Assistance Mission for (UNAMI)

UNAMI FOCUS

Voice of the Mission

News Bulletin on UNAMI Activities Issue No. 18 December 2007

SRSG Staffan de Mistura in that Iraq will spend $900 million on capital 12 Nov 2007 projects across Baghdad. The conference In his first town-hall meeting address to was hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister, UNAMI staff, Special Representative of the Barham Saleh, the two Vice Presidents, Secretary General for Iraq Staffan de Adel Abd-al-Mahdi and Tareq Al-Hashimi, Mistura, reiterated his commitment to fulfill Baghdad’s Mayor, Saber Al-Essawi, UNAMI’s mandate as stated in UNSCR Baghdad’s Governor, Ali Muyassar, and the 1770. He emphasized that special attention commander of the Baghdad Security Plan, will be given to national reconciliation and Abboud Qunbur. national dialogue as stated in the resolution, SRSG Staffan de Mistura Paying Tribute to which clearly calls for a larger UN role in the victims of the Canal Hotel Bombing the country. He expressed the hope that this expansion will lead to tangible results, and UNAMI Focus Interview with the that no effort will be spared by the Mission SRSG, Mr. Staffan de Mistura towards achieving its stated goals.

UNAMI Focus: Can you provide the Mr. de Mistura said that his immediate UNAMI Focus readers with a synopsis of priorities are to quickly assume his responsibilities and take initiative to ensure your priorities, along with the things you Baghdad Rehabilitation Day that his activities and initiatives are felt in hope to achieve, in Iraq for the upcoming the country, as well as making certain that year? To launch the initiative, Deputy Prime his, are consistent with those priorities of Minister Barham Saleh extended an his Iraqi counterparts. SRSG: Before arriving in Baghdad, the invitation to the Special Representative of

Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has the Secretary General (SRSG) of the United indicated to me and other colleagues that he Mr. de Mistura expects that one of the major Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, Mr. attaches a high degree of importance to UN priorities will be focused on regional Staffan de Mistura, to attend and address the Security Council Resolution 1770 and to the dialogue, a sentiment that was highlighted conference. Continued on page 2 way in which the UN team should make a during the neighbouring countries' expanded difference both in Baghdad and in New meeting held in Istanbul 2-4 November York. 2007. INDEX:

