THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S QUARTERLY DEBATE ON

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000193 SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ UNSC SUBJECT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S QUARTERLY DEBATE ON UNAMI/IRAQ ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On February 26, the Security Council held its quarterly debate on UNAMI and Iraq, with the participation of SRSG Staffan de Mistura and Iraqi PR Bayati. De Mistura reprised the major themes taken from the recent UN report on UNAMI/Iraq: successful Iraqi-led elections, increasing stability in Iraq, and a focus in the coming months on disputed internal boundaries as well as Iraq,s relations with the region and the world. Bayati echoed de Mistura,s description of the elections, saying they were a "turning point in Iraq,s progress in building a new democracy." Council members generally were optimistic as well, and congratulated both Iraq and the UN for their work in preparing for and holding the elections. Many members specifically praised the establishment of the Iraqi Commission for Human Rights. Russia and Libya were more reticent in their praise of the successes of the last few months; the Russian PR said "progress is indisputable but it is premature to give way to euphoria." End summary. DE MISTURA,S INTERVENTION ¶2. (SBU) De Mistura focused largely on the successful holding of provincial elections, saying that Iraq has emerged from this period "sovereign and rising to expectations." He commended the Iraqi Electoral Commission and concluded that the elections and their results were widely seen as "credible and transparent." Looking to the next few months, de Mistura said that lingering tensions between Arabs and Kurds must be addressed; they have had an outsized impact on the Iraqi political scene, impeding progress on the oil law, revenue sharing and constitutional review. He said he detected momentum during a recent visit to Kirkuk "to explore locally generated options regarding the administrative future of Kirkuk." He said UNAMI would continue to work closely with the Article 23 Committee and Iraqi political leaders to achieve progress on disputed internal boundaries. UNAMI will present reports on the remaining 11 districts in the disputed northern areas in the coming weeks, in consultation with the Iraqi government and all concerned parties. ¶3. (SBU) De Mistura said UNAMI would also address a number of regional issues related to Iraq: the Iraq Compact, a support mechanism for regional cooperation based in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iraq-Kuwait relations especially as related to outstanding Security Council resolutions, and Iraq-Iran efforts on demining and drug traffic control along their shared border. He added that UNAMI would continue to address humanitarian issues such as the return of refugees and IDPs. De Mistura concluded by saying that there is ground for optimism in Iraq, especially given that Iraq has asserted its sovereignty and security has improved. He thanked member states for their strong and encouraging statements of support for the UNAMI mission. IRAQ,S INTERVENTION ¶4. (SBU) Bayati echoed de Mistura,s conclusion that the elections were a turning point in the building of Iraq,s democracy. He also raised the expiration of the MNF-I mandate, thanked those who participated, and said it too was a turning point for Iraq. Bayati noted the recent increase in the return of Iraqi refugees/IDPs, and said Iraq expects 500,000 to return in 2009. Turning to social/economic matters, Bayati outlined a number of improvements, such as a decrease in employment, the establishment of a social security network, and the increase of sanitation and electrical systems. He specifically noted the visits to Iraq by French President Sarkozy and German FM Steinmeier, and noted his government,s strong support for the UN,s review of all Security Council resolutions pertaining to Iraq. INTERVENTIONS BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL ¶5. (SBU) All members praised the recent Iraqi provincial elections and echoed the prevailing sentiment that they were a turning point in Iraqi democracy. Russia provided a discordant note in stressing that voter turnout was low and the elections were only a first step towards national reconciliation. Russian PR Churkin said progress was evident but this should not "give way to euphoria." Many countries, especially Mexico, Costa Rica, Libya and Burkina Faso, praised the establishment of the Iraqi Commission on Human Rights, saying that this represented an important step in ensuring the Iraqi government,s respect for human rights of all Iraqis, including detainees. ¶6. (SBU) Several members - Mexico, Russia and Libya - praised the expiration of the MNF-I mandate and urged that the Iraqi security forces continue to improve their capabilities. Croatia warned against a "security gap" between the capabilities of Iraqi forces and the withdrawal of former MNF-I contributors. The UK said it would continue the withdrawal of its troops from the Basrah area, with the goal of full withdrawal by the summer. Libya specifically praised Syria and Jordan for their efforts in rebuilding Iraq, and said foreign troops should withdraw as quickly as possible in order to "decrease instability" within Iraq. ¶7. (SBU) Ambassador Rice joined the Council,s unanimous praise of the conduct of the Iraqi elections, as well as its praise of the efforts of the UN and SRSG de Mistura. She looked forward to the upcoming national elections and noted that the U.S. will move "responsibly and safely" to reduce its military presence. She outlined the larger regional context to U.S. engagement in Iraq: persuading Iran and Syria to become constructive regional actors, seeking to end Iran,s ambition to acquire an illicit nuclear capacity and its support for terrorism, addressing the security needs of Israel and the legitimate political and economic aspirations of the Palestinians. (Note: Following the conclusion of the debate, Iran circulated a letter to the Security Council responding to Ambassador Rice,s statement, in which it denied any support to terrorism and said its nuclear program "has been, is, and will remain absolutely peaceful." End note) Rice