NEED FOR SECURITY FOR UN IN IRAQ AFTER MNF-I

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000438

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AMBASSADOR SATTERFIELD AND BAGHDAD FOR
AMBASSADOR CROCKER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: NEED FOR SECURITY FOR UN IN IRAQ AFTER MNF-I

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3.


2. (C) Conscious of the upcoming expiration of the Security
Council's MNF-I mandate at the end of calendar year 2008, the
UN is looking to the United States and the Government of Iraq
to initiate discussions about follow-on security arrangements
for the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). Security
Council Resolution 1546 (2004),adopted following the
formation of the sovereign interim government of Iraq, inter
alia expanded the mandate of UNAMI to help the new government
and authorized the mandate of the Multinational Force in Iraq
(MNF-I). UNSCR 1546 and its accompanying letter from
Secretary Powell assigned to MNF-I inter alia the
responsibility to create a "distinct entity" to provides
security for the UN presence in Iraq under the command and
control of the MNF-I commander. Subsequent Council
extensions of MNF-I authority have encompassed this security
arrangement. Therefore, since 2004, the distinct entity --
variously staffed by Georgian, Romanian, South Korean and
Fijiian troops and supported by voluntary state contributions
to a UN Trust Fund -- has provided security to UNAMI
facilities in Baghdad, Basra, and Irbil.


3. (C) The UN's long-term compound in Baghdad is still in
the planning stages, and will not be able to address the UN's
security needs for an estimated two years or more. UNSCR
1770 (2007) updated and expanded the UNAMI mandate to include
support on key issues such as national reconciliation,
disputed internal boundaries, refugee assistance, and
reconstruction. Given the importance of the UN role in Iraq,
UNSCR 1770 also confirmed that "security is essential for
UNAMI to carry out its work." In order to ensure that UNAMI
is able to continue its important role in Iraq, security
arrangements will need to be developed to fill the gap
between the expiration of the MNF-I role and the
establishment of a secure UNAMI compound and the development
of Iraqi Security Forces capable of providing a level of
security acceptable to the UN.


4. (C) Action request: USUN requests the Department to
instruct Embassy Baghdad to engage the GOI on a discussion of
options for follow-on security arrangements for UNAMI. USUN
also requests the Department to consider related
consultations with other coalition countries, including those
currently providing security assistance to UNAMI, to address
this need.


5. (U) Below are relevant excerpts from key UNSCRs.

Resolution 1546 (2004). OP13. "Notes the intention, set out
in the annexed letter from the United States Secretary of
State, to create a distinct entity under unified command of
the multinational force with a dedicated mission to provide
security for the United Nations presence in Iraq, recognizes
that the implementation of measures to provide security for
staff members of the United Nations system working in Iraq
would require significant resources, and calls upon Member
States and relevant organizations to provide such resources,
including contributions to that entity;"

Annexed letter to UNSCR 1546 from Secretary Powell. "In
addition, the MNF is prepared to establish or support a force
within the MNF to provide for the security of personnel and
facilities of the United Nations. We have consulted closely
with UN officials regarding the United Nations' security
requirements and believe that a brigade-size force will be
needed to support the United Nations' security effort. This
force will be under the command and control of the MNF
commander, and its missions will include static and perimeter
security at UN facilities, and convoy escort duties for the
UN mission's travel requirements."

Resolution 1770 (2007). OP3. "Recognizes the important role
of the Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I) in supporting UNAMI,
including security and logistical support, and further
recognizes that security is essential for UNAMI to carry out
its work on behalf of the people of Iraq;"

Resolution 1790 (2007). PP17. "Recognizing the tasks and
arrangements set out in letters annexed to resolution 1546

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(2004) of 8 June 2004, including the provision of security
and logistical support for the United Nations presence in
Iraq, and the cooperative implementation by the Government of
Iraq and the multinational force of those arrangements, and
having regard for resolution 1770 (2007) of 10 August 2007,"

Annexed letter to UNSCR 1790 from Secretary Rice. "MNF is
prepared to continue to undertake a broad range of tasks to
contribute to the maintenance of security and stability and
to ensure force protection, acting under the authorities set
forth in resolution 1546 (2004),including the tasks and
arrangements set out in the letters annexed thereto, and in
close cooperation with the Government of Iraq."


Khalilzad