United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

UNAMI FOCUS

Voice of the Mission

News Bulletin on UNAMI Activities Fifth Issue Mid June 2006

SRSG Activities Security Council Welcomes Iraq’s Government; Agrees SRSG Ashraf Qazi conducted numerous on Development Fund meetings with Iraqi government officials, political leaders, religous figures and civil society representaives and discussed the After hearing detailed briefings on Iraq latest developments in Iraq with them. on 15 June, 2006, the United Nations Security Council welcomed the formation of the country’s first On 17 June, 2006, PIO has issued a press The First Constitutionally- Elected Govt. in Iraq constitutionally-elected Government, release on SRSG Ashraf Qazi's strong which was completed earlier this month, condemnation of the attack on Buratha agreed upon the continuation of the Mosque and the assassination of the Imam List of 1st Constitutionally- Elected Multinational Force (MNF) and also on of Al-Kabir Mosque in Basra Govt. in Iraq- 8/06/06 certain arrangements for a Development Fund (DFI) and an International Name Ministry On 16 June, 2006, Secretary -General Kofi Nuri Al- Maliki Prime Minister Advisory and Monitoring Board for the war-ravaged country. Annan responded to requests by the new Barham Salih Deputy PM Government of Iraq by agreeing to Salam Al-Zawba'I Deputy PM strongly support the development of a Jawad Kazim Al-Bulani Interior In a press statement, the 15-member framework for increased international Abd-Al-Qadir Jasim Defence Council also “urged all Iraqis to assistance to Iraq. Mr. Annan has Shirwan Al-Wa’ili National Security participate peacefully in the political designated the Deputy Secretary-General, Husayn Al-Shahristani Oil process and demanded that those who Mark Malloch Brown, as his focal point in Baqir Jabr Al-Zubaydi Finance use violence lay down their arms.” NY for this issue, and SRSG, Ashraf Qazi, Hoshayr Zebari Foreign Affairs in the same role on the ground in Iraq. Hashim Al-Shibli Justice “They reiterated their encouragement to Yarob Nadhem Al-Obodi Agriculture the new Government to work tirelessly On Thursday, 15 June, PIO has arranged Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi Communications As'ad to promote national reconciliation and for a Luncheon with the Head of Iraqi Kamal Aal-Hashimi Culture an atmosphere in which sectarianism is Journalists Rights Defense Association Khudayr Al-Khuza'I Education rejected,” and the Council also (IJRDA) and three other members of the Karim Wahid Electricity “welcomed the progress made in NGO. Among the issues discussed was Nirmin Uthman Environment recruiting, training and equipping Iraqi cooperation between UNAMI and IJRDA, Ali Al-Shammari Health security forces and their increasing ways to promote protection of Iraqi Abd Dhiyab al-Ajili Higher Education responsibilities on the ground.” journalists and assistance in enhancing Bayan Dazayee Housing& Constr. capacity of Iraqi journalists and their Abdul-Samad Rahman Sultan Immg.&Dispalcd. associations. Fawzi Al-Hariri Industry Mahmud Muhammad Al-Radi Labor &Social Aff. INDEX: Riyad Ghurayyib Municipalities Following completion of the new Iraqi Ali Baban Planning government including the key ministries of - SRSG Activities 1 Ra'id Fahmi Jahid Science & Tech. defence, national security and interior on -List of Iraqi Government 1 June 8, Mr. Qazi expressed his hope that Abd-al-Falah al-Sudani Trade Karim Mahdi Salih Transport - SC Welcomes Iraqi Gov 1 the government of Prime Minister Nuri Al - Constitutional Support Newsflash 2 Jamal Abdul-Latif Rashid Water Resources Maliki will be able to move forward in - Electoral Update 2 Jasim Muhammad Ja'far Youth & Sports tackling Iraq’s many challenges. Mr. Qazi - Human Rights News 2 Ministers of State reiterated UN readiness “to assist in - Relief, Reconst & Develop Activities 3 building the capacity of the new Adil Al-Asadi Civil Society Aff. Safa-al-Din Al-Safi CoR Affairs -Political Update 3 administration to deliver basic services, - Brief from PIO 3 Rafi Hiyad Al-Isawi. Foreign including a human rights protection - Fiji Guard Unit Activities 4 Affairs system, to the people of Iraq.” - AUNAMI Staff member races to the Sa'd Taha Al-Hashimi Gov. Affairs Akram Al-Hakim Nat. Dialogue Aff. North Pole to raise funds for refugees 4 ***** Liwa Sumaysim Tourism & Antiq. -Photos from UNAMI Activities 4

