AFGHANISTAN: GUIDANCE FOR UNSC RENEWAL OF THE

UNCLAS STATE 101218 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC ISAF AF SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN: GUIDANCE FOR UNSC RENEWAL OF THE ISAF MANDATE ¶1. The Department instructs USUN to support UNSC adoption of the Italian draft resolution (para 4) renewing the International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF) mandate in Afghanistan. The Department also refers USUN to the following guidance in negotiating the final text of the resolution. USUN should seek additional guidance should there be substantial changes to the resolution in para 4 with the exception of those issues discussed in paras 2 and 3 below. Redlines -------------- ¶2. The operative paragraphs should not change from the current draft, thus leaving the ISAF mandate unchanged from the previous 12 months. The Department cannot support Russian efforts to include language regarding anti-narcotics efforts in an operative paragraph. We believe that the current references to counter-narcotics efforts as reflected in PPs 6, 8, and 14 are sufficient in the context of the ISAF mandate. A further role for ISAF in counter-narcotics activities would need to be approved in advance by ISAF contributing countries. Any further reference to counter-narcotics efforts can only be general in nature. ¶3. The Department cannot accept language that singles out ISAF or other international forces as the cause of civilian casualties, or that fails to put the issue of civilian casualties in its proper context, particularly in light of continuing Taliban actions that intentionally increase the number of civilian casualties. The resolution may reference the Council's concern and its desire for all concerned to take steps to ensure protection of civilians. The resolution may reference the Council's concern and its desire to protect civilians. We prefer the current formulations regarding civilian casualties in PPs 12 and 13, but can accept the following language: PP 12 Reiterating its serious concern with the number of civilian casualties and reiterating its call for all feasible steps to be taken to ensure the protection of civilians, and for international humanitarian and human rights law to be upheld, and taking note of the recent statements of the Afghan authorities in this regard. PP13 Calling on ISAF and other international forces to continue their robust efforts to minimize the risk of civilian casualties, notably by the continuous review of tactics and procedures, and to conduct after-action reviews in cooperation with the Afghan Government in cases where civilian casualties have reportedly occurred, and in this regard encourages international forces to investigate, in full cooperation with Afghan government authorities, military operations that may have caused civilian casualties. ¶4. Begin resolution text: The Security Council, PP1 Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular its resolutions 1386 (2001),1510 (2003), 1776 (2007) and 1806 (2008), PP2 Reaffirming also its resolutions 1267 (1999),1368 (2001) and 1373 (2001),and reiterating its support for international efforts to root out terrorism in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, PP3 Recalling its resolutions 1265 (1999),1296 (2000), 1674 (2006),and 1738 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, its resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women and peace and security, and its resolution 1612 (2005) on children and armed conflict, PP4 Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, PP5 Recognizing that the responsibility for providing security and law and order throughout the country resides with the Afghan Authorities and welcoming the cooperation of the Afghan Government with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), PP6 Recognizing once again the interconnected nature of the challenges in Afghanistan, reaffirming that sustainable progress on security, governance and development, as well as the cross-cutting issue of counter-narcotics is mutually reinforcing and welcoming the continuing efforts of the Afghan Government and the international community to address these challenges through a comprehensive approach, PP7 Stressing the central and impartial role that the United Nations continues to play in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan by leading the efforts of the international community, noting, in this context, the synergies in the objectives of UNAMA and of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF),and stressing the need for strengthened cooperation, coordination and mutual support, taking due account of their respective designated responsibilities, PP8 Expressing its strong concern about the security situation in Afghanistan, in particular the increased violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, illegally armed groups, criminals and those involved in the narcotics trade, and the increasingly strong links between terrorism activities and illicit drugs, resulting in threats to the local population, including children, national security forces and international military and civilian personnel, PP9 Expressing also its concern over the harmful consequences of violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups on the capacity of the Afghan Government to guarantee the rule of law, to provide security and basic