Regarding priorities, the Secretary General Interview with the SRSG 1 Prior to his address, the SRSG paid tribute was very clear, as it is part of his own to the 22 victims, staff members of the SRSG Staffan de Mistura in philosophy, that he is result-oriented and United Nations, who were killed during the Baghdad 1 therefore the priorities are to be identified, August 2003 Canal Hotel Bombing. in line with UNSCR 1770, within the areas The Baghdad Rehabilitation Day 1 the UN could immediately assist with. At By Randa Jamal the request of the Iraqi government, we will Constitutional Support 2 focus on the priority areas they identify ***** where we could have the added value of the Electoral Update 3 UN. For instance, the first priority The Baghdad Rehabilitation Day 14 November 2007 Humanitarian, Development and identified is the returning flow of refugees Reconstruction Update 3 and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In A development plan for Iraq is essential, this regard, with the concrete assistance of given the infrastructure difficulties that Update 3 UNHCR, we have mobilized a UN response citizens of this country have endured for the jointly with the Iraqi Ministry of past several years. As a start to this plan, Political Affairs Update 4 Displacement and Migration. senior Iraqi Government Officials PIO Launches New The second area is undoubtedly the political announced during the Baghdad Communication Strategy For 2008 4 national dialogue. Continued on page 2 Rehabilitation Day, on 14 November 2007, 1 Interview with the SRSG (continued) Erbil, we have a more stable and secure strengthening of official and social This is an area we are keen and actively situation that has attracted many foreign institutions, as well as promoting Human pursuing in helping all sides in Iraq to companies and NGOs. Therefore we believe Rights and the Rule of Law. facilitate political dialogue. This could be that the UN system should increase its By Randa Jamal done by facilitating the electoral, activities there. Additionally, we are present constitutional processes, and in accelerating in Baghdad and generally we intend, as ***** the implementation of laws, such as the circumstances permit, to increase our Constitutional Support Hydrocarbon Law. These are crucial areas presence. in which the substantive expertise of the UN It is anticipated that, in early January 2008, UNAMI Focus: Assuming the could contribute to creating a feeling of trust the Chair of the Constitutional Review responsibilities of the Special among the various stakeholders in Iraq. Committee, Sheikh Humam Hammoudi, Representative of the Secretary General for The third area is to offer the UN expertise, Iraq is indeed challenging, what were the will request an additional extension of the always at the request of Iraqi authorities, in motivations and factors that made you Constitutional Review Process beyond the areas where the UN has substantial decide for it? current deadline of 31 December 2007, in experience. Examples include the issue of order to permit the Constitutional Review provincial boundaries, where the UN SRSG: Three reasons were the motivating Committee to continue its deliberations for provided its technical expertise in other factors. The first one, as mentioned earlier, an additional six month period. At the end countries. Therefore the UN should put this is the Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who of this period, the Committee would submit expertise at the disposal of the . indicated the great deal of importance of the a final report to the Iraqi Council of Another area where we have substantial re-launching of UN activities in the Representatives for approval. The Office of competence is in Human Rights. This area is challenging context of Iraq under UNSCR Constitutional Support (OCS) has continued part of UNSCR 1770 and it is part of the 1770. This is the test of how the UN can do to work closely with the Constitutional UN mandate in the country. These do not its best to help the country which clearly Review Committee over the past months exclude other areas that are of great deserves international assistance. and will continue to facilitate its importance, such as, the International deliberations throughout this process. Compact for Iraq, the International The second reason was a feeling of legacy left unfinished by friends and colleagues Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, and Together with the UN Office for Project who gave their life to the UN and for Iraq in regional dialogue through the provision, on Services (UNOPS) and with funding support Baghdad. our side, of the secretariat system on an ad from the European Commission via the hoc basis. International Reconstruction Fund Facility And the third reason is the feeling, which UNAMI Focus: With the expansion of may just be a feeling, that is also shared by for Iraq (IRFFI), the OCS is currently UNAMI’s mandate, and in light of the others, that this forthcoming twelve months developing a proposal for a study tour to security restrictions, what are your are going to be crucial in the . Northern Ireland and India for the benefit of immediate plans for facilitating the political members of the Constitutional Review process and for providing humanitarian ***** Committee, to be delivered in early 2008. assistance? The principal aim of the tour will be to The Baghdad Rehabilitation Day (continued) permit the Committee to dialogue with SRSG: The restrictions are unavoidably public officials who are, or were, directly linked to the security situation in Iraq. The SRSG expressed his appreciation to be involved in political negotiations concerning However, we are all noticing the lull in back in Baghdad at such an extraordinary the resolution of internal conflict and the terms of the extreme levels of violence we time and reiterated UN commitments to allocation of federal resources in these have seen in the past. This lull creates a fulfill SCR 1770, extending and expanding jurisdictions. The objective is to further window of opportunity which is fragile, but UNAMI’s mandate in Iraq. “As a result, you assist the Constitutional Review Committee that can be taken advantage of in order to will see a stronger presence of the UN and with the identification and formulation of properly utilize it, both by the Iraqis in the UN Agencies in Iraq, particularly here in possible solutions to the current political pushing ahead their own dialogue and on Baghdad, at the centre of the Government”, impasse within the Constitutional Review our side by increasing our presence, when Process, which extends to core issues security circumstances permit, in Baghdad, he said. relating to the design of the Iraqi state, Erbil, and in Basra. including the power of the Presidency, the UNAMI Focus: There is talk about opening He also praised the Government’s efforts relative competencies of governorates and new UN offices in Iraq, particularly in over a period of more than a year in Basra, is this a serious UN consideration? preparation for the International Compact regions versus the centre, and the allocation And if so, what are the impediments? for Iraq, launched in May of this year, of oil and gas revenues. adding