COORDINATING WITH FRENCH ON UN FOLLOW-ON PRESENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 114559 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2018 TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV EU PREF CD FR PKO CT CM SUBJECT: COORDINATING WITH FRENCH ON UN FOLLOW-ON PRESENCE IN CHAD AND THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC REF: A. NDJAMENA 491 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. PARIS 1936 Classified By: ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHILLIP CARTER, 1.4 (B) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 2. SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (C) Department requests Embassy Paris to engage with the Government of France (GOF) on ways to move forward on ensuring a sufficient United Nations peacekeeping mission to replace the current United Nations Mission to the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) and the European Union Peacekeeping Force (EUFOR). Department would like to discuss options for coordinated initiatives to support ongoing efforts by the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to generate sufficient forces, personnel, and resources for a follow-on peacekeeping mission in Chad and northeast Central African Republic (CAR). Department also seeks French input on the presence of formed police units (FPU) in the follow-on mission. Following an agreement on a coordinated approach between the USG and GOF, the Department would like to work with the French to jointly inform DPKO of our views. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶3. (C) Department asks Embassy Paris to pursue the following objectives: - Commend the French for their support of the current MINURCAT and EUFOR missions in eastern Chad and northeast CAR, as well as French support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1834 extending the mandate for MINURCAT to March 2009. - Highlight USG support for a follow-on mission in the region to replace the current MINURCAT/EUFOR mission and to improve the security situation in both eastern Chad and northeast CAR. - Note while USG financial contributions for a follow-on mission must go through the formal approval process within USG, the Department will advocate with the United States Congress for resources for a follow-on mission. - Ask French officials for their views on the tasks and composition of a follow-on mission; specifically, should there be a strong African component to the follow-on mission? What should be the ratio of gendarmes or Formed Police Units (FPUs) to military peacekeepers? In Chad? In the CAR? Note that air assets will be an important force enabler. - Inform them the Department is prepared to encourage African partners in the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI),s Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program to contribute units to a follow-on United Nations mission. Indicate that the USG plans to provide assistance to train and equip contingents for a follow-on mission, as resources allow. Ask which African countries should be prioritized for training and equipping support. - Ask the French for additional ways the USG and France can partner together to ensure sufficient resources are available for the follow-on United Nations mission, and note that Department experts are prepared to coordinate via a Video Teleconference (VTC) with French authorities. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶4. (C) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1834 extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) to March 2009, which coincides with the end of the mandate of the European Peacekeeping Force (EUFOR) established to provide security to MINURCAT personnel, humanitarian operations, and the civilian population. The United Nations Secretary General,s September 15 report on MINURCAT and EUFOR activities recommended a United Nations mission in eastern Chad and northeast Chad that would include 6,000 peacekeepers to replace the EUFOR force. Also, there would be an "over the horizon" rapid response force of some kind-a concept that was not very fleshed out in the report. The Special Representative for MINURCAT, Victor Angelo, and the Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Edmond Mullet, noted the Government of Chad has agreed in principle to an expanded follow-on force. DPKO recently obtained confirmation from President Deby. President Bozize has also expressed support for a continued United Nations presence in northeast CAR. ¶5. (C) United Nations officials have noted that the ability to stand up an expanded peacekeeping mission to take over EUFOR,s responsibilities depends upon the number of troop contributing countries (TCCs). While we understand that some EUFOR countries are prepared to rehat troops to become part of the UN mission, other countries, including France (which provides a significant portion of the current EUFOR contingent) are reluctant to maintain a presence in eastern Chad. France has suggested a greater African presence for a follow-on mission, but this possibility may meet resistance from certain groups who view African forces as ill-prepared and ill-equipped to handle the challenges of a difficult region. ¶6. (C) The United States supports the presence of an expanded United Nations mission that would take over EUFOR,s functions. An expanded peacekeeping mission would help protect vulnerable populations and humanitarian operations in an increasingly volatile region. It would also permit MINURCAT to continue its current responsibilities of training and monitoring Chadian gendarmes to protect refugee and IDP camps, and allow the mission to have a more active role in enhancing local security capacities in eastern Chad. FY 2009 budget request for the USG assessed share of a follow-on mission is USD 39 million, but this allocation still requires formal USG approval, and is likely to be insufficient to meet our assessed share of a total MINURCAT budget that could reach $600 million or more. In addition, AF is considering reaching out to ACOTA partners (such as Cameroon) to encourage them to provide troops and FPUs to a follow-on mission. ¶7. (C) In order to support DPKO,s efforts in full, however, we believe that coordination with the French is essential. Sounding the French out on their views for tangible approaches to ensure a robust presence in eastern Chad and northeast CAR will allow the USG to better gauge its discussions with DPKO on how best to move forward in implementing a follow-on mission. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶7. (U) Embassy should report results of efforts by cable to AF/C and AF/RSA by Tuesday, October 28. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶8. (U) Please contact AF/C Desk Officer Satrajit (Jitu) Sardar at (202) 647-4966 or via classified or unclassified e-mail or AF/RSA Desk Officer Chris Pommerer at (202) 647-7158 or via classified or classified e-mail for any necessary further background information or argumentation to meet our objectives. RICE