Cablegate: Guidance: Building Blocks for February 16 Unami

VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3577 0480724
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 161932Z FEB 10
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9835
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 1297
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT IMMEDIATE 7851

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

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