UNSC: SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MINURSO FOR SIX

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 002073

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC AG MO WI
SUBJECT: UNSC: SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MINURSO FOR SIX
MONTHS

REF: STATE 180405


1. The Security Council October 31 extended the MINURSO
(United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)
mandate for a further six months to April 30, 2007. UNSCR
1720 (2006),based on a draft text developed and sponsored by
Friends of Western Sahara (U.S., UK, France, Russia and
Spain),passed by a 15-0 vote. With the exception of a new
preambular paragraph expressing support for the efforts of
the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, the text
closely tracked the text of the April 2006 renewal resolution.


2. Three Council members -- U.S., UK and France -- delivered
explanations of vote (EOVs). Speaking first, U.S. Political
Minister-Counselor Brencick said that the United States voted
for the resolution with the understanding that all parties
would utilize the coming six months to aggressively negotiate
a mutually acceptable solution that brings peace, stability
and economic prosperity to the region in a manner consistent
with the principle of self-determination for the people of
Western Sahara. The United States further called for all
parties to engage the UN and each other in a spirit of
flexibility and compromise. We urged Morocco to move quickly
to fulfill its many promises to table a comprehensive and
credible autonomy proposal for the Western Sahara, and to
engage in discussions, without preconditions, with all
Sahrawi people, including the Polisario. In calling for
Morocco, Algeria and the Polisario to move beyond rhetoric to
the serious work needed for resolution of this conflict,
Brencick conveyed the U.S. view that MINURSO is not a viable
alternative to a permanent solution. Finally, Brencick
relayed the U.S. request to the Secretary-General to examine
mechanisms and a timetable for dismantlement of MINURSO
should it continue to prove ineffective in fulfilling its
mandate, or should the parties prove unable to make
substantial progress towards a political solution.


3. In its EOV, UK DPR Pierce, noting that the resolution was
a technical rollover, highlighted three aspects of the
Western Sahara situation the UK considers to be important:
the efforts of the Secretary-General and the Personal Envoy
to find a way forward; the reference to the human rights
situation in the Secretary-General's report, a reference
which calls for continuing monitoring of human rights in
Western Sahara; and a reiteration of the UK's desire to see
progress beyond the current impasse in the next six months.
In its EOV, France noted positively Morocco's intention to
submit an autonomy proposal in the coming months and
expressed its support for the work of the Secretary-General
and the Personal Envoy.


4. Text of UNSC resolution 1720 follows:
Begin Text:
The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara,
including resolution 1495 (2003) of 31 July 2003, resolution
1541 (2004) of 29 April 2004, and resolution 1675 (2006) of
28 April 2006.

Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts of the
Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy;

SIPDIS

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,

Reiterating its call upon the parties and States of the
region to continue to cooperate fully with the United Nations
to end the current impasse and to achieve progress towards a
political solution,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 16
October 2006 (S/2006/817),


1. Reaffirms the need for full respect of the military
agreements reached with MINURSO with regard to the cease-fire;


2. 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;




3. Requests the Secretary-General provide a report on the
situation in the Western Sahara before the end of the mandate
period;


4. 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;


5. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations
Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until
30 April 2007;


6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
End Text

BOLTON