Fatin Mahmud Women’s Affairs

Muhammad Abbas al-Uraybi Ministers of State Ali Muhammad Ahmad Ministers of State 1 Hasan Radi Kazim al-Sari Ministers of State ***** “Members of the Security Council continued “This is the beginning of a new chapter in DSRSG electronically has been to look forward to the day Iraqi forces Iraq’s transformation from dictatorship to a completed and handed over to UN. Later assume full responsibility for the sovereign, peaceful and prosperous federal this month, IT advisors will assist maintenance of security and stability in Iraq, democracy as voted by the Iraqi people.” representatives of Data Management thus allowing the completion of the MNF division to hold meetings with IT mandate. They also reiterated the importance ***** training companies in Amman. for all forces promoting the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq to act in ***** accordance with international law, including Constitutional Support Newsflash obligations under international humanitarian Human Rights News law.” Last week, the Office of Constitutional Support Minority situation inside Basra remains (OCS) held its multiparty dialogue on Issues for of concern. Another Sunni sheikh was consideration on the application, enforcement In her briefing to the Council, Assistant assassinated on 2 June 2006 while on his Secretary-General for Political Affairs and possible reformulations of the Iraqi Bill of way to "Al-Hasanain" Mosque in "Al- Angela Kane acknowledged the killings and Rights in the context of the constitutional Mishraq" Area. The perpetrators were instability in the country, but said that despite review and implementation process. It took reported to be in two white cars and two place from 6-8 June in Vienna (Austria), in this Iraq had completed a three-year political motorcycles. Representatives of the transition with the formation of its first cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Iranian Ahwazi refugee community paid constitutionally-elected Government and this Foreign Affairs and UNDP-Iraq. This dialogue a visit to the Human Rights Office, was cause for some optimism. addressed possible reformulation of the human expressing their concern over a lack of rights clauses contained in the constitution, and support system available to them. Five developments in legislation and in the members of the Ahwazi community “While it may be understandable that, due to institutional and statutory frameworks aimed at their transitory character, previous were assassinated since the fall of the creating judicial and non-judicial mechanisms past regime. Governments were unable to take some of the of application and enforcement of human rights. hard decisions required to address the urgent A focal point from the PM’s office needs of the Iraqi people, the establishment of a constitutionally-elected Government for Straight after the Vienna meeting, OCS confirmed to HRO that the government’s announcement that a state a full four-year term offers new hope,” she organized a multiparty dialogue on federal of emergency had been imposed in said. arrangements under the new Iraqi Constitution. It was held in Madrid (Spain) from 12 to 13 Basra on 31 May was only an extension June. The substantive sessions addressed this of the state of emergency in place since Ms. Kane said that over the past three years key constitutional topic from different the Allawi Government. During the Iraq’s transition had moved from the perspectives, including sessions on regions and upcoming month, the 10th Army Governing Council to the Interim regional formation; distribution of powers, from Division is to be in charge of the Government and the Transitional the perspective of a) constitutional allocation of security inside the city. Since two, June Government, culminating with Iraq’s first powers, and b) joint management and issues of army checkpoints stop and search all constitutionally-elected Government led by pre-eminence); fiscal federalism; role of regions cars. A day after the declaration of the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. at the national level; and preservation of unity state of emergency, a suicide bombing in a federal state. Key members of the former in Qadimah market area in the Basra The other officials who also spoke to the constitutional committee and current city killed 28 people and injured 62 Council painted a similar picture, with United parliamentarians participated in both others. Hours later, the Iraqi Police States Ambassador John Bolton – speaking workshops. surrounded two mosques. The "Ibn Eed" on behalf of the 29 countries making up the Mosque in "Al-Mishraq" area in Basra Multinational Force in Iraq – and the Beyond its programme of multiparty dialogues, was reportedly attacked by police country’s Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, OCS has continued to engage key Iraqi political officers around 8:00 pm. There were no killed or injured, though some material also acknowledging the difficult and actors as regards to the prospects of a dangerous security situation. constitutional review process and possible damage was reported. At 11:00 pm on modalities of assistance. In this regard, the the same day, the Al-Arab Mosque, Director of the Office met the Deputy Speaker located in the very centre of the city, In his comments, Ambassador Bolton was surrounded by more than 50 Iraqi highlighted that the latest reporting period of the Council of Representatives, Dr. Attiya, police cars. There were around 20 included the killing on 7 June of al-Qaida who indicated that the constitutional review people inside the mosque including leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and one of his committee is not likely to be established before the end of the summer parliamentary recess. guards and students. Accounts of key associates, Sheikh abd Al-Rahman, how the shooting started vary. Ten men although he said the organization still posed a from inside the mosque were reportedly threat. ***** killed in the incident and additional ten

