UN/SANCTIONS: UNSCR 1676 RENEWS SOMALIA MONITORING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000972 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2011 TAGS: UNSC SO ETTC PREL PGOV XW SUBJECT: UN/SANCTIONS: UNSCR 1676 RENEWS SOMALIA MONITORING GROUP'S MANDATE FOR SIX MONTHS Classified By: Counselor Brian H. Hook, For Reasons 1.4 (B and D) ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: On 10 May 2006 the UN Security Council unanimously adopted UNSC Resolution 1676, renewing the mandate of the Somalia Monitoring Group (MG) for an additional six months. In closed consultations immediately beforehand, Qatar PermRep Ambassador Nasser, Chairman of the Somalia Sanctions Committee established pursuant to UNSCR 751 (1992),briefed Council members on recent Committee discussions. ¶2. (C) During consultations Council members condemned arms embargo violations committed by the countries named in the final report. Delegations unanimously stressed that Member States - particularly those in the region - must fulfill their obligations to enforce the embargo and hold violators accountable. ¶3. (C) Although member remarks were similar to past meetings convened to renew the MG mandate, delegations showed an increased interest in targeted sanctions, and, to a lesser degree, an integrated arms embargo. Some delegations also expressed support for a partial exemption of the existing arms embargo to strengthen the TFG. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- Council Reacts to Monitoring Group Proposals on Targeted Sanctions and an Integrated Arms Embargo Proposal -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) The MG final report again recommended that the Security Council implement an "integrated arms embargo," which would add two elements to the existing arms embargo regime: (1) "a trade embargo on exports of charcoal originating in Somalia," and (2) "a ban on foreign vessels fishing in Somali waters and a trade embargo on the export of fish caught in Somali waters." The MG believes that such action would enhance the arms embargo by denying sources of revenue used by various factions to buy weapons. The MG also recommended that the Security Council consider targeted sanctions in the form of a travel ban and assets freeze against individuals identified in the annex to the final report. ¶5. (C) In reaction to the report, delegations predictably deplored the worsening situation in Somalia, condemned violations of the arms embargo, and called on violators to be held accountable. But unlike prior discussions that preceded renewal of the MG mandate, delegations are now asking whether it is time to impose targeted sanctions against individuals or, as a smaller number of countries believe, impose an integrated arms embargo. ¶6. (C) The UK argued that the sanctions committee should "actively pursue" the recommendations made by the MG. They had hoped the resolution would contain a deadline for the committee to discuss additional sanctions. The Russians showed support for targeted sanctions, but had little enthusiasm for an integrated arms embargo. France expressed support for an integrated arms embargo. ¶7. (C) China supports exempting the TFG from the arms embargo for political capacity-building. Qatar said that all proposals should be on the table, and observed that granting a partial exemption to the arms embargo does not mean an end to the arms embargo. (NOTE: Greece and UK are on record in the sanctions committee last week supporting a partial exemption at the appropriate time, and the UK has informed us that France is also interested. END NOTE.) ¶8. (C) Ambassador Sanders made the following points: -- We welcome the latest report of the Somalia Monitoring Group and thank them for their hard work. -- The United States continues to support the establishment of a functioning central government in Somalia capable of bringing the country out of civil conflict. We also believe that every effort must be made to prevent Somalia from serving as a base of operations for terrorist organizations. -- We urge Somali leaders to continue efforts towards re-establishing effective governance through a process of USUN NEW Y 00000972 002 OF 003 peace and reconciliation and to disavow the use of violence. -- We commend the resolution's support for the Special Representative of the Secretary General to help end the civil conflict. We also appreciate the work of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to support the Transitional Federal Institutions. -- We look forward to adopting the resolution to extend the Monitoring Group's mandate for another six months. And we thank Qatar for its leadership in the Sanctions Committee. ¶9. (U) Begin text of Security Council Resolution 1676 The Security Council, Reaffirming its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the situation in Somalia, in particular resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992, which established an embargo on all delivery of weapons and military equipment to Somalia (hereinafter referred to as the "arms embargo'),resolution 1519 (2003) of 16 December 2003, resolution 1558 (2004) of 17 August 2004, resolution 1587 (2005) of 15 March 2005 and resolution 1630 (2005) of 14 October 2005, Reaffirming the importance of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia, Reiterating the urgent need for all Somali leaders to