Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK156
2009-02-19 00:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:
UN: IRAQ ELECTIONS "WENT VERY WELL"
how-toVZCZCXRO6101 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUCNDT #0156/01 0500001 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 190001Z FEB 09 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5884 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000156
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: UN: IRAQ ELECTIONS "WENT VERY WELL"
Classified By: Amb. Susan Rice, for reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000156
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: UN: IRAQ ELECTIONS "WENT VERY WELL"
Classified By: Amb. Susan Rice, for reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 13, DPA officials briefed USUN
and UKUN on the UN's assessment of elections in Iraq, as well
as on UNAMI-related issues. In general, the UN believes the
elections went very well, despite initial concerns regarding
the lower turnout. DPA is finalizing the UNAMI report to the
Security COUNCIL and will submit it around February 18. SRSG
de Mistura will brief the COUNCIL February 26 on Iraq/UNAMI,
and plans a one-day trip to Washington around that time to
meet with USG representatives. DPA is also beginning its
preparations to report, per UNSCR 1859, on all outstanding SC
resolutions related to Iraq, with the goal of issuing its
report in June. End summary.
UNAMI MANDATE ISSUES
2. (SBU) In a February 13 meeting in which the UN Department
of Public Affairs (DPA) Iraq team briefed USUN and UKUN,
Darko Mocibob, team leader for Iraq in DPA, said voter
turnouts for the recent provincial elections were respectably
high, at roughly 52 percent of the voting population. The
election encompassed a broad range of voters, religious
sects, and both genders. Final results are expected February
23. The election was monitored by both domestic and
international watch groups, all of which said the elections
were carried out in a professional manner and followed
regulatory procedures. The reaction of regional countries was
"mutes, but positive," said Mocibob.
3. (C) Although there were some registered complaints, the
most serious issue regards voting in areas with disputed
boundaries. There were significant above average turnouts in
disputed areas caused by leaders busing people in to vote.
The only region where this seems to have affected the votes
was Khanaqin, where voter turnout exceeded 100 percent. One
hundred and three polling stations were audited and the
questionable ballots were excluded. The information was
discussed with the voting commission before any action was
taken. The decision has yet to be disclosed publicly.
Preemptive complaints also occurred in the Anbar and Hanaki
provinces; however, these complaints were rescinded by the
concerned parties when the results turned out to be in their
favor.
4. (SBU) According to Mocibob, the current election results
show the incumbents generally suffered due to the perception
of political corruption and their inability to deliver social
services. Political parties emphasizing the primacy of the
central government won over federalist parties. The
successful provincial elections are only the beginning of a
busy 2009 election season in Iraq, he noted: the Kurdish
governorates will likely vote on May 19, and there may also
be municipal elections later in 2009, as well as NATIONAL
elections.
5. (SBU) Mocibob also provided an update on the disputed
internal boundaries process. UNAMI is preparing individual
reports for the 14 disputed districts, along with a "chapeau"
document that details its methodology and conclusions.
Regarding Kirkuk, UNAMI will likely propose five options for
the consideration of the Iraqi government and parliament. It
expects to conclude its reporting by the end of February, and
will seek to present its conclusions at the beginning of
March. The rollout will be more low-key than before; UNAMI
may only present its conclusions to key government and
parliament figures, and then defer to their judgment
regarding any further actions.
UNAMI ADMINISTRATION/SECURITY
6. (SBU) Mocibob said UNAMI's
humanitarian/development/reconstruction STAFF based in Amman
are now actively seeking to move their offices to Baghdad,
although there are serious space constraints that may not
allow everyone to move. The maximum number of international
personnel possible in Baghdad is 164; currently there are
125. As a way to shorten the period before UNAMI can
construct and operate new facilities, UNAMI is suggesting
that it build prefabricated modules instead of a long-tern
facility at the location in the International Zone that the
Iraqi government has assigned to it. Mocibob said this was
an issue under consideration by UN headquarters, and many
questions needed to be answered before moving forward. UNAMI
is moving forward slowly in procuring two helicopters, said
Mocibob. Two companies have expressed interest in bidding on
the project, although a decision is not imminent.
7. (SBU) Separately, Mocibob said DPA is beginning the
process of writing the report mandated by UNSCR 1859: a
review of all outstanding SECURITY COUNCIL resolutions
pertaining to Iraq. Once DPA has a UN team set up to review
USUN NEW Y 00000156 002 OF 002
the resolutions, it will consult with Iraq. He noted that
the UN wants the report to be technical, not prescriptive.
