USUN INSTRUCTIONS FOR UNAMID CONSULTATIONS

UNCLAS STATE 132284 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SU SUBJECT: USUN INSTRUCTIONS FOR UNAMID CONSULTATIONS ¶1. This is an action request. USUN is requested to draw from the following points during consultations on the hybrid UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) scheduled for December 19, ¶2008. Begin Points: I would like to thank UN Secretary General Ban (or appropriate) for his briefing. I would also like to thank the Secretary General and the personnel of UNAMID for their work in attempting to reduce the severe insecurity of the civilian population in the Darfur region of Sudan. The people of Darfur have suffered from violence and deprivation far too long, and we appreciate the efforts of UNAMID to help ease this suffering. We recognize the personnel of UNAMID have undertaken a critically important task -- one that must be performed under the most trying circumstances and in a most difficult environment. We salute their continuing efforts to bring peace to the region and express our sincerest appreciation for their efforts. Today, I would like to make the following points: First, the U.S. welcomes and fully supports all efforts to attain full deployment of UNAMID's authorized force level. We are, however, very disappointed in the continuing problems and roadblocks preventing a complete and rapid deployment. The reasons for these delays are many, but none should be permanent or persistent spoilers. The U.S. believes all parties must identify weaknesses preventing UNAMID from reaching its potential, and take immediate action to address those weaknesses. We believe a much greater effort is needed to manage the mission and the logistics required to support it. The U.S. has continually exerted efforts to assist in improving mission operations. Other nations have also indicated a willingness to contribute to this effort; however, the United Nations has not developed the efficiencies to take full advantage of assistance when it is offered. We urge DPKO to take a more aggressive stance in soliciting and utilizing international resources to obtain full operational capacity for UNAMID. We urge UNAMID's troop and police contributing countries to fulfill their commitments, and ask other countries to give aid and support to this vital mission attempting to protect those in danger. Second, we noted with interest the recent announcement of a ceasefire by the Sudanese government, however, we are dismayed that military action by rebel groups and Sudanese armed forces continues. In light of these concerns, the U.S. is prepared to take a leading role working with UNAMID on an international ceasefire monitoring team to ensure implementation and maintenance of a true ceasefire. We stand ready to assist the Government of Sudan and UNAMID in this endeavor. Third, we welcome the recent efforts by the Government of Qatar in developing a framework for a peace agreement for Darfur. We believe that regional entities can play an important and constructive role in establishing peace in Darfur. At the same time, we iterate our support for UN/AU Chief Mediator Bassole's efforts to bring all parties to the negotiating table and establish a framework for lasting peace. We urge the governments of Chad, Libya, and Egypt to provide immediate and continuing assistance and support for these effort. We implore the parties to create an atmosphere conducive to bringing all groups to the bargaining table, which is an essential element in attaining a sustainable peace. Fourth, the U.S. is deeply concerned about continuing attacks and harassment of humanitarian aid workers in the Darfur region, including some reportedly perpetrated by Government of Sudan forces. Violence and harassment directed against aid workers prevent the delivery of critically needed supplies and assistance, and has a chilling effect on all relief efforts. We also condemn the attacks on UNAMID as well, and express our deep sorrow and disappointment about the killing and injury of UN peacekeepers. The U.S. believes the Government of Sudan and UNAMID must work cooperatively and consistently to create a secure environment permitting the delivery of much needed assistance to the people of Darfur and to provide protection for all UN personnel. The Government of Sudan must also commit to identifying and bringing to justice the lawless elements committing these crimes. Fifth, we iterate our support and encouragement for the normalization of relations between Chad and Sudan, and ongoing efforts to establish a border monitoring mechanism. We recognize the regional linkages of the conflict, and the impact of the crisis in Darfur on neighboring countries. We applaud the exchange of ambassadors and the establishment of the Peace and Security force to monitor the Chad - Sudan border. Finally, the United States would like to highlight our grave concern for the ongoing gender-based violence that is continuing in Darfur. Internally displaced women and girls continue to be attacked and raped while going about daily tasks such as gathering firewood or getting water. In most cases, the perpetrators are reported to be men in Sudanese military uniforms. We call on the Government of Sudan to address this unacceptable behavior within its ranks, to ensure that the perpetrators are investigated and brought to justice and convey without question that rape and other forms of gender-based violence are not tolerated or condoned by the Government of Sudan. We ask UNAMID to continue to be especially responsive on this horrific issue and do everything within its scope to offer protection, monitoring, assistance, and reporting channels for the women and girls of Darfur. RICE