GUIDANCE FOR UNOMIG RENEWAL DISCUSSIONS

UNCLAS STATE 040220 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL GG RS SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR UNOMIG RENEWAL DISCUSSIONS ¶1. (U) This is an action request, see paras 2 and 3 below. ¶2. (SBU) USUN is authorized to engage on the German draft text in para 4 below in Western Friends of Georgia discussions in New York, and is authorized to seek and accept the following changes to the text: -- PP5: Insert "in Abkhazia, Georgia" between "urgently required" and "to". -- OP 6: Replace "noting" with "Condemn" or "Deplore". -- OP 7: Restore language from UNSCR 1615 (particularly OPs 16, 18, and 19) and previous resolutions regarding refugees and internally displaced persons or replace with similar language that achieves the same goals and clarifies the right of return to all of Abkhazia, Georgia., -- OP8: Insert "of the sides" after "civil society". USUN should report results to Department and await instructions before agreeing to any other changes from other delegations. USUN should also inform the western Friends that we are prepared to engage on the alternate language offered by the Germans and Georgians and are prepared to offer up additional/alternate language, if necessary, for use in further negotiations of the entire Friends. ¶3. (SBU) Department requests USUN ask the German Mission, as Chair of the Friends of Georgia, approach UNDPKO at the highest appropriate level with the following objectives: -- Express U.S. appreciation for the efforts of UNOMIG and SRSG Arnault. -- Encourage the Secretariat to recommend a 12-month extension for UNOMIG in the next report, which is due at the beginning of April, to provide stability and predictability to the mission. -- If asked, note that a twelve-month extension does not preclude SRSG Arnault from requesting an increase in UNOMIG's size before the next mandate renewal. ¶4. Begin draft resolution text. The Security Council, PP1 Recalling all its relevant resolutions including resolution 1716 of 13 October 2006 (S/RES/1716); PP2 Welcoming the reports of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia of 11 January 2007 (S/2007/15) and (3) April 2007; PP3 Supporting the sustained efforts of the Secretary-General and of his Special Representative with the SIPDIS assistance of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General, including Russia in its capacity as facilitator, and of the OSCE; PP4 Stressing the importance of close and effective cooperation between UNOMIG and the CIS peacekeeping force as they currently play an important stabilizing role in the conflict zone, and recalling that a lasting and comprehensive settlement of the conflict will require appropriate security guarantees; PP5 Stressing that economic development is urgently required to improve the livelihoods of the communities affected by the conflict, in particular the refugees and internally displaced persons; ¶1. Reaffirms the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, and supports all efforts by the United Nations and the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General which are guided by their determination to promote a settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict only by peaceful means and within the framework of the Security Council resolutions; ¶2. Requests both sides to make full use of all existing mechansims as described in the relevant Security Council resolutions in order to come to a peaceful settlement, and to comply fully with previous agreements regarding ceasefire and non-use of violence; ¶3. Recalls, with a view to achieving a lasting and comprehensive settlement, its support for the principles contained in the &Paper on Basic Principles for the Distribution of Competencies between Tbilisi and Sukhumi8 and calls for a constructive political dialogue under the aegis of the United Nations on this basis; ¶4. Endorses the Proposals for Confidence-building Measures presented by the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General during the meeting held in Geneva on 12 and 13 February 2007 under participation of the Georgian and Abkhaz parties, and urges both parties with the assistance of UNOMIG and of international partners and the support of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General to immediately engage in implementing these measures (without conditions); ¶5. Welcomes progress achieved by both sides towards the implementation of resolution 1716 (2006); ¶6. Notes with concern the attack on villages in the Upper Kodori valley carried out in the night of 11 and 12 March 2007; ¶7. Stresses the urgent need to alleviate the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons and the need for a perspective of life in security and dignity in particular for the a new generation growing up outside Abkhazia, Georgia, and, recalling the right of return for all internally displaced persons to Abkhazia, Georgia, calls on both sides to implement the UNHCR,s Strategic Directions for the return in the first instance to the Gali region; ¶8. Welcomes existing and encourages further contacts between representatives of civil society; ¶9. Underlines that it is the primary responsibility of both sides to provide appropriate security and to ensure the freedom of movement of UNOMIG, the CIS peacekeeping force and other international personnel and calls on both sides to fulfil their obligations in this regard; ¶10. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNOMIG to implement the Secretary-General%s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including the conduct of predeployment awareness training, and to take disciplinary action and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel; ¶11. Decides to extend the mandate of UNOMIG for a new period terminating on 15 April 2008; ¶12. Requests the Secretary-General to make use of this extended mandate in order to support the parties in implementing measures to build confidence and to establish an intensive and meaningful dialogue, and to inform the Council in his next report on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, on progress made in this respect; ¶13. Strongly supports the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and calls on the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General to continue giving him their steadfast and unified support; ¶14. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. End draft resolution text. RICE