TALKING POINTS FOR UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON THE DRC

UNCLAS STATE 161317

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CG KPKO PREL UNSC
SUBJECT: TALKING POINTS FOR UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON THE DRC



1. USUN is instructed to draw from the following talking
points for UN Security Council consultations regarding the
Democratic Republic of Congo on November 28.

Begin points:

--Despite improvement in the overall security environment and
the success of the recent national elections, the United
States remains concerned about the security situation in
eastern DRC.

--In view of the unsettled security situation in eastern
Congo, we clearly need to maintain a robust MONUC
peacekeeping presence. Given the high demand for UN
peacekeeping, the USG has previously indicated its desire for
a drawdown plan for MONUC. However, FARDC troops must be
able to stand on their own and security conditions must
improve before downsizing can begin. The United States
greatly appreciates the Secretary General,s efforts to
provide benchmarks that will help guide our evaluation of
MONUC,s progress and the potential for an eventual reduction
in force levels in the future.

--While the U.S. is committed to strengthening the capacity
of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) to deal with the
negative forces in the east, MONUC must continue to play a
key role in providing security and stability, especially in
the Kivus.

--The United States commends MONUC,s role in the DRC. Under
Ambassador Swing,s leadership, MONUC helped ensure security
for the landmark national elections in 2006, and the
operation continues to play a key role in protecting
civilians and humanitarian operations, which remain critical
to stability in much of eastern Congo.

--Despite these achievements, key challenges remain,
including local elections in 2008 and confronting the
remaining elements of the FDLR/ex-FAR/Interahamwe and other
illegal armed groups in eastern Congo. The United States
welcomes the November 9 Agreement between the Congolese and
Rwandan governments, which provides a roadmap for dismantling
the negative forces in the east. This effort will require
continued cooperation between the Armed Forces of the DRC and
MONUC.

--MONUC,s upcoming mandate renewal, due by December 31, will
be an opportunity to consider these issues in the context of
the recent Nairobi Agreement. A key issue for this
discussion is how MONUC can most usefully support efforts to
address the remaining negative forces in eastern DRC. We
look forward to deliberating with other Members of the
Council as we consider options for MONUC,s upcoming mandate
renewal.

--Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to applaud
Ambassador Swing for his years of extraordinary service to
the UN. His performance as the Secretary General,s Special
Representative for the Democratic Republic of Congo has been
a credit to the entire UN system. We thank Ambassador Swing
for all his efforts, which have been central to the process
of bringing peace to central Africa.

End points.

The point of contact is Greg Pollock at 202-736-7789
RICE