USUN/UKUN/UN TRILATERAL MEETING ON IRAQ

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000577

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREM UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: USUN/UKUN/UN TRILATERAL MEETING ON IRAQ

Summary
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1. (SBU) On June 26, UN Team Leader for Iraq Darko Mocibob
met with USUN and UKUN for a regularly scheduled trilateral
meeting on Iraq. Mocibob provided updates on UNAMI security,
logistics and mandate issues. On the UN's long-term
compound, Mocibob confirmed that Iraq had formally approved
the location, but said it remained unclear as to how much GOI
intends to contribute financially to its construction.
Mocibob briefly discussed the status of voter registration
and preparations for the upcoming provincial elections. He
opined that meeting the October deadline for elections will
be challenging, speculating that elections are more likely to
occur at the end of December if the new election law is
passed by the end of July. The UN is confident that a recent
request for a six-month extension to the Distinct Entity
Trust Fund currently due to expire in August will be
approved. Finally, Mocibob informed USUN that SRSG de
Mistura would participate in the 11 July Iraq strategic
dialogue by secure VTC from Erbil.

The Future of the Distinct Equity Trust Fund


2. (SBU) The Distinct Equity Trust Fund, which pays for the
Georgian contingent providing "Middle-Ring" security to the
UNAMI compound in Baghdad, has sufficient funds to operate
through August. UNAMI recently requested a six-month
extension at a cost of $1.2 million. Of the 18 member
countries that have previously contributed, Germany recently
pledged to contribute an additional $500,000 and there are
indications that Belgium, Finland, and Italy will make
smaller contributions. Mocibob is confident that the
extension request will be approved and is encouraged by the
generous offers of support by member countries received thus
far.

Provincial Elections Update


3. (SBU) UNAMI will initiate July 5 a comprehensive public
outreach program to inform Iraqis about voter registration
scheduled for July 15. IFES and USAID will assist in this
effort. The election law is still in draft form and there
are a number of outstanding issues, such as the form of the
election (open or closed) and whether or not Kirkuk will
participate. Mocibob stated that the UN is considering
issuing a statement to the GOI and the COR urging adoption of
an election law by the end of July and explaining the
technical reasons why the provincial elections cannot occur
by October if a law is not passed. USUN asked the UN to
discuss their thoughts regarding MNF-I's potential role in
the election process. The UN said this discussion was
beginning in Baghdad, but acknowledged the need to increase
joint planning as the election process moves forward,
including through discussion at the next UN-U.S. high-level
strategic dialogue on Iraq scheduled for July 11 in New York.
Mocibob also reported that SRSG de Mistura would participate
in the dialogue by secure VTC from Erbil.

Steps to Increase Regional Dialogue


4. (SBU) Mocibob stated that SRSG de Mistura recently visited
Turkey and Jordan to increase regional participation in Iraq,
and expects to visit Tehran by the end of July. UNAMI is
moving forward with plans to put a liaison officer in Tehran.


Update on the UNAMI Compound


5. (SBU) In regards to the UNAMI compound, Mocibob stated
that the ACABQ (UN budget advisory committee) would not
address the proposal until the fall session. UNAMI believes
that this delay will provide more time to address the extent
of Iraq's financial contribution. SRSG de Mistura is
expected to participate in the ACABQ meeting by SVTC. The UN
expects the cost of the compound ($98 million) to remain the
same.

UNAMI's Increased Capability


6. (SBU) UNAMI now has a fixed wing aircraft that will be
forward deployed to Iraq this week. UNAMI will possibly
consider obtaining rotary wing aircraft in the future. UNAMI
recently received an offer from Nepal to fill two MILAD
positions. Georgia also offered to provide one MILAD officer
pending DPKO approval. UNICEF's presence in Iraq has
increased over the last six months as the security
environment in Iraq has become more permissive. The incoming
Iraq UNICEF Representative will be permanently stationed in
Baghdad by the end of July.
Khalilzad