BURUNDI- USUN INSTRUCTION CABLE ON BINUB

UNCLAS STATE 168497

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM XA ZF BY
SUBJECT: BURUNDI- USUN INSTRUCTION CABLE ON BINUB
RESOLUTION



1. This is an action message. See paragraph 2.


2. USUN is instructed to vote in favor of the BINUB
resolution scheduled to be adopted by the Council on December

19. Full text of the resolution follows:

Begin text:

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions and statements of its President on
Burundi, in particular its resolution 1719 (2006),

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty,
independence, territorial integrity and unity of Burundi, and
emphasizing the importance of national ownership by Burundi
of peacebuilding, security and long-term development,

Noting the progress made by Burundi towards consolidating
peace and stability, as well as the remaining challenges, in
particular completing the peace process with the Forces
Nationales de Liberation (Palipehutu-FNL),consolidating
democratically-elected institutions and good governance, and
completing the disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion
process and the reform of the security sector, including
ensuring that the security forces and judicial institutions
effectively protect human rights and the rule of law,

Welcoming the appointment on 14 November 2007 of a government
of national unity,

Emphasizing the need for the United Nations system and the
international community to maintain their support for peace
consolidation and long-term development in Burundi, and
welcoming in this regard the establishment of the "Groupe de
coordination des partenaires."

Taking note of the briefing of the Chairman of the Burundi
configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission on 6 December
2007, welcoming the Peacebuilding Commission's close
engagement on Burundi, including the finalization with the
Burundian Government of the Strategic Framework for
Peacebuilding and the adoption of the Monitoring and Tracking
Mechanism, and looking forward to its implementation in the
same spirit of partnership,

Paying tribute to the facilitation efforts of South Africa,
in conjunction with the countries of the Regional Peace
Initiative and the African Union, to promote the full
implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement
signed on 7 September 2006 in Dar-es-Salaam between the
Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL,

Welcoming the signing, on 2 November 2007, of a framework
agreement on the establishment of a Tripartite Steering
Committee for National Consultations on Transitional Justice
Mechanisms, stressing the importance of an early start of the
Committee's activities, and encouraging the Burundian
authorities and the Secretary-General, pursuant to resolution
1606 (2005),to continue to cooperate on this issue,

Recalling the conclusions of its Working Group on Children
and Armed Conflict pertaining to parties in armed conflict in
Burundi ($/2007/92),taking note of the report of the
Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Burundi

SIPDIS
($/2007/686),calling upon the Government of Burundi and
urging all parties, in particular the Palipehutu-FNL to
cooperate with the Working Group with a view to following up
on its conclusions, and encouraging United Nations agencies
and donors to continue to support these efforts,

Welcoming BINUB's policy to promote and protect the rights of
women and to take into account gender considerations as set
out in its resolution 1325 (2000) a cross-cutting issue
throughout its mandate and to keep the Council informed,

Having considered the second report ($/2007/682) of the
Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Office in

SIPDIS
Burundi (BINUB),


1. Decides to extend until 31 December 2008 the mandate of
BINUB, as set out in resolution 1719;


2. Commends the authorities and political actors in Burundi
for persevering in their dialogue on achieving stability and
national reconciliation and to promote social harmony in
their country, and encourages them to continue that dialogue;


3. Urges the Palipehutu-FNL to return to the Joint
Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) without delay or
preconditions and to immediately release all children
associated with it, and calls on both parties to the
Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement to refrain from any action
that might lead to a resumption of hostilities and to resolve
outstanding issues in a spirit of cooperation, including
through agreeing on a roadmap of sequenced steps and clear
timeframes for the successful implementation of the
Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreements and conclusion of the
final phase of the peace process;


4. Encourages the South African Facilitation, the Regional
Peace Initiative, the African Union and other international
partners to reinforce efforts in support of the early
conclusion of the peace process between the Government of
Burundi and Palipehutu-FNL, and requests the
Secretary-General, including through BINUB, to play a robust

SIPDIS
political role in support of the peace process, in full
coordination with regional and international partners;

4bis. Encourages BINUB and the Facilitation to expedite their
consultations on a common approach to deal with the issue of
alleged FNL dissidents, with appropriate international
support;


5. Encourages the Burundian Government to pursue its efforts
regarding peace consolidation challenges, in particular
democratic governance and justice and security reforms;

5bis. Expresses its deep concern at the continuing human
rights violations, including sexual and gender-based
violence, and urges the Government to diligently investigate
all such reports and take the necessary steps to prevent
further violations and to ensure that those responsible are
brought to justice;


6. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to report
regularly to the Council on the implementation of the mandate
of BINUB and the progress regarding the benchmarks contained
in the addendum to this report dated 21 June 2006
($/2006/429/ADD.1),and to keep the Council informed of the
progress towards the eventual transition from the integrated
office to a primarily development-focused engagement;


7. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

End text.
RICE