take tangible steps to continue political dialogue, Reiterating its strong support for the special Representative of the Secretary-General, Stressing the need for the Transitional Federal Institutions to continue working towards establishing effective national governance in Somalia, Commending the efforts of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in support of the Transitional Federal Institutions and welcoming the African Union's continued support for national reconciliation in Somalia, Taking note of the report of the Monitoring Group dated 5 April 2006 (S/2006/229, annex) submitted pursuant to paragraph 3 (i) of resolution 1630 (2005) and the observations and recommendations contained therein, Condemning the significant increase in the flow of weapons and ammunition and supplies to and through Somalia, which constitutes a violation of the arms embargo and a serious threat to the Somali peace process, Concerned about the increasing incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia, and its impact on security in Somalia, Reiterating its insistence that all Member States, in particular those in the region, should refrain from any action in contravention of the arms embargo and should take all necessary steps to hold violators accountable, Reiterating and underscoring the importance of enhancing the monitoring of the arms embargo in Somalia through persistent and vigilant investigation into the violations, bearing in mind that strict enforcement of the arms embargo will improve the overall security situation in Somalia. Determining that the situation in Somalia constitutes a threat to international peace and security in the region, Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, ¶1. Stresses the obligation of all Member States to comply fully with the measures imposed by resolution 733 (1992); ¶2. Expresses its intention, in light of the report of the Monitoring Group dated 5 April 2006 (S/2006/229, annex),to consider specific actions to improve implementation of and compliance with measures imposed by resolution 733 (1992); USUN NEW Y 00000972 003 OF 003 ¶3. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) of 24 April 1992 (hereinafter referred to as "the Committee"),to re-established within thirty days from the date of the adoption of this resolution, and for a period of six months, the Monitoring Group referred to in paragraph 3 of resolution 1558 (2004),with the following mandate: (a) to continue the tasks outlined in paragraphs 3(a) to (c) of resolution 1587 (2005); (b) to continue to investigate, in coordination with relevant international agencies, all activities, including in the financial, maritime and other sectors, which generate revenues used to commit arms embargo violations; (c) to continue to investigate any means of transport, routes, seaports, airports and other facilities used in connection with arms embargo violations; (d) to continue refining and updating information on the draft list of those individuals and entities who violate the measures implemented by Member States in accordance with resolution 733 (1992),inside and outside Somalia, and their active supporters, for possible future measures by the Council, and to present such information to the Committee as and when the Committee deems appropriate; (e) to continue making recommendations based on its investigations, on the previous reports of the Panel of Experts (S/2003/223 and S/2003/1035 appointed pursuant to resolutions 1425 (2002) of 22 July 2002 and 1474 (2003) of 8 April 2003, and on the previous reports of the Monitoring Group (S/2004/604, S/2005/153, S/2005/625 and S/2006/229) appointed pursuant to resolutions 1519 (2003) of 16 December 2003, 1558 (2004) of 17 August 2004, 1587 (2005) of 15 March 2005 and 1630 (2005) of 14 October 2005; (f) to work closely with the Committee on specific recommendations for additional measures to improve overall compliance with the arms embargo; (g) to assist in identifying areas where the capacities of States in the region can be strengthened to facilitate the implementation of the arms embargo; (h) to provide to the Council, through the Committee, a midterm briefing within 90 days from its establishment; (i) to submit, for the Security Council's consideration, through the Committee, a final report covering all the tasks set out above, no later than 15 days prior to the termination of the Monitoring Group's mandate; ¶4. Further requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary financial arrangements to support the work of the Monitoring Group; ¶5. Reaffirms paragraphs, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10 of resolution 1519 (2003); ¶6. Requests the Committee, in accordance with its mandate and in consultation with the Monitoring Group and other relevant United Nations entities, to consider the recommendations in the report of the Monitoring Group dated 5 April 2006 and recommend to the Council ways to improve implementation of and compliance with the arms embargo, in response to continuing violations; ¶7. Further requests the Committee to consider, when appropriate, a visit to Somalia and/or the region by its Chairman and those he may designate, as approved by the Committee, to demonstrate the Security Council's determination to give full effect to the arms embargo; ¶8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. End text. BOLTON