UK AND UGANDA: NEXT STEPS ON THE LRA

S E C R E T LONDON 001643 SIPDIS NSC FOR HUDSON AND PITTMAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2013 TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO UNSC SU UG UK SUBJECT: UK AND UGANDA: NEXT STEPS ON THE LRA Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Maura Connelly, reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (S) The UK Government has adopted a "harder edge" policy to "isolate and marginalize" the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in the face of LRA leader Kony's continued refusal to sign the Final Peace Agreement (FPA),according to FCO Northern Uganda Desk Officer Sheena Lavery. With the Juba Peace Process now over, Lavery told Poloff on June 13, the UK considers the FPA still open for signature but realizes that military action is likely to be necessary. HMG's preferred outcome remains seeing Kony and other LRA leaders tried in the International Criminal Court (ICC),and it will support military action aimed at arresting Kony, while understanding "military action may not allow for an ICC trial." The UK is strongly supportive of international coordination on any military planning because "it has to be done right and there is likely only to be one shot" at Kony. A failed attempt would be "more damaging," and Lavery said there was some concern that any number of actors on the ground could take hasty action. ¶2. (C) Lavery also said that UN Special Envoy for LRA-Affected Areas Joachim Chissano's mandate will need to be adjusted; it needs to be de-linked from the Juba Process. He should serve as a "focal point for international community action in the area." Chissano should also be encouraged to move beyond the Juba Process and disassociate himself from Kony and others in the LRA. In the UN, Lavery said the UK will advocate for a formal discussion of the LRA and may consider sanctions or other punative actions to tackle problems with diaspora elements funding and supporting the LRA. For security and stability on the ground, Lavery said it may be necessary to give UNMIS Chapter VII authority to deal with LRA factions in South Sudan. Looking ahead, Lavery thought it would be crucial to make sure North-South reconciliation happens in Uganda as soon as possible to stabilize the North and reduce the threat of insurgency. Visit London's Classified Website: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom TUTTLE