GUIDANCE: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR FEBRUARY 16 UNAMI

UNCLAS STATE 013577 SENSITIVE C O R R E C T E D COPY (SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED) SIPDIS USUN FOR GERMAIN AND FINERTY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC IZ SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR FEBRUARY 16 UNAMI UNSC CONSULTATIONS 1.(U) This is an action request. USUN should draw from the points in para 2 during the closed consultations on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in the Security Council on February 16. ¶2. (SBU) Begin Points: --I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report and UNAMI for its steadfast commitment to support the Iraqi people towards a more peaceful and prosperous future. --UNAMI plays an integral role in addressing issues essential to the long-term peace, security, and prosperity of Iraq. The United States would like to recognize the work of SRSG Ad Melkert and his staff, and welcome Deputy Special Representative's Christine McNab and Jerzy Sturatowicz to UNAMI. We are proud to offer our continued full support for UNAMI,s mandate. --In nineteen days the Iraqi people will go to the polls to exercise their right to vote. By holding legitimate, inclusive and transparent national parliamentary elections on March 7, Iraq will take another step forward as a sovereign democracy. --The United States would like to highlight UNAMI's efforts to support Iraqi national parliamentary elections, particularly its critical role to support Iraq's Council of Representatives in securing a national election law, provide technical assistance and advice to Iraq,s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC),train and organize out-of-country voting delegations and secure election observers. --We note our appreciation to multilateral institutions such as the European Union and the Arab League, and UN member states such as Japan, Korea, Turkey, Australia, and Germany who have already agreed to send election observers. We also welcome UNAMI's commitment to send 14 observer teams. The United States will send representatives to serve as election observers in all provinces. The international community's efforts will complement the thousands of trained Iraqi election observers, monitoring networks, and watchdog groups to serve as the first line of defense against potential electoral fraud. --We would also like to highlight UNAMI's important role in addressing Iraq,s disputed internal boundaries, particularly, UNAMI's facilitated High Level Task Force. The U.S. encourages continued engagement to increase dialogue and foster cooperation towards a just and fair solution ) a key step in creating stability for all of Iraq. --UNAMI's work to facilitate the sustainable and voluntary return and reintegration of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons is also critical to the long-term stability of Iraq. With some 221,000 returns in 2008 and 205,000 returns in 2009, the U.S. strongly supports UNAMI's continued work and welcomes additional efforts on this issue by the Government of Iraq. --The United States is proud to note UNAMI,s expanding footprint in Iraq and its outstanding record of accomplishment to date. We deeply appreciate Special Representative Melkert's hard work and dedication on behalf of the Iraqi people. We look forward to your continued success. --Thank you. END POINTS CLINTON