services to the Afghan people, and to ensure the improvement and protection of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, PP10 Reiterating its support for the continuing endeavors by the Afghan Government, with the assistance of the international community, including ISAF and the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) coalition, to improve the security situation and to continue to address the threat posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups, and stressing in this context the need for sustained international efforts, including those of ISAF and the OEF coalition, PP11 Condemning in the strongest terms all attacks, including Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks, suicide attacks and abductions, targeting civilians and Afghan and international forces and their deleterious effect on the stabilization, reconstruction and development efforts in Afghanistan, and condemning further the use by the Taliban and other extremist groups of civilians as human shields, PP12 Expressing its concern about all civilian casualties, and reiterating its call for all feasible steps to be taken to ensure the protection of civilian life and for international humanitarian and human rights law to be upheld, PP13 Recognizing the robust efforts taken by ISAF and other international forces to minimize the risk of civilian casualties, notably the continuous review of tactics and procedures and the conduct of after-action reviews in cooperation with the Afghan Government in cases where civilian casualties have reportedly occurred, PP14 Stressing the need for further progress in security sector reform, including further strengthening of the Afghan National Army and Police, disbandment of illegal armed groups, justice sector reform and counter narcotics, PP15 Stressing in this context the importance of further progress in the reconstruction and reform of the prison sector in Afghanistan, in order to improve the respect for the rule of law and human rights therein, PP16 Reiterating its call on all Afghan parties and groups to engage constructively in peaceful political dialogue within the framework of the Afghan Constitution and in the socio-economic development of the country, and to avoid resorting to violence including through the use of illegal armed groups, PP17 Recalling the leading role that the Afghan Authorities will play for the organization of the next elections, and stressing the importance of the assistance to be provided by ISAF in securing the conduct of such elections, PP18 Recognizing the importance of the contribution of neighbouring and regional partners for the stabilization of Afghanistan, and stressing the need to advance regional cooperation as an effective means to promote security, governance and development in Afghanistan, PP19 Welcoming tthe continued coordination between ISAF and the OEF coalition, and the cooperation established between ISAF and the European Union presence in Afghanistan, particular its police mission (EUPOL, Afghanistan), PP20 Expressing its appreciation for the leadership provided by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and for the contributions of many nations to ISAF and to the OEF coalition, including its maritime interdiction component, PP21 Determining that the situation in Afghanistan still constitutes a threat to international peace and security, PP23 Determined to ensure the full implementation of the mandate of ISAF, in coordination with the Afghan Government, PP24 Acting for these reasons under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, ¶1. Decides to extend the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force, as defined in resolution 1386 (2001) and 1510 (2003),for a period of twelve months beyond 13 October 2008; ¶2. Authorizes the Member States participating in ISAF to take all necessary measures to fulfill its mandate; ¶3. Recognizes the need to further strengthen ISAF to meet all its operational requirements, and in this regard calls upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to ISAF, and to make contributions to the Trust Fund established pursuant to resolution 1386 (2001); ¶4. Stresses the importance of increasing, in a comprehensive framework, the functionality, professionalism and accountability of the Afghan security sector, encourages ISAF and other partners to sustain their efforts, as resources permit, to train, mentor and empower the Afghan national security forces, in particular the Afghan National Police, in order to accelerate progress towards the goal of self-sufficient and ethnically balanced Afghan security forces providing security and ensuring the rule of law throughout the country, and welcomes in this context the progress achieved by the Afghan Authorities towards assuming lead security responsibility for Kabul, and stresses the importance of supporting the planned expansion of the afghan Natioanl Army; ¶5. Calls upon ISAF to continue to work in close consultation with the Afghan Government and the Special Representative of the Secretary General as well as with the OEF coalition in the implementation of the force mandate; ¶6. Requests the leadership of ISAF to keep the Security Council regularly informed, through the Secretary-General, on the implementation of its mandate, including through the provision of quarterly reports; ¶7. Decides to remain actively seized of this matter. End text. RICE