Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK608
2009-06-20 01:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:
SRSG DE MISTURA BRIEFS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN A
how-toVZCZCXRO4680 OO RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUCNDT #0608 1710128 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 200128Z JUN 09 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6748 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000608
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: SRSG DE MISTURA BRIEFS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN A
FINAL ADDRESS
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000608
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: SRSG DE MISTURA BRIEFS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN A
FINAL ADDRESS
1. (U) Summary: On June 18, the Security Council held a
quarterly debate on UNAMI/Iraq. Turkish FM Davutoglu chaired
the meeting, which included interventions by all Council
members, Iraqi PR Bayati and SRSG Staffan de Mistura in his
last address before the Council. De Mistura praised the work
of UNAMI over the last two years, emphasized Iraq,s progress
and concluded that Iraq,s future "looks moderately bright."
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Council members
adopted a Presidential Statement that commends the Iraqi
government,s efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of
law, and to improve security and public order. The
Presidential Statement emphasizes the crucial role of UNAMI
and encourages its continued work. End summary.
DE MISTURA, IRAQ PR SPEAK
2. (U) Staffan de Mistura, who served as head of UNAMI for
the last eighteen months, addressed the Council for a last
time in his capacity as SRSG. He reviewed UNAMI,s
achievements over the last two years and said they were
possible because of an expanded UNAMI mandate, UNAMI,s
expanded footprint in Iraq and a new approach by the UNAMI
team. He said he was proud of what UNAMI had achieved, and
proud that UNAMI had helped turn the page on the perception
of the UN in Iraq. He noted a recent uptick in insecurity,
but said these events were isolated and would not destabilize
the country. De Mistura said UNAMI was particularly focused
on upcoming elections, disputed internal boundaries and
assistance to Iraqi refugees/IDPs.
3. (U) Turning to the region,s relations with Iraq, de
Mistura said Iraq,s relations with Turkey, Syria, Jordan and
Iran had improved significantly. Regarding Iraq,s relations
with Kuwait, de Mistura said these were absolutely crucial to
reintegrate Iraq into the region. Iraq has shown increasing
signs of cooperation with Kuwait. He alluded to "creative
options" currently being considered to improve Iraq/Kuwait
relations, and he urged the Security Council to address this
issue as soon as possible. De Mistura closed with a poignant
reference to Sergio Vieira de Mello. During tough months in
the beginning of his tenure as SRSG, de Mistura said he and
the UNAMI staff soldiered on, knowing that by their work, the
deaths of de Mello and the other UN staff killed in the Canal
Hotel bombing would not be in vain.
4. (U) Iraqi PR Bayati thanked de Mistura for his
intervention and warmly welcomed the presence of Turkish FM
Davutoglu. He presented a lengthy review of Iraq,s
political, security, social, economic and foreign policy
achievements. He noted that national reconciliation remains
a top priority for the Iraqi government, and underscored the
dedication of the Iraqi people to the democratic process.
Bayati closed by declaring that Iraq has "fulfilled all of
its obligations" related to Security Council resolutions
involving Iraq. He noted further that "Iraq recognized the
State of Kuwait and its borders in accordance with the
relevant Security Council resolutions" and asked the
Secretary-General and the Security Council to "assist Iraq in
returning to the international status it held before the
invasion of Kuwait in 1990, an invasion which was one of the
most atrocious crimes committed by Saddam Hussein and that
the Iraqi people continue to pay a heavy price for."
INTERVENTIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
5. (U) Council members uniformly praised de Mistura for his
work, and thanked the staff of UNAMI for their efforts.
Ambassador Rice thanked de Mistura for his reference to
Sergio de Mello, and said it was an important reminder of the
enormous contributions and sacrifices that so many have made
on behalf of the UN. She emphasized that U.S. combat troops
would leave civilian populated areas by the end of the month,
but added that this would in no way diminish the long-term
relationship between the U.S. and Iraq. France welcomed the
role of UNAMI in elections and disputed internal boundaries,
and saluted the substantial progress Iraq has made in
establishing stability. Russia and China praised Iraqi
progress, but noted the continuing need for progress in
national reconciliation. Several countries - Costa Rica,
Mexico, Austria and the United Kingdom - urged Iraq to
redouble its efforts on human rights, to quickly institute
the Independent High Commission for Human Rights, and to
reconsider its decision to legalize capital punishment.
Mexico praised the announcement that U.S. combat troops would
leave Iraqi population centers by the end of the month.
