Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE106869
2008-10-06 23:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

GUIDANCE FOR PRST ON GUINEA-BISSAU OCTOBER 7

Tags:  UNSC PREL PHUM SNAR PU XA XY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #6869 2802344
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 062340Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 3403
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

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