that “the Compact recognizes that SRSG: The impediments are the resolving political and security challenges In order assist the Iraqi Parliament with the fluctuating security conditions in Basra are a pre-requisite to the reconstruction and development of constitutionally-mandated which in any case could certainly allow at economic revival that the Iraqi people want legislation, the OCS has begun to engage least some UN presence on a substantial and need”. In his address to the participants, with leading members of individual level. We currently have two UN system the SRSG also said “that is why - as the co- parliamentary sub-committees, including the Legal Committee, the Regions Committee, partners who are ready to be present there: chairs of the Compact - the UN stands ready the Security and Defense Committee, and UNDP (United Nations Development with all of its resources to assist the the De-ba’athification Committee. These Programme) and UNOPS (United Nations government to realize the vision. And that meetings were held to obtain information on Office for Project Services) will include the revival of its cities for the the respective work plans of the As for other parts of the country, different benefit of their people”. Staffan de Mistura parliamentary committees and to express security conditions prevail. For example, in stressed that the experience of the UN has UNAMI’s preparedness to provide technical comparative advantage to help in the assistance upon request. Parliamentary 2 engagements will continue upon the Humanitarian, Development and access by suspects to defense counsel as resumption of Parliament following the Reconstruction Update well as the quality of the defense. HRO Holiday recess. At the same time the OCS continued consultations with Iraqi has been active in the promotion of effective Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Government officials over a range of human coordination of advice to the Iraqi refugees and returnees remain high on the rights and rule of law issues. In Erbil, HRO Parliament among Baghdad-based humanitarian agenda. A key priority during discussed the situation of women in embassies and representations of the the month of November was the Kurdistan Region and strategies to help international community. The Office co- development of a Joint Government of Iraq / reduce incidents of gender violence with chaired the inaugural session of a United Nations Rapid Response Plan for Erbil Police Directorate officials. multilateral roundtable on legislative Immediate Assistance to Iraqi Returnees assistance on 5 December 2007 and will that was launched on 4 December. The plan HRO also met a number of NGOs, host the next session on 16 January 2008. provides US$ 11.4 million to assist some journalists and journalists’ associations in This forum is a joint initiative which the 5,000 voluntary returnee families (approx. November in Baghdad, Erbil and Amman. OCS developed with the Delegation of the 30,000 persons) for an initial period of three Additionally, HRO continued to follow up European Commission and the US and UK months. A longer-term policy framework is on a number of allegations of human rights Embassies. being developed to address the medium to violations, such as disappearances, longer term needs including providing excessive use of force during military ***** durable solutions for returning families. operations and abuse in detention, and Electoral Update sought clarifications and requested action to The establishment of the International be taken by responsible institutions of the The UNAMI electoral team together with its Compact for Iraq (ICI) Secretariat has Iraqi government. partners including UNDP (United Nations received a serious boost with the arrival of Development Programme), UNOPS (United the consultancy firm responsible for In Amman, , HRO continued to Nations Office of Project Services) and providing Technical Assistance to the ICI support the Iraqi Government and NGOs IFES (International Foundation for Policy Planning Unit . with trainings. The second phase of the 12- Elections Systems), continued its work with day training of trainers (ToT) on Human the Iraq Independent High Electoral November marked the official end of the Rights for Iraqi ministry officials began on 2 Commission (IHEC) on a number of UNCT’s “Cluster” coordination system. November and continued until 13 November capacity-building activities to ensure it The new coordination structure, which shifts with the help of UNOPS and the Tunis- attains a state of electoral preparedness. The the UNCT’s focus into Iraq, commenced on based Arab Institute for Human Rights IHEC Board of Commissioners in 1 December. Amman based Sector (AIHR). The training was attended by 21 November attended a workshop in the Outcomes Teams, comprising UN Agencies officials from the GoI and the KRG. In Republic of Korea, hosted by the National and NGO partners, have replaced the addition to the ToT, HRO also prepared for Election Commission (NEC) to discuss previous clusters. Four Policy Groups have a 9-day training course on psychosocial and electoral management issues including been established in Baghdad – Essential legal counseling for women to be held in operational planning and how to build Services, Protection, Governance, and Amman on 9-18 December 2007. This relationships with external stakeholders. Economic Development – to align the work training mainly targets staff of Iraqi NGOs of the UNCT more closely to the that deal with women victims of violence Voter registration is seen by UNAMI as a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through their own projects and programs or key step in holding free elections in Iraq. and the work of the ICI. through services provided by NGO-run UNAMI and its partners are advising the shelters. The training will also include Board of Commission on the steps The Humanitarian Coordinator has officials from the central and regional KRG necessary to form a future voter registry. To announced that the UN will officially launch Ministries of Human Rights as well as the this end, UNAMI and its partner Scuola a Consolidated Appeal for Iraq (CAP) at the Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Superiore Saint'Anna are holding a end of January 2008. The CAP will be and the KRG Ministry for Anfal. workshop in early December in Amman, developed in close consultation with the Jordan, to discuss operational planning and Government of Iraq and with participation to review options for implementing voter from UN Agencies, international and registration processes. national NGOs. The appeal will be modest, targeted and will focus on immediate needs In September 2007 the Board of of vulnerable groups, including but not Commission voted on the appointment of 11 limited to IDPs and returnees. The Office of of the 19 Directors of the Governorate Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Electoral Offices (GEO). UNAMI considers (OCHA) has already convened an the appointment of the directors to be a Interagency Humanitarian Working Group fundamental step in moving the Election which will drive the CAP process. Commission to a state of operational readiness. ***** SRSG addressing the HRO seminar

