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Cablegate: Authorization to Begin Consultations On a Draft

Published: Sun 25 May 2008 05:10 PM
VZCZCXRO2944
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHC #5955 1461718
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 251710Z MAY 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1911
INFO DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI 1032
UNCLAS STATE 055955
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO SU
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO BEGIN CONSULTATIONS ON A DRAFT
UN SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE IN
ABYEI
1. PURPOSE: This is an action request. The Department
authorizes USUN to begin consultations with the United
Kingdom and France and subsequently the other Security
Council member states on the following draft UN Security
Council Presidential Statement on recent violence in
Abyei:
The Security Council expresses its grave concern about the
recent violence and escalating tensions in the Abyei
region in Sudan and the resulting casualties and
displacement of thousands of civilians.
The Security Council demands that the Sudanese Armed
Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA)
immediately cease hostilities, abide by the May 18, 2008,
ceasefire agreement, and withdraw forces from the area.
The Security Council urges all parties to allow the United
Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to have full freedom of
movement in the Abyei area to reduce tensions and prevent
further violence. The Council reiterates its call on all
parties to support, protect, and facilitate all
humanitarian operations and personnel in the Sudan.
The Security Council urges the parties to implement the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) fully, prevent further
violence and immediately work to end the political
deadlock by establishing interim borders and an interim
administration.
The Security Council further calls for the release of the
local oil revenues intended to develop the Abyei region,
as called for by the CPA.
2. BACKGROUND: Clashes between the SPLA and SAF began on
May 13, 2008, at a police check point in Abyei town. It
appeared to be localized fighting between individuals and
later escalated to exchanges of fire and military
confrontation between the SPLA and SAF. UNMIS helped
implement a May 15 compromise to cease hostilities. After
renewed fighting May 16-17, the Ceasefire Joint Monitoring
Commission (CJMC) brokered a ceasefire whereby both
parties agreed to withdraw forces from the area. More
than 100,000 people were affected by the conflict,
including 50,000 new internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The oil-rich and ethnically important area of Abyei has
been long contested by both the North and South, making it
a significant unresolved issue in implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and an area greatly at risk
for large-scale violence.
3. POINT-OF-CONTACT: Grace M. Kang, IO/PSC,
202-736-7735.
RICE
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