VZCZCXRO6689
OO RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUCNDT #0578/01 1822022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
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 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
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