were arrested. Out of ten, four remain in “The measure of success will be the dawn of Electoral Update detention on charges of being involved the day when the Iraqi people are fully able in the Qadimah bombing. According to to secure their own safety, freedom and The International Electoral Assistance (IEA) one source who spoke to the Human prosperity,” he said. Legal adviser met with Dr. Mashadani, Speaker Rights Officer one of the killed in the of the Council of Representatives, who stressed Al-Arab mosque incident was a 14 or In his briefing to the Council, Iraq’s Foreign the need for UN support on legislative and 15-year-old student by the name of Minister Hoshyar Zebari also highlighted al- electoral issues. In a separate meeting, Deputy Mustafa Hassan. Zarqawi’s killing but added that security Speaker Attiya expressed concern about the operations must go hand in hand with current deadlock at the CoR due to a dispute On 31 May, the Iraqi cabinet decided to initiatives to promote national consensus, over the powers of the speaker. launch its own investigation into the tolerance, justice and respect for human Haditha deaths. On 4 June Vice- rights. During the week, DSRSG Schulenburg met President Tariq, Al Hashimi was quoted Chairman of the Independent Electoral in the press asking for UN participation Commission of Iraq (IECI), Hussein Hindawi, in the Haditha probe. The same day, the “With the formation of the new full-term who requested greater UN support to the IECI Sunni Waqf asked for UN intervention Government and recent elimination of the in the up coming months as that is one of the to solve the situation in Basra. A most notorious terrorist, al-Zarqawi, we sense guarantees of independence for the IECI from great momentum among the Iraqi people, and network of human rights NGOs political interference. a very real chance to turn our situation around,” he told the Council members. 2 Mapping of District Election Commissions for wrote to the High Commissioner for In an incident that received widespread one month’s basic supplies to recently Human Rights requesting that OHCHR international coverage, the murder of a Russian displaced send a commission of inquiry in order to diplomat and abduction of four others in a daylight families requires approximately US $ look into the reported crimes in Haditha attack on 3 June 2006 emphasized the threat faced 170 per family, or nearly US $ 3.12 and the latest ones in Basra. by even the well protected. million, while an additional US $ 700,000 to cover contributions to the On 30 May, the SRSG met with Ms. Ann A group of Anbar leaders, including the Governor, expenses of the host families each Clwyd, Special Envoy to Iraq on Human met in Jordan with representatives of the US month is required. This excludes the Rights for the British Prime Minister, in government and military in an attempt to identify support costs related to logistics and order to discuss the current human rights solutions to the security problems faced by the administration of the activities. situation in Iraq. On 7 June the Human governorate. Near daily clashes in Ramadi Therefore, the monthly total could easily Rights Office participated in a delegation between insurgents and MNF-I/ISF in recent equal US $ 4 million simply to stem the visiting the Kurdish Regional Government weeks prompted the US military on 29 May 2006 tide of suffering. (KRG) in Erbil. During meetings with the to announce a major reinforcement of US troops in Minister of Human Rights, the Minister for Anbar. The troop reinforcement has been At the same time, funding for medium Martyrs and Anfal Victims (a newly interpreted as presaging a major military offensive and longer term initiatives is required, to created position), the Minister for Judicial in the city. League of Arab States Envoy Lamani both mitigate and prevent the Affairs and the Prime Minister, it was visited Erbil on 2 June 2006 and the President of displacement. While these issues were made clear that UN assistance in the area the Kurdistan Regional Government, raised at the Briefing on IRFFI Progress of human rights and rule of law would be to Donors, held in Amman on 24 May, welcome. Massoud Barzani, offered to host the LAS 2006, and in a side event the following Conference scheduled for 20-22 June 2006 in day hosted by Cluster F, DSRSG Jean- On 11 June CHRO, together with UNDP Erbil instead of Baghdad, in a clear reference to Marie Fakhouri also met with the Country Director, chaired the first thematic the deterioration of security in the Capital. On 5 various agencies and clusters, building working group on human rights with the June 2006, the Association of Muslim Scholars, upon the indications from the donors UNCT at UNAMI HQ Amman. The whose presence at the preparatory meeting in during the Briefing and identifying working group will facilitate information Cairo in November 2005 was one of the successful potential strategic directions. In sharing on human rights and rule of law elements of the meeting, announced their decision particular, the DSRSG met with Cluster issues; to identify priorities and critical not to participate in the Baghdad conference. They F to discuss the critical IDP situation gaps in this sector; and thus to support complained that the undertakings