United Nations S/ PV.7271 Security Council Provisional asdf Sixty-ninth year 7271st meeting Friday, 19 September 2014, 2 p.m. New York President: Mr. Kerry/Ms. Power ............................. (United States of America) Members: Argentina ...................................... Mr. Zuain Australia . Ms. Bishop Chad .......................................... Mr. Mahamat Chile .......................................... Mr. Riveros China ......................................... Mr. Liu Jieyi France ......................................... Mr. Fabius Jordan ......................................... Mr. Judeh Lithuania ....................................... Ms. Murmokaitė Luxembourg .................................... Mr. Asselborn Nigeria . ........................................ Mrs. Ogwu Republic of Korea ................................ Mr. Oh Joon Russian Federation ............................... Mr. Churkin Rwanda ........................................ Ms. Mushikiwabo United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ... Mr. Ellwood Agenda The situation concerning Iraq This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the translation of speeches delivered in other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room U-0506. Corrected records will be reissued electronically on the Official Document System of the United Nations (http://documents.un.org). 14-54191 (E) *1454191* S/PV.7271 The situation concerning Iraq 19/09/2014 The meeting was called to order at 2.10 p.m. well as for making it possible for our Mission to fulfil its mandate. The Council’s consistent calls for inclusive Adoption of the agenda political engagement, timely elections and a process for forming a Government have not gone unheeded. Its The agenda was adopted. condemnation of the violence and human rights abuses has been welcomed by Iraqis. Finally, its consistent The situation concerning Iraq pronouncements, most recently through the adoption The President: It is my pleasure to warmly of resolution 2170 (2014), continue to encourage the welcome the extraordinary turnout of Ministers and people of Iraq by letting them know they are not alone. other representatives present in the Security Council Iraq’s transition has been painful and scarred by Chamber. The participation here today and the number much violence. Its people, however, have shown an of people who have travelled from afar — some of unmatched ability to persevere, despite the difficulties. whom, like Laurent Fabius, are going to turn around, go Most recently, amid a rapidly deteriorating security right back and then come back again — and the extent of environment, they came out to vote in a competitive the dedication of so many in being here, given the press election that was followed, finally, by a peaceful of business for everyone in the Chamber, is a statement transfer of power. As Iraq’s new Government of in and of itself about the importance of the matter under national unity is moving to restore security to large discussion. We are therefore deeply grateful, not just parts of the country, it is also seeking to strengthen for the response to our invitation but to all the countries the relationship between the ethnic and religious that have understood the responsibility and seriousness communities and to develop inclusive policies that of this moment. We thank everyone heartily. contribute to social peace and cohesiveness. It is also In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s looking to the international community for support. provisional rules of procedure, I invite the Today, as Iraq faces life-threatening danger from representatives of Albania, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, the advances of ISIL, its people look to the countries Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Iraq, the represented here — the members of the Security Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, the Council, their neighbours, allies and friends. They look Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, to the international community and the United Nations Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the Syrian Arab Republic, for collective measures aimed at removing this threat to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to participate in peace in Iraq and the rest of the region. this meeting. Since the beginning of the year, ISIL and its In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s affiliated armed groups have captured large parts of provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Nickolay northern and western Iraq. They have gained access Mladenov, Special Representative of the Secretary- to substantial amounts of weapons and financial and General and Head of the United Nations Assistance natural resources. Their networks, spanning the globe, Mission for Iraq, to participate in this meeting. reach out in order to recruit foreign fighters in their battle to dismantle the Iraqi State. Months before The Security Council will now begin its Mosul fell into ISIL’s hands, the provinces of Anbar consideration of the item on its agenda. and Ninewa had become fertile ground for this terrorist I give the floor to Mr. Mladenov. organization. Throughout this period the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq observed and underscored Mr. Mladenov: It is indeed an honour to brief the the organization’s evolving strategy of terror, which Security Council today on behalf of the Secretary- continues to systematically undermine the legitimate General. authorities through kidnappings, assassinations and This is the fourth time I have addressed the Council violence. It seeks to use the discontent among some on the devastation inflicted on the people of Iraq by the communities to turn it into bitterness and violence. It Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). On behalf is using its consolidated control over extended territory of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq in both Iraq and Syria, combined with an ideology of (UNAMI), I would like to thank the Security Council hatred, fear and nihilism, to present a clear danger to for its continued interest and unity in expressing the very existence of a unified Iraqi State. It is a threat support for the people and the Government of Iraq, as to the region and to international security. 2/43 14-54191 19/09/2014 The situation concerning Iraq S/PV.7271 In recent weeks, the combined efforts of targeted On behalf of the entire United Nations family, I airstrikes, Iraqi security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga would like to thank those Member States that to date operations have enabled some areas to be brought back have responded to our call for assistance and followed under the control of the legitimate authorities. They have through with generous support to the United Nations been instrumental in saving thousands of lives from humanitarian effort. I would also like to recognize the imminent death on Mount Sinjar, in the town of Amirli Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has contributed some and elsewhere. They have protected the city of Erbil; $500 million of the total $712 million given so far for the they have safeguarded key infrastructure, including the United Nations effort in Iraq. Over 60 per cent of that Mosul and Haditha Dams, and they have halted ISIL’s substantial donation has already been spent on tents, advance towards the capital, Baghdad. Despite those food and other items for the hundreds of thousands of successes, however, ISIL forces have most recently internally displaced persons. Having said that, I have been able to take control of key towns in Salahadine to note with growing concern that available funding for province. But I am encouraged to report that in the face humanitarian operations will be exhausted before the of this growing threat, cooperation and coordination on winter and additional support will be needed. security between the Federal Government of Iraq and The current crisis has had a devastating effect on the Kurdistan Regional Government has substantially the respect and protection of human rights in Iraq. The increased. United Nations estimates that, since January, there have Iraq is facing an escalating emergency, with as been some 25,000 civilian casualties, including at least many as 1.8 million people displaced since January. 8,500 killed and more than 16,000 wounded. On behalf About 850,000 of them have sought refuge in the of the Secretary-General and the entire United Nations Kurdistan region alone. Just in the past fortnight, an team in Iraq, I extend my deepest condolences to the additional 10,000 families from Diyala province have families of all civilian casualties across Iraq and to the been displaced from their homes. The humanitarian victims of terrorism. Minority communities, including crisis is not just in the north of the country; tens of Christians, Yazidis, Shabaks, Turkmen, and others, thousands of people have fled to the south, where have been particularly targeted by ISIL, which has many are being hosted by families and religious systematically and deliberately sought to cleanse them institutions. The pressure on local communities across from territories under its control, perpetrating acts that the country is growing, since the continuing influx may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity has created a massive shelter crisis. With