UNSC/SUDAN: PRST ON DARFUR ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000770 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL SU UNSC KPKO SUBJECT: UNSC/SUDAN: PRST ON DARFUR ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY USUN NEW Y 00000770 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN R. BOLTON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) In an April 11 formal meeting, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a Presidential Statement (PRST) on the situation in Darfur - UN document S/PRST/2006/16; text in Paragraph 4. The agreed-upon text reflected a hurried consensus that the sponsoring delegation, the UK (which was following up on two attempts by USUN to launch Press Statements in the Council on recent Darfur events and incorporating previously negotiated language of UNSCR 1663 in particular),sought in order to secure timely adoption of the statement. The tone of the April 10 Experts Meeting on the draft PRST text reflected UKUN's willingness to compromise with the Chinese, Qatari and Russian delegations for the sake of 'efficiency.' ¶2. (C) The language of Paragraph 2 was toned down to Chinese, Qatari and Russian specifications, including deletion of a reference that USUN raised and that Denmark and Japan seconded to the Government of National Unity's recent obstacles to humanitarian operations in Sudan; removal of a reference to the date of OCHA U/SYG Egeland's upcoming briefing to the UNSC (April 20); and readiness to entertain a Qatari demand that the wording of the GNU's "denying" of Egeland's entry to Darfur be changed to 'delaying' (NOTE. It was only at USUN intervention that the word 'deny' was retained. END NOTE). UKUN used China's opposition to a since-deleted reference to the 'Responsibility to protect' as leverage for China's concessions on the rest of the statement. China did not hesitate to take advantage of this opening, offering language instead on the principle of 'non-interference,' at which point Russia, acting as the voice of reason it can sometimes be on Sudan, advised China to quit while it was ahead. ¶3. (C) While these actions might simply be dismissed as negotiating tactics, they could also be interpreted as minor examples of the undercurrent of the Council's consideration of Sudan. This practice of structuring negotiations and text language around what China will deem 'acceptable' could portend a dangerous precedent for Sudan deliberations in New York. ¶4. (U) Begin PRST text: The Security Council strongly commends the efforts of the African Union to achieve lasting peace in Darfur, which will have its full support. It reiterates in the strongest terms the need for all parties to the conflict in Darfur to put an immediate end to the violence and atrocities; reaffirms its concern that the persisting violence in Darfur might further negatively affect the rest of the country as well as the region, including the security of Chad; and expresses its utmost concern over the dire consequences of the prolonged conflict in Darfur for the civilian population. The Security Council regrets the decision of the Government of National Unity not to renew the contract of the Norwegian Refugee Council and expresses its grave concern over the humanitarian consequences. It also regrets the decision of the Government of National Unity to deny the entry of the United Nation's Emergency Relief Co-ordinator to Darfur. It looks forward to the forthcoming briefing by the Emergency Relief Co-ordinator and him being able to visit Darfur at the earliest possible opportunity. The Security Council also calls for an explanation from the Government of National Unity on its decision. The Security Council re-iterates its full support for the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks on the Conflict in Darfur in Abuja, noting that an inclusive political settlement is key to peace in Sudan, that the Talks provide a mechanism to achieve such a settlement and that the African Union should maintain leadership. It welcomes the timely involvement of the Chair of the African Union and the President of Nigeria in the Talks during their visit to Abuja on 8 April; endorses the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council USUN NEW Y 00000770 002.2 OF 002 that 30 April 2006 is the final deadline for reaching an agreement; demands that all parties make the necessary efforts to reach an agreement by this date; and reaffirms its determination to hold accountable those impeding the peace process and committing human rights violations, noting the view of the African Union that the Security Council has a critical role in this respect. The Security Council commends the African Union for what the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS) has successfully achieved in Darfur despite exceptionally difficult circumstances, and the efforts of Member States and organisations that have assisted AMIS. It re-iterates its welcome in Resolution 1663 of 24 March 2006 of the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 10 March to support in principle the transition of AMIS to a United Nations operation, and to extend the mandate of AMIS until 30 September 2006; calls therefore on all parties to take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and successful transfer to a United Nations operation; urges Member States and international and regional organisations to provide additional assistance to AMIS so that it may be strengthened in line with the conclusions of the Joint Assessment Mission report of 10 - 20 December 2005; and calls for the convening of a pledging conference. The Security Council reiterates its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan, which will be unaffected by the transition to a United Nations operation. The Security Council stresses that the Secretary-General should consult jointly with the African Union, in close and continuing consultation with the Security Council, and in co-operation and close consultation with the parties to the Abuja Peace Talks, including the Government of National Unity, on decisions concerning the transition; stresses that a United Nations operation will have strong African participation and character; recalls its request in Resolution 1663 of 24 March 2006 that the Secretary General expedite the necessary preparatory planning for the transition of AMIS to a United Nations operation; calls in this regard for a United Nations assessment mission visit to Darfur by 30 April 2006; and calls on international and regional organisations and Member States to provide every possible additional assistance to a United Nations operation. ¶5. (U) End PRST text. BOLTON