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