U.S.-UN HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON IRAQ -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000578 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ UNSC SUBJECT: U.S.-UN HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON IRAQ - DRAFT AGENDA ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY and ACTION REQUEST: The UN has proposed holding the next session of the UN-U.S. high level strategic dialogue on Iraq July 11 at UN headquarters in New York. The UN presented a draft agenda to USUN June 26, proposing for the first time to treat both political and security subjects in a single day's session. The UN-U.S. strategic dialogue on Iraq (usually held twice a year) began in late 2004, and is traditionally chaired by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and the State Department,s Coordinator for Iraq issues (S/I). Background at para 2. Draft agenda at para 3. ACTION REQUEST: USUN requests Department to provide feedback on the agenda and a proposed list of U.S. participants. END SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. BACKGROUND ¶2. (SBU) The Security COUNCIL authorized the formation of the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) through Resolution 1500 (August 2003). On August 19, 2003, the UN Headquarters in Iraq was attacked, killing 22 people, including the UN,s Special Envoy Sergio de Mello. The UN withdrew its staff, and did not begin returning until April 2004. UNAMI staff returned in limited numbers, and based on the understanding that MNF-I would assist in their security, an arrangement addressed by UNSCR 1546 and subsequent MNF-I renewals and through a bilateral 607 agreement. Although UNAMI has become more self-sufficient over time, it still depends heavily on MNF-I for security and transportation. The strategic dialogue meetings serve several purposes: 1) to allow the U.S. and UN to compare notes on pressing political and security issues related to Iraq; 2) to ensure that the close coordination and cooperation with the UN in Baghdad is reinforced at headquarters level; and 3) to ensure that senior UN officials are assured of continued U.S. dedication to assisting with the UN's security needs. U.S. participants typically include S/I, USUN, IO/UNP, and DoD for the security portion. (Note: Ambassador Khalilzad intends to participate in part of the discussion.) UN participants typically include the UNAMI Special Representative to the Secretary-General, as well as senior Department of Political Affairs and Department of Safety and Security officials. The UK Mission typically sends a note taker. The political agenda focuses on issues related to UNAMI,s mandate as a special political mission (see UNSCR 1770); the mandate must be renewed by August 10. The security portion treats both the security arrangements for the UN presence in Iraq and an exchange of views on the security situation. Economic issues are traditionally addressed within the International Compact with Iraq; the first annual review was held in May in Stockholm and attended by Prime Minister Maliki, UN SYG Ban, Secretary Rice, and Treasury Deputy Secretary Bob Kimmitt, among others. DRAFT AGENDA ¶3. (SBU) Political (Morning) Session, moderated by U/SYG for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe: GENERAL OVERVIEW (20 minutes) - Assessment of the security surge - Status of national reconciliation efforts - Performance of the al-Maliki government - Potential flashpoints (i.e. Kirkuk, Iraq/Turkish border, Iran-Iraq) UN POLITICAL ROLE (40 minutes) - Resolving disputed internal boundaries, including Kirkuk - Constitutional review process - Governorate elections - Future support for national reconciliation efforts REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON IRAQ (15 minutes) - Engagement with Iraq,s neighbors - International Compact with Iraq HUMAN RIGHTS (10 minutes) - Assessment of the HUMAN RIGHTS situation HUMANITARIAN, RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (20 minutes) - Assessment of socio-economic conditions - Status of UN humanitarian, reconstruction and development activities FUTURE OUTLOOK (15 minutes) - Status of SOFA and Long-Term Cooperation and Friendship Agreement (LTCFA) negotiations (including implications for UN presence) - Support for UN activities Security (afternoon) session, moderated by U/SYG for Safety USUN NEW Y 00000578 002 OF 002 and Security David Veness: GENERAL OVERVIEW OF SECURITY SITUATION IN IRAQ (20 minutes) - Security assessment and potential flashpoints - Current AOG threat, trends and tactics - Current and future capability of the Iraqi Security Forces/Police SOFA AGREEMENT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UN (20 minutes) - Ensuring that arrangements for UN protection are reflected in the SOFA - Future of the Distinct Entity, (Middle-Ring) protection force - Status of the UN-U.S. Security Agreement MNF-I SECURITY SUPPORT TO UNAMI (40 minutes) - MNF-I support for voter registration and governorate elections - UN dependence on MNF-I static and convoy protection - UN dependence on MNF-I air/land transportation - Steps being taken by the UN to become more self-sufficient FUTURE MNF-I PLANS IN IRAQ (20 minutes) - Projected MNF-I troop levels and presence in Iraq - Future MNF-I plans for the International Zone - Future MNF-I plans for the Basra Air Station FUTURE UN PLANS IN IRAQ (20 minutes) - Plans to expand UN footprint in Iraq - Plans to deploy both Fixed/Rotary Wing Aircraft for UN operations - Plans to construct an integrated headquarters in the IZ ANY OTHER BUSINESS Khalilzad