INSTRUCTIONS: OSCE BRIEFING, SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

UNCLAS STATE 136154 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC OSCE GE SUBJECT: INSTRUCTIONS: OSCE BRIEFING, SEPTEMBER 28, 2007 ¶1. (U) USUN is authorized to draw from the suggested questions in para 3 below during the OSCE briefing of the UN Security Council scheduled for September 28, 2007. ¶2. (SBU) The OSCE Chair usually briefs the UNSC in January on the OSCE's goals and priorities and OSCE cooperation with the UN. This year the briefing has been delayed, leaving almost two years between briefings (the last briefing was in January 2006 by Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, who chaired the organization in 2006). Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for 2007, will be briefing the Council. After Moratinos' speech, Council members will have the opportunity to ask questions, but are not required to do so. In the past several years, the U.S. taken the opportunity to ask a few questions that are positive in tone in order to show our support for the OSCE. ¶3. (U) Begin Suggested Questions: -- Thank you for speaking with us today and for outlining OSCE activities under Spanish leadership in 2007. Among the many areas OSCE is engaged in, you discussed democratization and the role of OSCE,s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in encouraging democratic growth. What are the recent accomplishments of OSCE and ODIHR in promoting human rights, democracy and democratic institutions in Europe and Eurasia? -- Afghanistan - an OSCE Partner state - has expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with the OSCE, to assist in strengthening its security and democratic development. In a recent statement at the OSCE Permanent Council, the Afghan delegation noted particular interest in working with the OSCE on border control and management, police training, combating trafficking of illicit drugs, and supporting future elections. With the strong expertise that the OSCE has in such areas, how do you see the potential for increased cooperation and activity for the Organization in Afghanistan? -- In light of the August 6 rocket incident on Georgian territory and other security incidents that have heightened tensions in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, what concrete steps has the OSCE taken in Georgia to bolster security on the ground, deter future such incidents, and promote greater confidence between the sides? -- Beyond capacity building, has the OSCE considered reviving a border monitoring mission to deter incidents along the Georgian border? If not, what are the next steps that OSCE is planning to take in Georgia to bolster security and promote confidence building measures? End Suggested Questions. RICE