GUIDANCE FOR PRST ON GUINEA-BISSAU OCTOBER 7

UNCLAS STATE 106869 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SNAR PU XA XY SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR PRST ON GUINEA-BISSAU OCTOBER 7 ¶1. USUN is instructed to join consensus on the PRST on Guinea-Bissau (para 2) October 7 in the UN Security Council Consultations. ¶2. Begin text of PRST: The Security Council, recalling its previous statements on Guinea-Bissau, and having considered the latest report of the Secretary-General on developments in Guinea-Bissau and on the activities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (S/2008/628),reaffirms its support for the continuing efforts to consolidate peace in that country. The Security Council welcomes the Government,s commitment to the organization of fair, transparent and peaceful legislative elections on 16 November 2008, as well as the technical and financial support provided by the international community towards the elections, including by Angola, Brazil, Portugal, the ECOWAS, the EU, the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund and UNDP. The Council acknowledges the mobilization of the people of Guinea-Bissau for the forthcoming polls, in particular during the voter registration process. The Council reiterates its support for the organization of fair and transparent elections and calls on the Government to honour its sovereignty. The Council also calls on all stakeholders, including, in particular, political parties, military officials and civil society, to create the conditions required for the organization of the elections in November, and to respect the results of the polls. The Security Council notes with satisfaction the adoption of the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau by the Peacebuilding Commission,s Country-Specific Configuration on Guinea-Bissau on 1 October 2008, and the ongoing implementation of four quick impact projects for electoral support, youth employment, the rehabilitation of prisons and military barracks. It underlines the necessity to establish a follow up mechanism of the Strategic Framework implementation. The Security Council also welcomes the start of the Security Sector Reform programme in Guinea-Bissau and underscores the need for the international community to provide further assistance for its implementation. The Security Council remains concerned over the growth in drug trafficking activities in Guinea-Bissau. It notes with particular concern reports of the possible involvement of high ranking national officials in these activities and reiterates that the increasing incidence of drug trafficking threatens peace and security in Guinea-Bissau and in the sub-region. The Council takes note of the Secretary general,s recommendation to set up an experts panel to investigate the identity and activities of those involved in drug trafficking and organized crime in Guinea-Bissau. The Security Council welcomes the convening by ECOWAS, on 28-29 October 2008 in Praia (Cape Verde) of a regional conference on combating drug trafficking and the resulting regional plan of action to effectively deal with the menace posed by drug trafficking to the countries of the West Africa sub-region as a whole. The Council urges all partners to support the conference. The Security Council welcomes the IMF second and final disbursement envelope under the Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance (EPCA) and encourages the Government of Guinea Bissau to continue its dialogue and cooperation with the international financial institutions. The Council is, however, concerned about the consequences of the rising food and fuel prices and, in this connection, welcomes the World Bank,s support to address this crisis. The Council is also concerned about the cholera epidemic and calls on partners to remain engaged with the country for its eradication. The Security Council recognizes and commends the important role played by the Representative of the Secretary-General and the staff of UNOGBIS, as well as by the United Nations country team, towards helping consolidate peace, democracy and the rule of law, and expresses its appreciation for their activities. The Security Council will keep the situation in Guinea-Bissau under active review. RICE