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. -------------- STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE -------------- ¶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. -------------- ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶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. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶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. -------------- NON-PAPER TEXT -------------- ¶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. -------------- REPORTING DEADLINE AND POC -------------- ¶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