Human Rights Update HRO also held a three days’ seminar on the Consultations continue with Iraqi "Protection of Human Rights in Counter- stakeholders on fundamental issues such as UNAMI Human Rights Office (HRO) " aimed to primarily address gaps the election system and how to continued its monitoring activities, within the security system of the Kurdistan accommodate IDPs in election activities. including visits to detention facilities and Region to effectively deal with terror threats Considerable challenges remain in preparing prisons in the Kurdistan Region and and legal processes involving terror for future electoral events in Iraq, however, Baghdad. On 19 November, HRO observed suspects. This seminar offered an UNAMI continues to be available to advise trials of the Central Criminal Court of Iraq opportunity for key mid-level to high- on decisions needed to move the process (CCCI) in Baghdad, and noted violations ranking government officials from the forward. due to process rights, notably the extent of 3 region to assess and review existing Forum of Shiite and Sunni Clerics held in environment for the conduct of counter-terrorism practices and legislation al-Najaf on 27 November. This event was communication, public information and to ensure compliance with UN Global Legal held under the auspices of the Grand media programs. The most daunting task Framework against Terrorism, Human Ayatollah. At the end of the conference, al- continues to be a mutually hampered Rights, and the Rule of Law. The seminar, Sistani issued a statement stressing the accessibility with UNAMI’s PIO Iraqi attended by 134 participants, including similarities that both the Sunni and Shiites interlocutors. Understandably, the fluid heads of units from the National Security have in common. political process, the multi-sourced Branch and Asayish, anti-terror violence, the polarized sectarian divisions, investigators, judges of investigations and With the constitutional deadline for settling and the subsequent conflicting priorities senior judges from the Ministry of Justice, disputed territories set at the end of impede the expected movement of prosecutors, parliamentarians and December, lengthy discussions were held communication. representatives from the Ministry of Interior over the issue during a CoR session on 2 and Ministry of Human Rights, was held December. Raid Fahmi, the Chairman of For many years, the UN in Iraq has been from 27-29 November in Erbil. the High Commission on the perceived with skepticism by a large Implementation of Article 140 and Minister segment of the people with varying degrees, ***** of Science and Technology, presented a and for different reasons across the Political Affairs Update detailed report on the actions of the spectrum of Iraqi society. With new commission thus far. mandate under UNSCR 1770 which clearly While the challenges facing the Prime highlights UN priorities for Iraq, the Minister Nouri al-Maliki are ongoing since Regional and international efforts to Mission is offered renewed opportunities to the withdrawal of the Sadrist Trend and improve the situation in Iraq are on-going. cite its credentials as a neutral body in the Tawafuq Front from his cabinet, tangible On 2-3 November, foreign ministers of service of Iraq and its people and improve progress has been achieved in filling the Iraq's neighbouring countries, including its image. The UNAMI PIO Communication vacant ministerial posts. On 29 November, and Bahrain, met in Istanbul. The Strategy should develop the added space Ali Al-Bahadili, the Minister of Agriculture conference was also attended by P-5 and G- provided by SCR 1770 to emphasize this and Salih al-Hasnawi, the Minister of Health 8 members in addition to the European new impetus, and clearly communicate its were officially sworn in after their approval Union, the League of Arab States and the meaning for assisting Iraq more effectively. at the Council of Representatives (CoR). Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The PIO will craft its Communication However, other vacancies in the cabinet A Baghdad-based mechanism, supported by strategy to stay focused on message, while remain pending amid the lack of agreement the UN, was adopted on an ad-hoc basis for maintaining appropriate flexibility to among the Sunni parties on their the current working groups. Border tensions accommodate unforeseen developments, participation in the government. between Northern Iraq and Turkey were events and activities as directed by the also addressed on this occasion. SRSG, and coordinated with UNHQ, DPI With the government initiative to implement Consequently, on 3 November, KRG and DPA. and impose law and order nationwide, a (Kurdistan Regional Government) security security operation was launched in al- forces began to close down offices The message as clearly stated in SCR 1770, Diwaniya in mid-November to improve the belonging to the Kurdish party who is calls for the SRSG and UNAMI, at the security situation in the governorate. sympathetic to PKK. request of the Government of Iraq, to assist Viewing the campaign as an attempt to the Government and people of Iraq on target them, the Sadrists