SOMALIA: SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS AMISOM, PREVIEWS

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000696 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: GG PGOV PREL PHUM SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS AMISOM, PREVIEWS UN-AU SUPPORT ISSUES ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. On August 20, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the African Union to maintain its AMISOM mission in Somalia for an additional six months and setting the stage for a possible follow-on UN Peacekeeping Operation. Discussion in consultations prior to the adoption focused in large measure on laying down markers in anticipation of imminent SYG-AU consultations on the scope of AMISOM needs and UN capacity to meet them. Most delegations taking the floor argued for an expansive interpretation of the nature and extent of support the UN could offer the AU and AMISOM, with the U.S. making clear that UN financial assistance can flow only to milops featuring clear UN command and control. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Following 90 minutes of closed consultations, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1772 (un.org/docs/sc) on August 20. Preambular paragraph 7 (PP 7) of the resolution cites the August 4 letter from AU Chairman Konare to UNSYG Ban but does not expressly reiterate the language of that letter calling on the UN to put in place, "in consultation with the (AU) a financial, logistical and technical support package for AMISOM." Operative paragraph 15 (OP 15) of the resolution asks the SYG to consult with the AU about "what further support might be provided to AMISOM," but does not presume to characterize that possible support. ¶3. (SBU) Several delegations were unhappy with the failure of PP 7 and OP 15 together to clearly signal Security Council readiness to assist AMISOM financially. Italian Deputy PermRep Montovani said "Italy, as a major AMISOM donor, doesn't want to create the impression that the door to financial support for the AU is closed." He asked members to "consider compromise language." South African PermRep Kumalo said he would have preferred a more direct acknowledgment of Konare's request, adding that "we cannot be bold on Sudan regarding the AU and muted on Somalia." Ghanaian PermRep Christian said the Council "needs to urgently consider the AU request for support" which he hoped the AU would make explicit to the SYG for the report due to the Council in 30 days per OP 15. Indonesian PermRep Kleib said countries considering AMISOM troop contributions need to know what support AMISOM has and hoped the Council could quickly come to agreement on a support package after the 30-day report. Congo PermRep Gayama said he "would have hoped that Konare's letter would have been specified (in the resolution) in the terms he gave -- financial, logistical, and technical" support. ¶4. (SBU) Despite these misgivings, all delegations supported the text. UKUN effectively obviated any Italian thoughts about compromise language by moving to have the text tabled as a presidential (i.e. unanimously sponsored) text, effectively daring Italy's Montovani to openly oppose the text in probable contradiction of his orders from Rome. ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Wolff recalled the U.S. view that UN funds can be used for peacekeeping operations only under clear UN command and control. He said the resolution gave a clear message that everyone should be involved in aiding Somalia and that non-UN donors were of course free to follow their own guidelines. He then drew the Council's attention to OP 16's language's reiterating a call for contingency planning for deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation and urged members to view this resolution in the context of a likely AMISOM-UN transition. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT. Although members responsibly decided to let Resolution 1772 enter the world as a positive expression of Security Council solidarity in the cause of aiding Somalia, issues involving the nature and scope of UN assistance to AMISOM have been clearly presented and will play out in the context of the SYG's upcoming report on his consultations with Konare. Several members have served notice that they will be closely scrutinizing UN operations in Sudan and Chad for precedents helping them push the AMISOM assistance envelope. KHALILZAD