraq,s wider political reconciliation process, and the UN "stands ready to assist." Pascoe acknowledged the UN,s strengthened role in Iraq, and the expanded mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). He noted that UN staff ceilings in Baghdad and Irbil had increased, and the UN was considering reopening its office in Basra. UNAMI is working to become more self-sufficient, said Pascoe, and he urged the international community to help the UN in this regard. He announced that the Distinct Entity Trust Fund, which pays for the UN,s "middle-ring security" will be exhausted by November. (Note: UN staff told Poloff separately that the Secretary-General will be sending letters asking for new contributions to the ;Trust Fund. They asked for U.S. assistance in following up with prospective donors, once the UN has made their initial request. End note.) ¶3. (U) Pascoe underscored the importance of regional engagement, and said "neighboring countries need to embrace responsible actions." He added that dialogue among the neighboring countries was "encouraging." Pascoe urged that that the UN and UNAMI be given "political and humanitarian space" in fulfilling its mandate. He emphasized that the UN,s ability to talk to all sides "must be respected." THE ROLE OF MNF-I ¶4. (U) Ambassador Khalilzad spoke on behalf of MNF-I, and provided an update of the security, political and economic situation in Iraq. He reinforced calls for international and regional engagement, but noted that Iran and Syria were playing destabilizing roles and "appeared to believe they can benefit from instability in Iraq." He concluded that the security situation in Iraq is transforming, and noted that the Iraqis have stressed the importance of renewing the MNF-I mandate. He said the U.S. intends to put forth a resolution renewing the MNF-I mandate before the end of the year. The UK PermRep, speaking in his national capacity, told the Council that the UK remained dedicated to MNF-I and its role in Iraq, while beginning the transition to "over watch" in the south. He noted that the significant and positive impact on security by MNF-I and Iraqi security forces needed to be followed up with political steps. COUNCIL MEMBERS, IRAQ REACT ¶5. (U) Council members underscored three main themes: 1) concern over the humanitarian situation, especially the growing numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees; 2) the importance of renewed international and regional engagement on Iraq issues, especially the upcoming Expanded Neighbors meeting in Istanbul; and 3) support for an expanded UN mandate. Separately, a number of countries, including Russia, South Africa, Congo and Qatar, criticized the role of private security contractors in Iraq. They expressed support for the Iraqi government,s decision to restrict contractors. Russia said that private security contractors were hurting not only the Iraqi government "but also foreign diplomats in Baghdad, including Russian diplomats." South Africa said contractors risked blurring the line between the military and civilians, and argued they should be subject to international law. ¶6. (U) Russia and France both called for a timeline for the withdrawal of foreign forces in Iraq. Russia said that a "hasty withdrawal" would be bad, but that a timeline for withdrawal is necessary to improve the security situation in Iraq. Russia also noted that any timetable must include "prospects of full withdrawal." France was less prescriptive, and stated its preference for a "withdrawal horizon for foreign forces." South Africa said that the Security Council must exercise greater oversight of MNF-I, to ensure that MNF-I was acting properly under its Security Council mandate. ¶7. (U) Iraqi PermRep Bayati emphasized his government,s dedication to national reconciliation, but said that Iraq needed significant help from neighboring countries and the international community. He said, "Iraq aspires to become an arena for all parties to engage in dialogue rather than a space for settling issues." Bayati emphasized Iraq,s desire to expand the UN,s mandate, in particular the role and presence of the UN,s specialized agencies. Bayati ended with a call for the Security Council to reassess the role of the UN Compensation Committee, which is responsible for compensating neighboring countries following Iraq,s invasion of Kuwait. Bayati asked that the Security Council suspend the UNCC deductions taken from Iraq,s sale of oil, because of Iraq,s tense internal situation. KHALILZAD