from Cairo had Iraq is facing and possible interventions planning and programming by the UN not yet been fulfilled, and warned of a full-blown from the UN and its partners. With civil war if the Government continued, “in renewed interest from ECHO in possible system in Iraq on human rights and the rule annihilating a certain segment of Iraqi society”. funding for Iraq, a working group was of law and, more broadly, in order to established to examine the situation and support the mainstreaming of human rights Meanwhile, SRSG Qazi continued his separate propose a possible advocacy strategy for into development and humanitarian consultations with senior-level Iraqi Government humanitarian issues in general and the representatives and key international partners. He current situation in particular. programs. met with Deputy President Al- Mahdi and the On 6 June Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Barham Salih, who is announced that his government would also the acting Minister of State for National During his meetings in Baghdad and release 2,500 detainees from MNF Security Affairs Erbil, the DSRSG had an opportunity to custody. share ideas on the humanitarian, The SRSG also called upon the U.S. Ambassador reconstruction and development agenda ***** to discuss focused on outstanding ministerial posts with donors as well as various in the Government formation process, the governmental and institutional Political Update Parliamentary/ Constitutional review agenda, as stakeholders, including the KRG and Stalemate over appointment of minister of well as the situation in Basra after the Government Baghdad ministries and officials. In Defence, Interior and National Security declared a state of emergency in this city. The particular, with the recent unification of SRSG undertook additional soundings with his was resolved on 8 June when the Prime administrations within the KRG, the Minister presented his candidates to the interlocutors on the UN-facilitated Baghdad Peace DSRSG and KRG officials, including Council of Representatives. Thereby Initiative and about status and preparations of the the Prime Minister, exchanged views on formation of the new cabinet, which was upcoming League of Arab Sates (LAS) conference the latest political developments and scheduled for 22 June in Baghdad where the Prime inaugurated on 20 May, has been socio-economic challenges in the competed. The Minister of Defence is Gen. Minister is expected to present the Government’s Kurdistan Region as well as ways and Abdulkadir Mohammed Jassim al-Obeidi, ‘Reconciliation Initiative’ respectively the PM’s means to enhance coordination between a Sunni Arab; the Minister of Interior - plan to at that forum. the KRG and UN Country Team, within Jawad al-Bolani, Shiite Arab; and National the mandates of the UN Agencies and Security Minister – Sherwan al-Waili, also Also during the week, SRSG Qazi welcomed the UNAMI. To this end, OCUNA a Shiite. new UNAMI DSRSG for Development and provided a proposal for a mechanism for Humanitarian Affairs, Jean-Marie Fakhouri for his systematized and enhanced coordination between the KRG and the UN. The Prime Minister’s other major familiarization tour in Baghdad. The SRSG also met with the Special Envoy to the British Prime ***** initiative, a visit to Basrah to quell factional fighting among Shia militia and Minister for Human Rights in Iraq, Ambassador political groups, resulted in the imposition Ann Clwyd. ***** Brief from Public of a month-long state of emergency with Information Office (PIO) the promised deployment of Iraqi army forces onto the streets. However, a car Relief, Reconstruction & On Saturday, 17 June, 2006, PIO has bomb on 3 June 2006, killing at least 28 Development Activities issued a press release on SRSG’s strong and wounding 62, and yesterday’s killing condemnation of attack on Buratha of 11 Sunnis during dawn prayer, at Al- Over the past month, the main concern of the Mosque and the assassination of the Arab Mosque in Az Zubair District – a humanitarian, reconstruction and development Imam of Al-Kabir Mosque in Basra. Sunni area outside Basrah, underlined the activities continued to be the ongoing extent of the challenge presented by the displacement of Iraqis as a result of sectarian On Thursday, 15 June, PIO has arranged deteriorating security situation in Iraq’s tensions. To date, there are over 1.3 million for a Luncheon with the Head of Iraqi second largest city. The lawlessness Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Iraq, with within Baghdad was underlined by over 110,000 in just the past months following the 3 unchecked sectarian murders and Febreuary bombing of shrines in Samarra. While kidnappings. the costs are still estimates, a single distribution of Journalists Rights Defense Association farewell Col Tarter, and welcome Brig (IJRDA) and three other members of the Lunelli. Col Tarter had attended the NGO. Among the issues discussed was Australian Defence College with the cooperation between UNAMI and IJRDA, UNGU Contingent Commander; Brig ways to promote protection of Iraqi Naivalurua back in 2000.UNGU now journalists and assistance in enhancing looks forward to another challenging capacity of Iraqi journalists and their reporting period with anticipation. associations. *****

