UNSC/SUDAN: COUNCIL ADOPTS SANCTIONS RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000890 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2016 TAGS: ETTC NI PGOV PREL SU UNSC SUBJECT: UNSC/SUDAN: COUNCIL ADOPTS SANCTIONS RESOLUTION AND ABUJA PRST IN PACKAGE DEAL REF: WWW.USUNNEWYORK.USMISSION.GOV/06_085.HTM USUN NEW Y 00000890 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN R. BOLTON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (SBU) In an April 25 formal meeting, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution imposing on four Sudanese individuals the targeted sanctions (travel ban and assets freeze) authorized by UNSCR 1591 (2005). The vote count was 12 in favor and three abstentions (China, Qatar, Russia); those abstaining delivered Explanations of Vote, noting their concerns about disrupting the Abuja peace talks before April 30 and the 'lack of adequate proof' that the four individuals deserved sanctions. Ambassador Bolton also spoke, stressing that the UNSC was only just beginning to fulfill its responsibility to ensure peace and stability in Sudan (full statement available at ref address). The sanctions resolution, issued as UN document S/RES/1672 (2006) and contained in Paragraph 4, was adopted in conjunction with a Tanzanian-drafted Presidential Statement (PRST) encouraging a political settlement at the Abuja Peace Talks by April 30. That PRST was adopted as UN document S/PRST/2006/17; text in Paragraph 6. ¶2. (SBU) Tanzanian Permanent Representative Mahiga noted that African Union Special Envoy Salim was expected to present to the Abuja parties at 3:00 P.M. New York time the package which he had already shared with U.S., UK, European Union, Canadian, Egyptian, Libyan and UN representatives. Mahiga anticipated a read-out from Salim of parties' reaction by 4:00 P.M. New York time and promised to share it with the Council. Salim reportedly foresaw difficulties with the security arrangements section but was optimistic about the parties overall reaction. Mahiga reported that the parties would discuss the package for two to three more days with a view to a final agreement by April 30 as mandated. ¶3. (C) COMMENT. The four sanctioned individuals - one each from the Sudanese Government, janjaweed, Sudanese Liberation Army rebels and National Movement for Reform and Development rebels - are the first to be designated since UNSCR 1591 was adopted in March 2005. Given the severity of violations committed by many other individuals in Darfur, it is critical to sustain the urgency that successfully resulted in these first four designations. That China and Russia abstained indicates that neither may be willing to veto as long as proposals do not target the highest-ranking Sudanese officials at this time. USUN recommends that the Department continue pressing for interagency vetting of all names provided by the Sudan Panel of Experts and the joint UK-U.S. list, to expedite the designation of additional individuals as quickly as possible. END COMMENT. ¶4. (U) Begin Resolution text: The Security Council, Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Sudan, in particular resolutions 1665 (2006) of 29 March 2006, 1651 (2005) of 21 December 2005, 1591 (2005) of 29 March 2005, and 1556 (2004) of 30 July 2004 and statements of its President concerning Sudan, Stressing again its firm commitment to the cause of peace throughout Sudan, including through the African Union-led inter-Sudanese peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria ("Abuja Talks"), full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 9 January 2005, and an end to the violence and atrocities in Darfur, Determining that the situation in Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, USUN NEW Y 00000890 002.2 OF 002 ¶1. Decides that all States shall implement the measures specified in paragraph 3 of resolution 1591 (2005) with respect to the following individuals: -- Major General Gaffar Mohamed Elhassan (Commander of the Western Military Region for the Sudanese Armed Forces) -- Sheikh Musa Hilal (Paramount Chief of the Jalul Tribe in North Darfur) -- Adam Yacub Shant (Sudanese Liberation Army Commander) -- Gabril Abdul Kareem Badri (National Movement for Reform and Development Field Commander) ¶2. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. ¶5. (U) End Resolution text. ¶6. (U) Begin PRST text: The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan. The Security Council strongly commends and supports the efforts of the African Union to achieve lasting peace in Darfur. 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. It further reaffirms the right of the displaced persons to return to their homes if they wish to do so. The Security Council reiterates its full support for the African Union-led Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks in Abuja on the conflict in Darfur in particular the tireless efforts of the Chief Mediator, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and his team. It welcomes the developments so far in the negotiations and urges the parties to make speedy progress in concluding a Darfur Peace Accord. The Security Council further reiterates its endorsement of the decision of 10 March 2006 of the African Union Peace and Security Council that an accord must be reached by 30 April 2006 and strongly urges that all parties make the necessary efforts to reach an accord by this date. The Security Council recognizes that an inclusive political settlement is key to peace in Sudan, that the talks provide a mechanism to achieve such a settlement in Darfur. The Council reiterates its call to all parties to the conflict to fulfill their commitments to conclude a peace accord in the interest of the people of Darfur and Sudan as a whole. The Security Council calls on and expects the parties in Abuja to consider in good faith proposals to be made by the Mediator with a view to reaching peace, security and stability in Darfur and Sudan as a whole. It emphasizes that working toward a positive outcome is a collective responsibility of all the parties in the conflict. The Security Council commends the various partners and stakeholders for their support to the African Union-led Abuja Peace process and encourages them, in particular the United Nations, to continue supporting the parties in the implementation of the Peace Accord. ¶7. (U) End PRST text. BOLTON