Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USUNNEWYORK481
2007-06-14 21:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USUN New York
Cable title:  

JUNE 14 SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ON SOMALIA

Tags:  ER ET SO UK UNSC PREL PHUM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0481/01 1652138
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 142138Z JUN 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2066
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 1345
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA PRIORITY 1112
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 0165
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0844
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 0087
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 0282
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY 0616
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

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