1. (C) Summary: The mandate for the UN Assistance Mission for
Iraq (UNAMI) was reauthorized and expanded by UN Security
Council Resolution 1770 (2007) and will expire on August 10,


2008. According to Special Representative for the
Secretary-General (SRSG) Staffan de Mistura, UNAMI is
satisfied with its current mandate and would like the UNSC to
extend it for another twelve months. We support this
recommendation and will pursue a UNSC resolution to this
effect. Post is requested to consult with appropriate
officials in the Government of Iraq (GOI) on a letter
reaffirming Iraq's support of UNAMI and its desire to see
UNAMI,s mandate extended. End summary.

OBJECTIVES



2. (C) Drawing from the information in the summary paragraph
and the suggested text in paragraph 4, Post is requested to
begin consultations with the GOI on a letter to the Security
Council reaffirming Iraq's support for the UNAMI mandate, as
set out in UNSCR 1770. Post is also requested to consult and
coordinate with the UK mission as appropriate.

REPORTING DEADLINE



3. (SBU) Post is requested to keep IO/UNP informed on the
progress of discussions and seek further guidance as needed.
Discussions should result in a letter signed by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs and transmitted to New York no later than
Monday, August 4. (Note: As a point of reference, in 2007,
the GOI transmitted its letter on Monday, August 6, and the
UNAMI resolution was adopted on Friday, August 10. End note.)
IO/UNP POC is Bridget Lines at LinesBM@state.gov or
202-647-7142.

POINTS FOR GOI LETTER



4. (C) Post should encourage the GOI to draw from the
following points in its letter to the UNSC:

-- Support for the extension of UNAMI,s mandate for another
twelve months, recognizing the importance of the role it has
played in implementing its full mandate pursuant to UNSC
resolutions 1500, 1546, 1557, 1619, 1700, and as expanded in
resolution 1770.

-- Appreciation of UNAMI,s expanded role in humanitarian,
economic, and political assistance, at home and in the
region.

-- Support for the presence of the specialized UN agencies,
funds, and programs, in their reconstruction and
stabilization efforts and in their contributions to the
coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance.

-- Support for the leadership of SRSG de Mistura in
encouraging political dialogue and national reconciliation.


-- Appreciation for UNAMI,s partnership in implementing the
International Compact with Iraq and its continuing role in
facilitating regional dialogue through the Expanded Neighbors
Process.

-- Encouragement of UNAMI,s plans to expand its footprint in
Iraq beyond its current presence in Baghdad, Erbil, and
Basrah.
RICE