USUN GUIDANCE: UKUN SUDAN SANCTIONS NON-PAPER

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 119781

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018
TAGS: ETTC KTFN PGOV PREL SU UNSC
SUBJECT: USUN GUIDANCE: UKUN SUDAN SANCTIONS NON-PAPER

REF: USUN 970

Classified By: IO A/S Hook for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This is an action request; see para 3.

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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
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2. (U) The strategic objective is to support efforts that
will allow the UN Security Council Committee established
pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan to
carry out its mandate more effectively.

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ACTION REQUEST
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3. (C/NF) USUN is instructed to inform the UK Mission to the
United Nations in New York (UKUN) that the U.S. supports the
ideas laid out in their non-paper and to assist in the
implementation of the suggested actions. USUN is further
instructed to request the non-paper be modified, if it will
be distributed outside of the P-3, to remove references to
specific countries blocking actions in the UNSC Sudan
Sanctions Committee. (Note: China and Russia have blocked
proposals in the Committee, where consensus is required to
take action. However, if the non-paper moves beyond the P-3,
noting China's and Russia's obstructionist behavior will not
garner goodwill. End Note.) Additionally, Committee meetings
are closed and proceedings are to be kept "confidential"
among the members of the Committee. Therefore, all
activities, particularly media briefings, should be conducted
in accordance with the Sudan Sanctions Committee's guidelines
(www.un.org/sc/committees/1591/pdf/Sudan guide E.pdf, see
paras 24 and 27 in particular). Otherwise, we might expect
USG positions taken in UNSC Sanctions Committees to be
publicized.

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BACKGROUND
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4. (C) The UN Security Council Committee established pursuant
to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan has had
limited success in carrying out its mandate with respect to
measures aimed at restoring peace and security in Sudan and
the region. It is difficult to reach consensus in the
Committee on actions that can be taken to pressure the
Government of Sudan and other Member States to implement the
sanctions, which include a partial arms embargo and targeted
measures (an asset freeze and travel ban) that currently only
apply to four individuals designated by the Council. UKUN
drafted the non-paper in para 5 with input from USUN and the
French Mission to the UN to identify ways the P-3 can assist
the Committee more effectively to achieve its objectives even
in the absence of consensus.

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NON-PAPER TEXT
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5. (C) OBJECTIVE

To increase activity and press coverage of the Committee,
recognizing tangible outputs will not be possible due to lack
of consensus amongst members, in order to:

a) make Sudan and its backers feel more heat (e.g.,
can't block measures in private knowing there will be no
scrutiny);

b) give the Chair more to report to Security Council --
thereby ensuring greater Council focus on violations of SCRs
1591 and 1556;

c) improve Council awareness of the situation on the
ground, in particular in the context of any draft SCR
proposing to invoke article 16 of the ICC Charter;

d) maintain some momentum on implementation of UN
sanctions despite political divisions in the
Council/Committee.

ACTIONS

-- Hold informal briefings of media

a) after meetings, especially when China or Russia block
a proposal, e.g., Chinese blocked French proposal for
voluntary embargo

b) about Committee's agenda -- e.g., when Committee has
"summoned" Sudanese PR to appear.

-- Invite relevant PermReps to the Committee for direct
questioning by member states (e.g., Sudanese PR, Chad PR),
using OP3(a)(i) of SCR 1591 "to encourage dialogue between
the Committee and interested member states, in particular
those in the region, by inviting representatives of such
states to meet with the Committee to discuss implementation
measures."

-- Seek Committee agreement to invite relevant UN/AU/EU
officials to the Committee (e.g., DPKO, Bassole, UNAMID).
They will highlight SCR violations.

-- Encourage NGO's to write to the Committee with
evidence/allegations of SCR violations (NGOs based in Darfur,
e.g., Oxfam, are unlikely to be able, but those that aren't,
e.g., Human Rights First, could be encouraged). The Chair
would then circulate to all members and seek to place on
agenda for discussion. He would also be able to refer to the
allegations when briefing the Council.

-- If Russia/China block Committee discussion of NGO input,
consider hosting in UK/French/US missions an informal event
for committee members to hear a briefing by an NGO.

-- Invite briefings by experts from capitals on national
efforts to implement provisions of SCRs 1591, 1556 and 1672.
For example, arms experts could present information on
embargo violations and explain domestic regulations to
prevent the transfer of banned items or implement end-use
certification. This has been done in the Iran Sanctions
Committee. The expert could also brief media whilst in NY.

-- Request new chair of the Committee travel to the region
(Khartoum, N'Djamena, Addis, Darfur, maybe Tripoli) in early
2009 to meet with government officials, explain role of the
Committee and emphasize the importance of full implementation
of relevant SCRs.

END TEXT.

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REPORTING DEADLINE AND POC
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6. (U) USUN is to inform Department of UKUN's response and
next steps. Point of contact in IO's Office of Peacekeeping,
Sanctions, and Counterterrorism is Jean Clark (202.736.7736;
clarkjt@state.sgov.gov)


7. (U) Department appreciates Mission's efforts.
RICE