JUNE 14 SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ON SOMALIA

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000481 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS ADDIS ALSO PLEASE PASS TO USAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ER ET SO UK UNSC PREL PHUM SUBJECT: JUNE 14 SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ON SOMALIA SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) On June 14, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe briefed the Security Council in consultations on his recent trip to Mogadishu and to London, Addis, Asmara and Cairo. While great difficulties remained, he believed that Somalia now had a "fighting chance" to regain stability. But continued strong pressure and support from the international community was required. ¶2. (SBU) The political process: this was the central element. The National Reconciliation Conference (NRC) needed to be inclusive (all clans and sub-clans and significant groups who renounced violence). The NRC needed to be independent of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). TFG leaders had assured him they were committed to inclusiveness and were sending people out to talk to the clan and sub-clan leadership -- supported logistically in this by UNDP. The presumption was that the NRC would address social, then political aspects of the situation. Mr Pascoe was not distressed by the announcement that the NRC had been delayed until July 15, since contacts needed to be further pursued and facilities were not yet ready. However, Somalis needed to be told that the international community would not understand further delay. (The UNSC trip to Africa and the visit of Somalia's Prime Minister to New York would provide opportunities for further helpful pressure.) The TFG complained of lack of funds for the NRC from the international community. Mr Pascoe noted that some of the funds had been conditioned in unhelpful ways: one sum was earmarked for the refurbishment of the meeting hall, but not to be spent until hostilities had ended -- not a realistic condition if strictly interpreted, given Somalia. ¶3. (SBU) Security: Conditions were improving and the AU Special Envoy would shortly be posted permanently in Mogadishu. Mr Pascoe thought that the Ugandans, the only deployed elements of the African Union Mission in Somalia, were doing a "good job" after a rough start. They were now out patrolling, not hunkered down at the airport,and were gaining a reputation for evenhandedness. But more troops were needed. The Burundi contingent was next in line, but AMISOM needed money and logistical support. Their mandate expired at the end of July, but even if a UN Peacekeeping Operation were to follow shortly, it would not be able to relieve AMISON before the end of the summer at the soonest. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles had told him that Ethiopia wanted to withdraw her troops, but could not do so until AMISOM was properly deployed, and the AU Mission lacked the financial resources to complete its deployment at this point. ¶4. (SBU) Humanitarian Issues: Mr Pascoe told TFG President Yusuf that humanitarian groups working out of Nairobi complained of TFG harassment. President Yusuf replied that the TFG would not tolerate such moves, but humanitarian groups needed to understand that Somalia now had a government and earlier free-wheeling ways were no longer appropriate. ¶5. (SBU) Regional Implications: Stability in Somalia was linked to the larger regional issues, and in both Addis and Asmara Mr Pascoe had heard charges against the other's activities in Somalia. Settling other regional disputes would also reduce meddling in Somalia. ¶6. (SBU) In members' comments there was widespread support for maintaining pressure for political progress, for reinforcing AMISOM until a PKO could be launched, and for "early" deployment of a UNPKO. No one spoke against the UK draft UNSC presidential statement which emphasized "the urgent need for appropriate contingency planning for a possible UN mission" and the PRST was therefore adopted. ¶7. (U) Text of Presidential Statement approved June 14. The Security Council reiterates its previous resolutions and Presidential Statements on Somalia, in particular its resolution 1744 (2007) and Presidential Statement S/PRST/2007/13, adopted on 30 April 2007. The Security Council reiterates its support for the National Reconciliation Congress as a mechanism for much-needed political dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia. The Security Council calls on the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the National Governance and Reconciliation Committee to ensure that the Congress convenes as soon as practicable. The Security Council appreciates the efforts of Member States and partners to support the early convening of the Congress and calls for further support. The Security Council underscores the importance of the Congress: - addressing the comprehensive and meaningful manner issues of political reconciliation, including representation in the Transitional Federal Institutions, and - agreeing a roadmap for the remainder of the transitional political process, in line with the Transitional Federal Charter and as laid out in the Roadmap to Governance, National Dialogue, and Reconciliation in Somalia of 14 March ¶2007. The Security Council expresses its grave concern regarding the recent pattern of attacks by extremist elements in Somalia, including the increased use of explosive devices, and condemns all attempts to use violence to undermine the political process and prevent the early convening of the National Reconciliation Congress. The Security Council calls on all Member States to cease immediately any further support of extremist elements or those who seek to block progress by violent means, and to support ongoing efforts towards inclusive political dialogue. The Security Council recalls its readiness, as set out in its resolution 1744 (2007),to consider measures against those who block progress in the political process and threaten the Transitional Federal Institutions. The Security Council condemns the attack on the Prime Minister on 3 June 2007 and the attack on the forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Mogadishu on 16 May 2007. The Security Council expresses its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. The Security Council underlines its appreciation for the efforts of the Ugandan forces currently deployed in Mogadishu under AMISOM and Uganda's invaluable contributions to peace and stability in Somalia. The Security Council reiterates its call on Member States of the African Union to contribute troops for AMISOM, and on other States and partners to provide financial, technical and logistical support for this effort. The Security Council emphasizes the urgent need for appropriate contingency planning for a possible United Nations mission, to be deployed in Somalia if the Security Council decided to authorizes such a mission. The Security Council looks forward to receiving the report from the Secretary-General regarding progress in this regard by SIPDIS mid-June. The Security Council emphasizes again the need for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian relief and assistance to Somalia, including assistance to the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, urges Member States to support generously such operations, and demands that all parties ensure unfettered access for humanitarian assistance. KHALILZAD