Iraq
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A comprehensive report on Iraq’s compliance with resolution 1284 of 1999 (on the repatriation of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals or their remains and the return of all Kuwaiti property, including national archives following the 1990-1991 Gulf War) is expected by the Council in April. This may include the assessment of when the mandate can be concluded.
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The Council is expecting a briefing on Iraq from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq, Staffan de Mistura. (The next report on the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is expected by 18 February.) The UNAMI mandate expires on 7 August.
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The Secretary-General’s periodic report to the Council on Iraq’s compliance with resolution 1284 of 1999 is due in early December. This report deals with the repatriation of Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, or their remains, and the return of property following the first Gulf War. The Council is likely to hold consultations and hear a briefing by High-Level Coordinator Gennady P. Tarasov.
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The mandate of the multinational forces in Iraq (MNF-I) expires on 31 December. Resolution 1790, which had renewed the mandate on 18 December 2007, is therefore expected to be the last extension of MNF-I’s mandate, assuming that the bilateral agreement on status of forces (SOFA) between the US and Iraq is approved by Iraq’s parliament.
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The quarterly report on UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) is due by 7 November. Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, is likely to brief the Council in a public session in mid November. A US briefing on the Multinational Force in Iraq (MNF-I) is also expected. A debate is likely.
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The Council is facing a difficult decision over residual issues from the Iraq oil-for-food programme. The issue seems minor in that the amount involved ($273 million) is small relative to the $44 billion the programme managed throughout its 13 year life. However the spectre of the scandals raised in 2004-05 still looms.
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The mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) will expire on 10 August. The Council is expected to renew the mandate for 12 months without change. In June 2004, resolution 1546 established both the mandate for the UN in Iraq and also authorised the presence of the Multinational Force (MNF-I).
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After more than 7 years of activities, the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) was officially closed down on 29 February 2008 following the Council decision in June 2007 to terminate its mandate.
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In early June, the next report is due from the Secretary-General on Iraq’s compliance with resolution 1284 on the repatriation of Kuwaiti and third-country nationals or their remains, and the return of property following the first Gulf War. The Council will likely hold consultations and hear a briefing by the new High-level Coordinator Gennady Tarasov of Russia.
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The Council is expected to review in June the mandates of the Multi-National Force in Iraq (MNF-I), the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB, the audit oversight body for the DFI).
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The Iraq oil-for-food programme came to an end on 31 December 2007. However, many issues concerning letters of credit remain outstanding and the Council continues to receive progress reports from the Secretary-General on the processing of those issues. The next progress report is expected in May.
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In April the Council is expecting a report on the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, is likely to brief the Council in a public session. The US is also likely to brief the Council on the Multi-National Force in Iraq (MNF-I).
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The Security Council is expecting a briefing on Iraq, perhaps from the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq, Staffan de Mistura. The next report on the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) is due by 15 January. The US is also expected to brief the Council on the activities of the Multinational Force in Iraq (MNF-I).
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At time of writing the Security Council is discussing a letter from Iraq seeking renewal of the mandate of the Multinational Force in Iraq (MNF-I), but only for one year.
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The Iraq oil-for-food programme will finally be terminated on 31 December, according to resolution 1483. No further Council action is required. However, the Council will receive recommendations from the Secretary-General on mechanisms to deal with residual issues. The Council is likely to respond to the proposals in a letter.