On Wednesday, 14 June, PIO has arranged an Photos from UNAMI interview for the SRSG with Addustour Iraqi Activities Daily. Jake Morland trains for the North Pole

Race to raise funds for refugees- June 06 On Saturday, 10 June, PIO also arranged for the SRSG a one- on-one interview with the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation The Polar Race, dubbed the ‘world’s toughest race’, International (LBCI). starts from Resolute Bay in Nunavut (North Western Territories of Canada). It takes the contestants 400 PIO has circulated on Friday, 9 June, the miles across the most desolate terrain in the world, in latest Secretary-General's report on UNAMI temperatures as low as -40C to the Magnetic North activities in Iraq (S/2006/360) in Arabic, Pole. Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Competitors in the race will typically be self- sufficient, dragging sledges of up to 70 kg on foot or SRSG with members of Iraqi Journalists On Thursday, 8 June, 2006, PIO has issued a on ski, containing tents, food, and communication Rights Defense Association (IJRDA) press release on SRSG’s welcoming the and positioning devices, cooking equipment and 15/06/06 completion of Iraqi Government. medical supplies.

On Tuesday, 06 June, PIO has arranged a Competitors undergo a year long training program deep background gathering with two New which equips competitors with the survival and York Times journalists. racing skills necessary for the race, which will take place in March, 2007. PIO has finalized the first draft of the Baghdad Peace Initiative (BPI) media and PR campaign strategy. The campaign plan with Those who would like to support Team Refuge, projected cost awaits review and/or approval kindly visit the following website: as part of the larger progress with the BPI. http://www.teamrefuge.org/

On Tuesday, 30 May, PIO has arranged an ***** SRSG Ashraf Qazi and visiting USG for official lunch for the SRSG with two Security and Safety Sir David Venesse journalists from the Washington Post and 4/06/06 Newsweek. The meeting was on deep Fiji Guard Activities background basis. The UNGU 4 under the command of Lt Col Seremaia Tuikoro has firmly established itself in Baghdad after taking over command from Lt Col On Sunday, 4 June, 2006, PIO has issued a press release on the mission's condemnation Mason Smith on 05 May 06. During the same period of the killing and abduction of Russian an additional fifty-five (55) guards were deployed to diplomats in Baghdad, reiterating its the new UN Regional Office compound, Erbil. condemnation of increased violence in Iraq. On 02 June 06, Sir David Veness was accorded an On Friday, 1 June, 2006, PIO also issued a honour guard by the UN Guard Unit on the occasion press release on the visit made by Kurdistan of his third visit to UNAMI. Later he was also Regional Government’s Coordinator for accorded a traditional Fijian ceremony of welcome United Nations Affairs (OCUNA) to the followed by a very informal session with the guard United Nations/Iraq Country Team in unit around the kava bowl and cultural Amman. entertainment. An UNGU honor Guard to DSRSG ***** Jean-Marie Fakhouri in Erbil- 8/06/06 On 08 June, the UNGU in Erbil welcomed the new A UNAMI staff member Races DSRSG Jean Maria Michel Fakhouri with an honour guard on his inaugural visit to the region and the new to the North Pole to Raise camp. UNAMI Focus Funds for refugees Is an internal bulletin produced UNGU has spent some effort through its Outreach by the Public information Office Programme to engage security agencies, coalition Mr. Jake Morland, a UNAMI staff member of the United Nations Assistance neighbours including the ISF in the IZ to develop with the Humanitarian and Reconstruction Mission for Iraq. The views professional relationships, mutual understanding and Department will team up with Mr. James network. On 10 June, the staff of SSU and UNGU printed in it do not necessarily Turner in the North Pole Race to raise funds reflect those of the United for the cause of refugees in the world. The hosted Brig Gen Mohamed Wasef to a lunch to a lunch at the Diwan DFAC. Brig Gen Wasef is the 5th Nations. team is called Team Refuge. th Brigade Commander, 6 Division, responsible for IZ For further information security. The Polar Race, dubbed the ‘world’s toughest contact e-mail: race’, starts from Resolute Bay in Nunavut Visitors to the UNAMI HQ, Diwan School unami [email protected] (North Western Territories of Canada). It compound through our Outreach Programme also Or Adnan Jarrar, takes the contestants 400 miles across the included members of the Coalition Forces. On 15 Phone + 962 6 550 4700 most desolate terrain in the world, in June 06, UNGU hosted the head of the coalition Ops, Extensions: 2644 temperatures as low as -40C to the Magnetic Brig Lunelli (italy) and his deputy, Col Tarter (US) 4 Visit our web site www.uniraq.org North Pole. to a Fijian cultural night. The event was organised to