DRAFT MINURSO RESOLUTION FOR 24 OCTOBER FRIENDS

UNCLAS STATE 147948 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC MO AG WI SUBJECT: DRAFT MINURSO RESOLUTION FOR 24 OCTOBER FRIENDS MEETING ¶1. USUN is authorized to circulate the text in paragraph three as a draft resolution for the Group of Friends meeting on the 24th of October 2008. ¶2. Action Request: USUN is requested to report the reactions to this draft resolution by the Group of Friends as well as other interested parties in New York. ¶3. Begin Text: The Security Council, PP1 Recalling all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara, PP2 Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, SIPDIS PP3 Reaffirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect, PP4 Reiterating its call upon the parties and States of the region to continue to cooperate fully with the United Nations and with each other to end the current impasse and to achieve progress towards a political solution, PP5 Taking note of the two rounds of negotiations held under auspices of the Secretary-General; welcoming the progress made by the parties to enter into direct negotiations with each other, PP6 Taking note that both sides have agreed to continue the process of negotiations through United Nations sponsored talks, PP7 Welcoming the serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards a resolution; expressing its view that the Moroccan proposal is the realistic basis for negotiation, PP8 Taking note of the Polisario Front proposal presented to the Secretary-General, PP9 Taking note the report of the Secretary-General of 19 October 2007 (S/2007/619), OP1 Reaffirms the need for full respect of the military agreements reached with MINURSO with regard to the ceasefire; OP2 Calls upon the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary General without preconditions and in good faith, taking into account the developments of the past six months, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect; OP3 Invites Member States to lend appropriate assistance to such talks; OP4 Requests the Secretary-General to provide a report by 31 January 2008 on the status and progress of these negotiations under his auspices, and expresses its intention to meet to receive and discuss this report; OP5 Requests the Secretary-General to provide a report on the situation in Western Sahara 30 days prior to the end of the mandate period, also request the Secretary-General to include in his next report appropriate indicators against which the Council can measure MINURSO,s performance; OP6 Calls on Member States to consider voluntary contributions to fund Confidence Building Measures that allow for increased contact between separated family members, especially family unification visits; OP7 Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance in MINURSO with the United Nations, zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including pre-deployment awareness training, and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel; OP8 Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2008; OP9 Decides to remain seized of the matter. End Text ¶4. During the course of final Friends negotiations, USUN is authorized to offer this following addition to new PP8 &expressing its view that the proposal should be considered8 in exchange for final agreement a Friends text with the following conditions: -- Clearly state the caveat that you must get an agreement in Washington -- No changes had been made to PP7, without consulting Washington ¶5. The point contact is LTC James Thomas, IO/PSC at 202 736-7737. RICE