reacted vehemently On 26 November, Prime Minister Nouri al- advancing their inclusive political dialogue and accused the Islamic Supreme Council of Maliki and U.S. President George Bush and national reconciliation; the Independent Iraq (ISCI) of being behind the operation. signed a Declaration of Principles on the High Electoral Commission; assist the However, their leadership showed a Long-Term Cooperation and Friendship Council of Representatives on commitment to Muqtada al-Sadr’s decision, between the two, which is perceived by the Constitutional Review, as well as on the in August, to suspend the Mahdi Army Iraqi Government as the first step towards development of processes acceptable to the activities for the duration of six months as achieving full-fledged sovereignty which Government of Iraq to resolve disputed well as respecting the agreement that was would enable them to avoid any internal boundaries; facilitating regional signed in October by both the Sadr trend arrangements to be made under the auspices dialogue, including on issues of border and ISCI. of the UN Charter Chapter VII. security, energy, and refugees. When deemed propitious, SCR 1770 calls on ISCI leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim ***** UNAMI to assist the Government of Iraq on concluded a series of diplomatic tours. On initial planning for the conduct of a 11 November, he started by visiting PIO Launches New Communication comprehensive census; coordination and where he met with government officials, Strategy For 2008 delivery of humanitarian assistance and the including President Mahmoud safe, orderly, and voluntary return of Ahamdinejad. Prior to his visit, al-Hakim In early December 2007, The Special refugees and displaced persons; coordinate expressed hope for swift foreign troop Representative of the Secretary-General for the implementation of the International withdrawal from Iraq, a position that he had Iraq (SRSG) Staffan de Mistura approved a Compact with Iraq; promote the protection rarely advertised previously. Subsequently, new PIO Communication strategy for 2008. of Human Rights and judicial and legal al-Hakim visited the U.S. and met with The new Communication Strategy, is the reform in order to strengthen the Rule of President George Bush in Washington on 27 product of the collaborative efforts of Law in Iraq. November. UNAMI PIO team, and envisions a wide range of activities and initiatives aimed at To this end, the PIO Communication Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most staying in step with the United Nations Strategy aims to highlight the following revered Shiite religious authority in Iraq, enhanced role in Iraq. objectives: under took another initiative towards sectarian reconciliation. About 200 Islamic The new Communication Strategy • Ensure that increased visibility is scholars participated in the First National recognizes that Iraq remains a challenging compatible with the mandated 4 expansion as called for in SCR programs aimed at helping the 1770, and balanced by guarded capacity-building of the Iraqi UNAMI Focus caution to accommodate security media and communication requirements. counterparts in the country. Is an internal bulletin produced by • Ensure the mission’s mandate, • The PIO shall improve its skills, the Public Information Office of the objectives and responsibilities are train its staff, increase its resources, United Nations Assistance Mission fully and widely understood. and coordinate with other for Iraq. The opinions expressed in • Promote and communicate all substantive sections to meet the this bulletin do not necessarily aspects of the mission’s various aforementioned objectives. reflect those of the United Nations. components’ activities to the For further information contact e- national and international Finally, communication and outreach efforts mail: community, without inflating regarding UNAM’s role are not only [email protected] expectations. conducted within the country, but are also Or Randa Jamal, • Defend and protect the mission extended to regional and global levels. This Phone + 962 6 550 4700 from defamation, unjustified is achieved by the role of the SRSG, his Extensions: 2644 criticism and misinformation. designates and authorized activities, and Visit our web site www.uniraq.org • Communicate and coordinate with supported by a comprehensive PIO UNHQ, DPI, DPA and SG communication strategy, actively engaged Spokesperson’s office to ensure with Iraqi and international media and target commonality of message and avoid audiences. confusion or ambiguity. • Develop realistic and achievable *****

ﺑﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ ﻋﻴﺪ اﻷﺿﺤﻰ On the Occasion of Eid Al Adha Al Mubarak, اﻟﻤﺒﺎرك و ﻋﻴﺪ اﻟﻤﻴﻼد Christmas and the New اﻟﻤﺠﻴﺪ، ﺗﺘﻤﻨﻰ ﻟﻜﻢ Year, The United ﺑﻌﺜﺔ اﻷﻣﻢ اﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪة Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪة اﻟﻌﺮاق UNAMI) Wishes) أﻋﻴﺎدا ﺳﻌﻴﺪة و ﺳﻨﺔ Everyone Blessed ﺟﺪﻳﺪة ﻣﻠﺆهﺎ اﻟﺴﻼم و Holidays and Peace and Joy in the New Year, اﻟﺘﻮﻓﻴﻖ ﻣﻊ ذوﻳﻜﻢ with Families, Friends وأﺻﺪﻗﺎﺋﻜﻢ وأﺣﺒﺎﺋﻜﻢ and Loved Ones

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