UNHQ UPDATES ON UNAMI ISSUES

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000248

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ UNSC
SUBJECT: UNHQ UPDATES ON UNAMI ISSUES



1. (SBU) Summary: During a regularly scheduled trilateral
with the U.S. and UK on March 13, the UN,s Iraq team
provided updates on UNAMI,s revised proposal for a long-term
compound, a request for MNF-I protection during construction
of support facilities for UNAMI at the Baghdad International
airport (BIAP),progress on acquiring a civilian aircraft
dedicated to UNAMI, and an anticipated increase in the number
of UNAMI military advisors to match the expansion of UNAMI
activities. End summary.


2. (SBU) Julian Davis, the UN,s deputy team leader on Iraq,
told USUN and UKUN that the Department of Political Affairs
recently received UNAMI,s official report regarding the
revised proposal for a long-term compound in Baghdad sited
near the New Embassy Compound, including an estimated new
cost revised downward to US$98 million. SRSG de Mistura
plans to address the UN,s budgeting committee, the ACABQ, in
order to personally lobby for the compound. Next steps in
planning for the compound include: 1) receiving a formal
allocation of the site from the Iraqi government; 2)
procuring a lien from the Iraqi government for 25 years; and
3) receiving a more specific commitment from the Iraqi
government regarding the GOI's pledge to help pay for a
portion of the compound,s construction.


3. (SBU) Davis also outlined UNAMI,s plans to begin
construction for support facilities at BIAP, given the
increase in UNAMI staff and the expected arrival of a
dedicated civilian aircraft. UNAMI has chosen a contractor
for the construction, which is expected to last 100 days.
UNAMI asked its Georgian security contingent to provide
security during construction activities, but the Georgians
apparently refused. Davis said UNAMI has raised this issue
with MNF-I, and has requested MNF-I support if the Georgians
continue to refuse.


4. (SBU) Davis said UNAMI urgently needed to begin
construction given that there is progress in the UN,s
long-standing efforts to procure a dedicated civilian
aircraft equipped with electronic counter-measures. The UN
has solicited bids on the project, and hopes to have an
aircraft in operation by May 1. Davis also noted that UNAMI
intends to raise the number of military advisors from 5 to
17, to take into account increased UNAMI activities
throughout the country.
KHALILZAD