GUIDANCE FOR 9 JANUARY 2008 UN SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS STATE 002151 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV UNSC AF SU SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR 9 JANUARY 2008 UN SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ON UNAMID PURPOSE: This is an action request. The Department asks USUN to draw upon the following themes for the United Nations (UN) Security Council Consultations on the UN-African Union (AU) Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on 9 January 2008. -------------- -------------- CONDEMN SUDANESE ARMED FORCES ATTACK ON UNAMID AND PRESSURE ALL PARTIES -------------- -------------- --Condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack by Sudanese Armed Forces on a UNAMID supplies convoy on 7 January 2008; consequently we strongly urge the Security Council to take further measures as appropriate for such an unacceptable attack, including tightening of the arms embargo. --Stress the urgent need to deploy UNAMID rapidly and push for all parties to accelerate UNAMID's deployment. --Strongly state that attempts by any party, including both the Government of Sudan (GOS) and rebels, to derail the process or threaten elements of the force will not be tolerated. --Express strong support for further measures if GOS and rebel intransigence continues. -------------- ESPECIALLY PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN -------------- --Express deep concern at the Government of Sudan's refusal to accept the full list of troop contributing countries agreed upon by the UN and AU. The GOS must not renege on its agreement to cooperate with UNAMID's deployment, including acceptance of non-African components in a predominantly African force. The GOS must end its obstruction to allow deployment of UNAMID to move forward in full. This includes providing immediate and full approval for all UNAMID TCCs regardless of nationality, providing access to necessary land and water, granting flight clearances (including at night and not limited to medical evacuations),issuing visas in a timely manner, and finalizing an appropriate status of forces agreement that allows UNAMID the freedoms required to implement its robust mandate. -------------- PRESSURE FOR OTHER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS -------------- --Note that very little of the Heavy Support Package of UN assistance to AMIS and UNAMID has actually deployed. --Urge the UN and troop and police contributing countries to accelerate the steps necessary for deployment, particularly given the urgency of the situation in Darfur. --Press the UN to move forward immediately with deployment of self-sustaining Ethiopian, Egyptian, and Thai battalions and to make provisions (such as camp construction) for those units which will require additional support. --Urge the UN to ensure UNAMID's three principal officers - Head of Mission, Force Commander, and Director of Administration - maintain a constant presence in Darfur to implement UNAMID's rapid deployment. --Reiterate the call for countries to contribute the necessary helicopters and heavy transport units and express support for the UN-led 16 January meeting on this issue. -------------- -------------- PRESSURE FOR A CEASEFIRE AND POLITICAL SETTLEMENT -------------- -------------- --Urge all parties to respect a ceasefire immediately. Urge all parties to cooperate with the UN-AU-led peace process. Note that all parties must be held accountable for their actions. POINT-OF-CONTACT: Grace M. Kang, IO/PSC 202-736-7735. BACKGROUND: Although the transfer of authority from the African Union Mission in Darfur (AMIS) took place on 31 December 2007 as required by UN Security Council Resolution 1769, very little of the Heavy Support Package of UN assistance to AMIS and UNAMID has actually deployed. Pressure is required on all parties, especially the GOS. RICE