Libya reiterated its position that only the full withdrawal
of foreign troops would lead to true national reconciliation.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IZ
SUBJECT: SRSG DE MISTURA BRIEFS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN A
FINAL ADDRESS
1. (U) Summary: On June 18, the Security Council held a
quarterly debate on UNAMI/Iraq. Turkish FM Davutoglu chaired
the meeting, which included interventions by all Council
members, Iraqi PR Bayati and SRSG Staffan de Mistura in his
last address before the Council. De Mistura praised the work
of UNAMI over the last two years, emphasized Iraq,s progress
and concluded that Iraq,s future "looks moderately bright."
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Council members
adopted a Presidential Statement that commends the Iraqi
government,s efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of
law, and to improve security and public order. The
Presidential Statement emphasizes the crucial role of UNAMI
and encourages its continued work. End summary.
DE MISTURA, IRAQ PR SPEAK
2. (U) Staffan de Mistura, who served as head of UNAMI for
the last eighteen months, addressed the Council for a last
time in his capacity as SRSG. He reviewed UNAMI,s
achievements over the last two years and said they were
possible because of an expanded UNAMI mandate, UNAMI,s
expanded footprint in Iraq and a new approach by the UNAMI
team. He said he was proud of what UNAMI had achieved, and
proud that UNAMI had helped turn the page on the perception
of the UN in Iraq. He noted a recent uptick in insecurity,
but said these events were isolated and would not destabilize
the country. De Mistura said UNAMI was particularly focused
on upcoming elections, disputed internal boundaries and
assistance to Iraqi refugees/IDPs.
3. (U) Turning to the region,s relations with Iraq, de
Mistura said Iraq,s relations with Turkey, Syria, Jordan and
Iran had improved significantly. Regarding Iraq,s relations
with Kuwait, de Mistura said these were absolutely crucial to
reintegrate Iraq into the region. Iraq has shown increasing
signs of cooperation with Kuwait. He alluded to "creative
options" currently being considered to improve Iraq/Kuwait
relations, and he urged the Security Council to address this
issue as soon as possible. De Mistura closed with a poignant
reference to Sergio Vieira de Mello. During tough months in
the beginning of his tenure as SRSG, de Mistura said he and
the UNAMI staff soldiered on, knowing that by their work, the
deaths of de Mello and the other UN staff killed in the Canal
Hotel bombing would not be in vain.
4. (U) Iraqi PR Bayati thanked de Mistura for his
intervention and warmly welcomed the presence of Turkish FM
Davutoglu. He presented a lengthy review of Iraq,s
political, security, social, economic and foreign policy
achievements. He noted that national reconciliation remains
a top priority for the Iraqi government, and underscored the
dedication of the Iraqi people to the democratic process.
Bayati closed by declaring that Iraq has "fulfilled all of
its obligations" related to Security Council resolutions
involving Iraq. He noted further that "Iraq recognized the
State of Kuwait and its borders in accordance with the
relevant Security Council resolutions" and asked the
Secretary-General and the Security Council to "assist Iraq in
returning to the international status it held before the
invasion of Kuwait in 1990, an invasion which was one of the
most atrocious crimes committed by Saddam Hussein and that
the Iraqi people continue to pay a heavy price for."
INTERVENTIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
5. (U) Council members uniformly praised de Mistura for his
work, and thanked the staff of UNAMI for their efforts.
Ambassador Rice thanked de Mistura for his reference to
Sergio de Mello, and said it was an important reminder of the
enormous contributions and sacrifices that so many have made
on behalf of the UN. She emphasized that U.S. combat troops
would leave civilian populated areas by the end of the month,
but added that this would in no way diminish the long-term
relationship between the U.S. and Iraq. France welcomed the
role of UNAMI in elections and disputed internal boundaries,
and saluted the substantial progress Iraq has made in
establishing stability. Russia and China praised Iraqi
progress, but noted the continuing need for progress in
national reconciliation. Several countries - Costa Rica,
Mexico, Austria and the United Kingdom - urged Iraq to
redouble its efforts on human rights, to quickly institute
the Independent High Commission for Human Rights, and to
reconsider its decision to legalize capital punishment.
Mexico praised the announcement that U.S. combat troops would
leave Iraqi population centers by the end of the month.
Libya reiterated its position that only the full withdrawal
of foreign troops would lead to true national reconciliation.
RICE