UNHCHR ARBOUR MAY 31 MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000439 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT, FOR, IO/UNP, IO/RHS, GENEVA FOR PSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CG KAWC KWMN PHUM PREL XA ZF SUBJECT: UNHCHR ARBOUR MAY 31 MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On May 31, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour met with Ambassador Khalilzad to discuss her recent mission to the Great Lakes region. She noted many ongoing problems, specifically the overall lack of security, violence against women and children, and judicial impunity. Arbour additionally provided her views on the Human Rights Council. She intends to visit Washington in the coming weeks - her message: don't give up on all UN human rights efforts. End Summary. Congolese Military: ¶2. (SBU) The overall lack of security remains the most critical problem in the Great Lakes region. Arbour stated that the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration plan ("DDR") had been a total failure. Run by the government of the DRC and financed by the World Bank, the program had been destroyed by corruption, and is now bankrupt. The region remains flooded with weapons. ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Khalilzad asked if any progress had been made on the issue of child soldiers. Arbour stated she didn't think so, but that it is difficult to know the real rate of success. She noted specific problems in the eastern half of the DRC, where many child soldiers, once demobilized, are re-recruited in Rwanda as "there is nothing else for them to do." ¶4. (SBU) Ambassador Khalilzad pointed out that the rebel militia need to be reintegrated into the military as individuals, not as units, and that their numbers needed to be limited to a small percentage of the total force. Arbour stated that "mixage" -- where rebel militias are brought into the Congolese military but not dismantled -- has now served to legitimize and reinforce the militias, making them more dangerous than ever. She added that neither the armed forces hierarchy, nor the government in Kinshasa have any real control over these militias, and civilian massacres continue unabated. ¶5. (SBU) Arbour further stated that violence against women in the region is "worse than she could have imagined." Violent rape and torture occurs on a large scale, often with multiple perpetrators, and it is brutal. The violent nature of the attacks and the injuries sustained by the women are so barbaric, doctors are unable to receive training as to how to treat them -- the type and extent of injury are unheard of in the civilized world. Culture of Impunity: ¶6. (SBU) Arbour stated that her mandate is to report, and to promote accountability and justice. She stated the justice system in the DRC is failing, and that the culture of impunity only adds to the level of overall insecurity. Known, indicted war criminals remain unpunished and at large. Warrants are issued, but remain unexecuted, as there is no one to bring these individuals to justice. The guilty remain unpunished. Human Rights Council: ¶7. (SBU) Ambassador Khalilzad noted the perception that the UN machinery dealing with human rights is not doing a good job. Specifically in regard to the Human Rights Council ("HRC"),Ambassador Khalilzad stated that many have asked the U.S. to participate, but that the HRC "has to move in the right direction first." He acknowledged some recent progress on the election of Bosnia over Belarus, but stated that the Council is perceived as ineffective and unbalanced. ¶8. (SBU) Arbour did not disagree, but stated she is not quite as pessimistic about the HRC as Ambassador Khalilzad, noting there are 47 member states, and like other political bodies, the HRC is dominated by powerful regional alliances. "The Islamic conference is the most powerful, because they are the most organized." Because Asia and Africa dominate right now, Latin America and Europe simply don't have the votes, and therefore any Latin or European agenda needs to be finessed. She acknowledged that the HRC has been very protective of certain issues, particularly of Sudan, but believes those alliances are loosening, and that there is cause for hope. When Ambassador Khalilzad raised the HRC,s negative actions towards Israel and the U.S., Arbour acknowledged that the HRC seems fixated on Israel, which the Council views as critical in resolving conflict in the region. She stated that in her view, the U.S. is less of a target, although she noted Cuba's periodic agitation. ¶9. (SBU) Arbour stated that if she had one message for the Ambassador, it is "don't write off all UN human rights efforts." Khalilzad said that the U.S. supports UN human rights efforts, but at the moment, not the efforts of the HRC. As an aside, Arbour stated that the HRC is attempting to exert control over her own actions and her Office -- a move she is strongly resisting. Upcoming Visit to Washington: ¶10. (SBU) In closing, Ambassador Khalilzad asked if there is anything he could do to assist with Arbour,s upcoming trip to Washington. Arbour commented that she has been in her position for almost three years, and the U.S. is the only P-5 nation that has yet to extend an invitation for her to visit -- she has been invited by all the other P-5 members, and visited some - specifically Russia - more than once. For her upcoming trip, she said she may have an appointment with Under Secretary Burns, but because of scheduling conflicts he may be the only one available. Ambassador Khalilzad said he would put in a call to U/S Burns to facilitate this appointment. During the visit, Arbour added she will also have lunch with members of the U.S. Supreme Court, and also plans to meet with a number of Senators. KHALILZAD