Cablegate: U.S.-Un High-Level Strategic Dialogue On Iraq -

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O 302022Z JUN 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4524
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000578

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ UNSC
SUBJECT: U.S.-UN HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON IRAQ -
DRAFT AGENDA

1. (SBU) SUMMARY and ACTION REQUEST: The UN has proposed
holding the next session of the UN-U.S. high level strategic
dialogue on Iraq July 11 at UN headquarters in New York. The
UN presented a draft agenda to USUN June 26, proposing for
the first time to treat both political and security subjects
in a single day's session. The UN-U.S. strategic dialogue on
Iraq (usually held twice a year) began in late 2004, and is
traditionally chaired by the UN Under-Secretary-General for
Political Affairs and the State Department,s Coordinator for
Iraq issues (S/I). Background at para 2. Draft agenda at
para 3. ACTION REQUEST: USUN requests Department to provide
feedback on the agenda and a proposed list of U.S.
participants. END SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST.

BACKGROUND

2. (SBU) The Security Council authorized the formation of the
UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) through Resolution 1500
(August 2003). On August 19, 2003, the UN Headquarters in
Iraq was attacked, killing 22 people, including the UN,s
Special Envoy Sergio de Mello. The UN withdrew its staff,
and did not begin returning until April 2004. UNAMI staff
returned in limited numbers, and based on the understanding
that MNF-I would assist in their security, an arrangement
addressed by UNSCR 1546 and subsequent MNF-I renewals and
through a bilateral 607 agreement. Although UNAMI has become
more self-sufficient over time, it still depends heavily on
MNF-I for security and transportation. The strategic
dialogue meetings serve several purposes: 1) to allow the
U.S. and UN to compare notes on pressing political and
security issues related to Iraq; 2) to ensure that the close
coordination and cooperation with the UN in Baghdad is
reinforced at headquarters level; and 3) to ensure that
senior UN officials are assured of continued U.S. dedication
to assisting with the UN's security needs. U.S. participants
typically include S/I, USUN, IO/UNP, and DoD for the security
portion. (Note: Ambassador Khalilzad intends to participate
in part of the discussion.) UN participants typically
include the UNAMI Special Representative to the
Secretary-General, as well as senior Department of Political
Affairs and Department of Safety and Security officials. The
UK Mission typically sends a note taker. The political
agenda focuses on issues related to UNAMI,s mandate as a
special political mission (see UNSCR 1770); the mandate must
be renewed by August 10. The security portion treats both
the security arrangements for the UN presence in Iraq and an
exchange of views on the security situation. Economic issues
are traditionally addressed within the International Compact
with Iraq; the first annual review was held in May in
Stockholm and attended by Prime Minister Maliki, UN SYG Ban,
Secretary Rice, and Treasury Deputy Secretary Bob Kimmitt,
among others.

DRAFT AGENDA

3. (SBU) Political (Morning) Session, moderated by U/SYG for
Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe:

GENERAL OVERVIEW (20 minutes)
- Assessment of the security surge
- Status of national reconciliation efforts
- Performance of the al-Maliki government
- Potential flashpoints (i.e. Kirkuk, Iraq/Turkish border,
Iran-Iraq)

UN POLITICAL ROLE (40 minutes)
- Resolving disputed internal boundaries, including Kirkuk
- Constitutional review process
- Governorate elections
- Future support for national reconciliation efforts

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON IRAQ (15 minutes)
- Engagement with Iraq,s neighbors
- International Compact with Iraq

HUMAN RIGHTS (10 minutes)
- Assessment of the human rights situation

HUMANITARIAN, RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (20 minutes)
- Assessment of socio-economic conditions
- Status of UN humanitarian, reconstruction and development
activities

FUTURE OUTLOOK (15 minutes)
- Status of SOFA and Long-Term Cooperation and Friendship
Agreement (LTCFA) negotiations (including implications for UN
presence)
- Support for UN activities

Security (afternoon) session, moderated by U/SYG for Safety

USUN NEW Y 00000578 002 OF 002

and Security David Veness:

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF SECURITY SITUATION IN IRAQ (20 minutes)
- Security assessment and potential flashpoints
- Current AOG threat, trends and tactics
- Current and future capability of the Iraqi Security
Forces/Police

SOFA AGREEMENT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UN (20 minutes)
- Ensuring that arrangements for UN protection are reflected
in the SOFA
- Future of the Distinct Entity, (Middle-Ring) protection
force
- Status of the UN-U.S. Security Agreement

MNF-I SECURITY SUPPORT TO UNAMI (40 minutes)
- MNF-I support for voter registration and governorate
elections
- UN dependence on MNF-I static and convoy protection
- UN dependence on MNF-I air/land transportation
- Steps being taken by the UN to become more self-sufficient

FUTURE MNF-I PLANS IN IRAQ (20 minutes)
- Projected MNF-I troop levels and presence in Iraq
- Future MNF-I plans for the International Zone
- Future MNF-I plans for the Basra Air Station

FUTURE UN PLANS IN IRAQ (20 minutes)
- Plans to expand UN footprint in Iraq
- Plans to deploy both Fixed/Rotary Wing Aircraft for UN
operations
- Plans to construct an integrated headquarters in the IZ

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Khalilzad

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