SRSG DE MISTURA BRIEFS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN A

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