VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #4035 3090103
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 050059Z NOV 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 8509
INFO RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 6596
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 8402
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 0535
UNCLAS STATE 114035
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNSC AF
SUBJECT: GREAT LAKES: TALKING POINTS FOR NOVEMBER 9 UNSC
CONSULTATIONS
1. (U) This is an action request. USUN should draw from the
points in paragraph 2 below for the Great Lakes UN Security
Council (UNSC) consultations on November 9.
2. Begin talking points:
-- We appreciate the efforts over the past year of the UN
Secretary General's Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region,
former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and
co-facilitator from the African Union and the International
Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), former
Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa. They played an important
role in addressing the imminent threat posed by the National
Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) to the
stability of eastern DRC, and in assisting the DRC and Rwanda
in deepening rapprochement. This rapprochement led to
significant positive steps between the two countries, from
the exchange of ambassadors to the joint operations against
the CNDP, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda
(FDLR) and other illegal armed groups.
-- The efforts of Presidents Obasanjo and Mkapa have
advanced the peace process in the Great Lakes region. The
accords of 23 March among the Government of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, the CNDP and other rebel groups were
but one manifestation of their hard work. Another is renewed
confidence between the Governments of the DRC and Rwanda and
their joint efforts to find solutions to their common
concerns.
-- Although problems persist, the relations between the
neighbors suggest that a UN mediator of such a high level is
no longer as critical as it was a year ago. The United
States, therefore, agrees with the decisions of Special
Envoys Obasanjo and Mkapa to close out their roles.
Nonetheless, we look forward to continuing our efforts with
our partners in the region. U.S. Special Advisor for the
Great Lakes Howard Wolpe is currently traveling to the region
and looks forward to working in collaboration with the Great
Lakes envoys from the European Union and other bilateral
partners to advance the work Obasanjo and Mkapa have started.
- - Despite political progress, we remain deeply concerned
by the security situation in the Great Lakes region, which
remains tenuous, and the humanitarian situation, which has
deteriorated significantly. The population displacements and
the escalation of human rights abuses, including sexual and
gender-based violence, must be addressed.
If raised:
- - Additionally, we remain seriously concerned with the
Lord's Resistance Army's LRA's continued presence in
northeastern DRC and expansion into the Central African
Republic and Southern Sudan and the resulting attacks on the
civilian population.
Questions:
- - What are the prospects for a lasting peace?
- - What is the best role in the region for a UN mediator?
- - In your opinion, how should this Council best approach
President Kabila to ensure impunity is addressed within his
armed forces?
- - What role can African leaders play?
- - How can this Council best support effective mediation in
the future and promote the peace process in the region? What
role can neighbors play in the peace process?
If raised:
-- Please tell us more about the UN's approach to addressing
the threat to the region posed by the LRA.
CLINTON