VZCZCXRO0132
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHC #6181/01 0462359
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 152356Z FEB 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0652
INFO DARFUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 016181
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREL PGOV UNSC SU
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ON
UNMIS 19 FEBRUARY 2008
1. PURPOSE: This is an action request. The Department
asks USUN to draw upon the following themes for the United
Nations (UN) Security Council briefing and consultations on
the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) on 19 February 2008.
-We welcome the January 31 report of the Secretary-General on
progress in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
(CPA) in Sudan and on the activities of the United Nations
Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS).
-We are pleased with progress in some areas, including the
return of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to the
Government of National Unity. We also welcome the
appointment of Sir Derek Plumbly as the new chairperson of
the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC), which was
established to monitor the implementation of the CPA.
-At the same time, however, we remain very concerned about
continued challenges to the full implementation of the CPA
and the commitment of all parties to cooperate to this
effect. We urge all parties to facilitate the full
implementation of the CPA.
-Today I would like to focus on seven areas where progress
must be made.
-First, the Sudanese Armed Forces and Sudan People's
Liberation Army troops must complete their redeployment away
from their respective sides of the north-south border.
-Second, the Joint Integrated Units must be properly equipped
and train together in order to become truly integrated. We
welcome the creation by UNMIS of a Joint Integrated Unit
Support Cell as a first step towards more substantial
progress, and we expect strong engagement by UNMIS in pushing
for results. The parties, especially the government, must
demonstrate a willingness to work together and accept the UN
Support Cell's role.
-Third, the Abyei question must be resolved and the
north-south border must be demarcated. We welcome intensive
monitoring by UNMIS in the area of Abyei and any further
facilitation of progress on these issues.
-Fourth, significant progress for the elections must take
place, including passing of an electoral law and implementing
a national census. We continue to be concerned that the
national census is behind schedule because of delaying
tactics by both sides. It must not be delayed yet again
beyond its current tardy date for implementation in April.
-Fifth, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)
of ex-combatants must be promoted. We welcome UNMIS's effort
to step up its engagement with the Northern and Southern
Commissions on DDR and its work with them to prepare a
framework for UN support for DDR. We look forward to
implementation of such a framework. More funding from both
the Sudanese and international community is needed for real
progress to be made.
-Sixth, we urge all parties to cooperate fully with the
Assessment and Evaluation Commission, established to monitor
CPA implementation, on all matters related with this purpose.
-Finally, all parties must facilitate UNMIS in fulfilling its
mandate. We are concerned that UNMIS's movement was
restricted in October and November and expect that all
parties allow its full freedom of movement as this is
essential to the implementation of its mandate.
-We appreciate UNMIS' provision of good offices, monitoring
in a wide range of important areas, and other support for CPA
implementation. However, we welcome any efforts by UNMIS to
more proactively facilitate the implementation of the CPA.
We encourage UNMIS to do its utmost, within the limits of its
mandate, to facilitate the implementation of the CPA. We
look forward to the Secretary General's report in April on
how UNMIS may most effectively support CPA implementation,
but we believe the current mandate allows for much more
engagement by UNMIS.
-We also welcome UNMIS's continued efforts to support the
United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and
the Joint Mediation Support Team for Darfur. We see peace in
Darfur as linked to peace between the north and south in
Sudan and urge any cooperation towards these ends.
STATE 00016181 002 OF 002
2. POINT OF CONTACT: Grace M. Kang, IO/PSC, 202-736-7735.
3. BACKGROUND: The Department remains concerned about
implementation of the CPA. A reversion to conflict between
north and south would have devastating consequences for
Darfur and Sudan as a whole. We want to encourage the
Security Council and members of the international community
to maintain focus on CPA implementation.
RICE