VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #0711 3040236
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 310218Z OCT 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 0000
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0000
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 0000
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 0000
UNCLAS STATE 150711
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC MO AG WI
SUBJECT: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS: MINURSO MANDATE RENEWAL
1. (U) ACTION REQUEST: USUN is instructed to vote in
favor of and to co-sponsor the MINURSO mandate renewal
resolution during UNSC voting on 31 October, 2007. The
text of the resolution is listed in paragraph 2. If there
are substantive changes to the text, USUN is instructed to
consult with Washington for additional guidance. USUN is
authorized to draw from the talking points in paragraph 3
as required for an explanation of vote and any press
statement on MINURSO following voting in the UN Security
Council.
2. (U) The complete text of the UNSCR is below:
Begin Text:
The Security Council,
PP1 Recalling all its previous resolutions on
Western Sahara,
PP2 Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts
of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy,
PP3 Reaffirming its commitment to assist the
parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable
political solution, which will provide for the
self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the
context of arrangements consistent with the principles and
purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting
the role and responsibilities of the parties in this
respect,
PP4 Reiterating its call upon the parties and
States of the region to continue to cooperate fully with
the United Nations and with each other to end the current
impasse and to achieve progress towards a political
solution,
PP5 Taking note of the Moroccan proposal presented
on 11 April 2007 to the Secretary-General and welcoming
serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process
forward towards resolution; also taking note of the
Polisario Front proposal presented 10 April 2007 to the
Secretary-General,
SIPDIS
PP6 Taking note of the two rounds of negotiations
held under auspices of the Secretary-General; welcoming
the progress made by the parties to enter into direct
negotiations with each other,
PP7 Taking note that both sides have agreed to
continue the process of negotiations through United
Nations sponsored talks,
PP8 Having considered the report of the
Secretary-General of 19 October 2007 (S/2007/619),
SIPDIS
OP1 Reaffirms the need for full respect of the
military agreements reached with MINURSO with regard to
the ceasefire;
OP 2 Calls upon the parties to continue to show
political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for
dialogue in order to engage in substantive negotiations,
thus ensuring implementation of resolution 1754 and the
success of negotiations;
OP3 Calls upon the parties to continue negotiations
under the auspices of the Secretary-General without
preconditions and in good faith, taking into account the
efforts made since 2006 and developments of the last
months, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and
mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide
for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara
in the context of arrangements consistent with the
principles and purposes of the Charter of the United
Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the
parties in this respect;
OP4 Invites Member States to lend appropriate
assistance to such talks;
OP5 Requests the Secretary-General to provide a
report by 31 January 2008 on the status and progress of
these negotiations under his auspices, and expresses its
intention to meet to receive and discuss this report;
OP6 Requests the Secretary-General to provide a
report on the situation in Western Sahara well before the
end of the mandate period;
OP7 Calls on Member States to consider voluntary
contributions to fund Confidence Building Measures that
allow for increased contact between separated family
members, especially family unification visits, as well as
for other confidence building measures that may be agreed
between the parties;
OP8 Decides to extend the mandate of the United
Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
(MINURSO) until 30 April 2008;
OP9 Requests the Secretary-General to continue to
take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance in
MINURSO with the United Nations' zero-tolerance policy on
sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council
informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take
appropriate preventive action including pre-deployment
awareness training, and other action to ensure full
accountability in cases of such conduct involving their
personnel;
OP10 Decides to remain seized of the matter.
End Text:
3. (U) USUN is instructed to draw from the following
talking points during the 31 October, 2007 UN Security
Council vote on MINURSO and press statement.
Begin Talking Points:
-- We are pleased that Morocco and the Polisario have met
for two rounds of negotiations under the auspices of the
United Nations. We welcome this development and urge both
parties to commit to full discussion of the substantive
issues during the next round of talks.
-- We believe that meaningful autonomy is a promising and
realistic way forward. Morocco's proposal is a serious
and credible initiative that provides the realistic basis
for negotiations.
-- We support a renewal of the MINURSO mandate at this
time; however, the USG wants to see progress towards a
political solution of this conflict before the next
renewal.
-- We hope to hear soon that the parties have agreed to a
date and venue for the third round of talks.
-- The United States remains convinced that the Western
Sahara conflict continues to impede regional integration
and development in the Maghreb. Unresolved, this
humanitarian crisis leaves the Sahrawi people with a bleak
future.
End Talking Points:
4. (U) Please contact LTC James Thomas, IO/PSC at
202-736-7737 for any additional questions or concerns.
RICE