DPA will also consult with Iraq regarding the inclusion of
Kuwait, since many of the resolutions affect both countries.
Rice
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: UN: IRAQ ELECTIONS "WENT VERY WELL"
Classified By: Amb. Susan Rice, for reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 13, DPA officials briefed USUN
and UKUN on the UN's assessment of elections in Iraq, as well
as on UNAMI-related issues. In general, the UN believes the
elections went very well, despite initial concerns regarding
the lower turnout. DPA is finalizing the UNAMI report to the
Security COUNCIL and will submit it around February 18. SRSG
de Mistura will brief the COUNCIL February 26 on Iraq/UNAMI,
and plans a one-day trip to Washington around that time to
meet with USG representatives. DPA is also beginning its
preparations to report, per UNSCR 1859, on all outstanding SC
resolutions related to Iraq, with the goal of issuing its
report in June. End summary.
UNAMI MANDATE ISSUES
2. (SBU) In a February 13 meeting in which the UN Department
of Public Affairs (DPA) Iraq team briefed USUN and UKUN,
Darko Mocibob, team leader for Iraq in DPA, said voter
turnouts for the recent provincial elections were respectably
high, at roughly 52 percent of the voting population. The
election encompassed a broad range of voters, religious
sects, and both genders. Final results are expected February
23. The election was monitored by both domestic and
international watch groups, all of which said the elections
were carried out in a professional manner and followed
regulatory procedures. The reaction of regional countries was
"mutes, but positive," said Mocibob.
3. (C) Although there were some registered complaints, the
most serious issue regards voting in areas with disputed
boundaries. There were significant above average turnouts in
disputed areas caused by leaders busing people in to vote.
The only region where this seems to have affected the votes
was Khanaqin, where voter turnout exceeded 100 percent. One
hundred and three polling stations were audited and the
questionable ballots were excluded. The information was
discussed with the voting commission before any action was
taken. The decision has yet to be disclosed publicly.
Preemptive complaints also occurred in the Anbar and Hanaki
provinces; however, these complaints were rescinded by the
concerned parties when the results turned out to be in their
favor.
4. (SBU) According to Mocibob, the current election results
show the incumbents generally suffered due to the perception
of political corruption and their inability to deliver social
services. Political parties emphasizing the primacy of the
central government won over federalist parties. The
successful provincial elections are only the beginning of a
busy 2009 election season in Iraq, he noted: the Kurdish
governorates will likely vote on May 19, and there may also
be municipal elections later in 2009, as well as NATIONAL
elections.
5. (SBU) Mocibob also provided an update on the disputed
internal boundaries process. UNAMI is preparing individual
reports for the 14 disputed districts, along with a "chapeau"
document that details its methodology and conclusions.
Regarding Kirkuk, UNAMI will likely propose five options for
the consideration of the Iraqi government and parliament. It
expects to conclude its reporting by the end of February, and
will seek to present its conclusions at the beginning of
March. The rollout will be more low-key than before; UNAMI
may only present its conclusions to key government and
parliament figures, and then defer to their judgment
regarding any further actions.
UNAMI ADMINISTRATION/SECURITY
6. (SBU) Mocibob said UNAMI's
humanitarian/development/reconstruction STAFF based in Amman
are now actively seeking to move their offices to Baghdad,
although there are serious space constraints that may not
allow everyone to move. The maximum number of international
personnel possible in Baghdad is 164; currently there are
125. As a way to shorten the period before UNAMI can
construct and operate new facilities, UNAMI is suggesting
that it build prefabricated modules instead of a long-tern
facility at the location in the International Zone that the
Iraqi government has assigned to it. Mocibob said this was
an issue under consideration by UN headquarters, and many
questions needed to be answered before moving forward. UNAMI
is moving forward slowly in procuring two helicopters, said
Mocibob. Two companies have expressed interest in bidding on
the project, although a decision is not imminent.
7. (SBU) Separately, Mocibob said DPA is beginning the
process of writing the report mandated by UNSCR 1859: a
review of all outstanding SECURITY COUNCIL resolutions
pertaining to Iraq. Once DPA has a UN team set up to review
USUN NEW Y 00000156 002 OF 002
the resolutions, it will consult with Iraq. He noted that
the UN wants the report to be technical, not prescriptive.
DPA will also consult with Iraq regarding the inclusion of
Kuwait, since many of the resolutions affect both countries.
Rice