Cablegate: Un Mission in Sudan: Usun Talking Points For

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OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHC #0980/01 3002318
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 272257Z OCT 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 8386
INFO DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 110980

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC SU
SUBJECT: UN MISSION IN SUDAN: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR
CONSULTATIONS

1. This is an action request. USUN may draw from the
points in paragraph 2 during consultations before the
Security Council on the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) scheduled
for October 28, 2009.

2. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his
report and SRSG Qazi for his briefing. The United States
also wishes to express condolences to UNMIS, Pakistan, and
the family of UNMIS Deputy Force Commander Brigadier General
Moinuddin. The heinous act that took his life is
intolerable, and we hope justice will be done.

--Today, I would like to address three key elements for the
future of UNMIS: first, the 2010 elections; second,
increasing the capacity of UNMIS to protect civilians; and
third, preparing UNMIS to deal with further humanitarian
crisis.

--Last Monday, the United States released its new strategy on
Sudan, demonstrating our deep commitment to improving the
lives of the Sudanese people. This is a carefully considered
and results-oriented strategy. Our policy emphasizes three
strategic objectives: first, to reach a definitive end to
conflict, gross human rights violations, and genocide in
Darfur; second, to realize effective implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the North and South,
resulting in a peaceful post-2011 Sudan or an orderly path
toward two separate and viable states at peace with each
other; and third, to ensure that Sudan does not provide a
safe haven for international terrorists.

--The United States is prepared to work with all sides to see
these goals attained. We will employ incentives as
appropriate and exert real pressure as needed on any party
that fails to act to improve the lives of the people of
Sudan. We are fully committed to this endeavor, and we urge
all parties and the international community to support
efforts to reach these core objectives.

--The United States views credible elections in all of Sudan
in 2010 as an important step in the process of peace
building. We remain concerned about the ability of all
Sudanese, especially Darfuris, to participate meaningfully in
elections. This is not solely a technical issue of
clarifying registration and identification procedures for
internally displaced persons, but also a political issue that
requires tangible actions on the ground demonstrating,
especially to Darfuris, that it is in their interest to
participate in elections.

--We also remain concerned that the parties lack the
necessary political will to guarantee freedom of speech,
assembly, and the press. The recently signed Criminal
Procedures Act allows state governors or district
commissioners to restrict campaigning by political parties
and is a far cry from the type of legislation that would
facilitate political freedom.

--The time before scheduled elections is rapidly approaching,
and the task remains enormous. While the primary
responsibility for conducting the elections lies with the
Sudanese, the international community also must be ready to
work quickly with the parties to secure the basic elements
necessary for credible elections. The United States has
already provided substantial elections assistance and will
continue to do so, provided the parties demonstrate the
political will that is necessary to resolve remaining issues.

--The United States is deeply disturbed by the escalating and
pervasive violence in southern Sudan that has resulted in
substantial death and displacement. As President Obama has
noted, the protection of civilians is becoming more difficult
for peacekeepers; this is true in Sudan. While the
Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) bears primary
responsibility for protecting its citizens, UNMIS also has an
invaluable role to play, and we encourage the mission to
continue refining its concept of operations to reflect the
importance of civilian protection.

--UNMIS covers a broad territory and cannot be in all places
at all times. Developing highly mobile units that can
rapidly deploy is one part of providing effective civilian
protection. Similarly, working to resolve tribal tensions
and identifying potential hotspots can prevent conflict from
beginning in the first place. UNMIS needs a mission-wide
strategy on the protection of civilians of which these can

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play a part.

--The deteriorating humanitarian situation in southern Sudan
caused by inter-tribal violence and attacks by the Lord,s
Resistance Army is alarming. The Secretary-General,s report
estimated that this violence has displaced approximately
250,000 persons in southern Sudan since January 2009. The
violence, along with other factors, may cause as many as 1.5
million people to face a severe food shortage in the coming
months. We recognize UNMIS, efforts in working with the
humanitarian community in an attempt to avoid another
humanitarian crisis, and believe such a crisis would only
lead to further instability in the region. The United States
stands ready to assist in relief efforts, and we strongly
encourage other Member States to contribute the necessary
assistance in order to avoid the spread of malnutrition and
possible famine.

--In conclusion, we believe serious work is needed if
elections are to take place in 2010. We urge UNMIS to focus
efforts on a mission-wide approach to the protection of
civilians, particularly in preparing for elections. The
international community must also closely monitor the
humanitarian situation in southern Sudan and do its utmost to
assist in avoiding another humanitarian crisis. We must also
remain focused on resolving issues related to the Three
Areas, the north-south border demarcation, and Abyei. The
tasks before us are enormous, but they must be completed in
order to help Sudan secure a permanent peace.

--Thank you.
CLINTON

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