APRIL 16 OPEN DEBATE: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND

UNCLAS STATE 041906

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL
SUBJECT: APRIL 16 OPEN DEBATE: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND
INTERVENTION ON REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS


1. This is a action message. See paragraph 2 and 3.


2. USUN is requested to deliver the following
intervention for the April 16 open debate on cooperation
between the United Nations and regional organizations.

Begin text:

Good morning.

I would like to thank President Mbeki and the Republic of
South Africa for holding this important debate.

Prime Minister Brown - Great Britain
Prime Minister Prod - Italy
Prime Minister Meles - Ethiopia
President Yusuf - Somalia
President Kabila - DRC
President Kikwete - Tanzania
President Museveni - Uganda

As President Bush noted upon his return from a recent trip
to the region, there have been striking changes in Africa
which are the result of a new generation of African
leaders - reformers who are determined to steer their
nations toward freedom and justice, prosperity and peace.
In the past four years alone, there have been more than 50
democratic elections in Africa, and more than two-thirds
of sub-Saharan African nations live in freedom. President
Bush continues to support democratic transitions in many
African countries such as Liberia and Mauritania,
strengthening democratic institutions in post-conflict
countries, such as the DRC and Burundi, and assisting
civil society organizations across Africa in combating
gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, and other
human rights violations. In FY 2007, the U.S. provided
close to $175 million for programs to promote just and
democratic governance in African nations.

In spite of substantial Continental improvements however,
we still face some enormous challenges in Africa. Today,
I would like to focus our discussion on one of those
challenges: how this COUNCIL can cooperate and enhance its
relationship with the Continent's regional organizations,
specifically, the African Union (AU). With the objective
to strengthen the relationship between the UN and the AU,
I would like to make three points which highlight three
recent crises in Africa. I will close with a statement on
the importance of funding AU peacekeeping capacity.

Before I begin though, let me state from the outset what
we all know: UN peacekeeping is overstretched - in large
part as a result of extensive and increasingly complex
commitments on the African continent. Sixty-three
thousand of the 91,000 UN troops currently deployed are
serving in Africa and these numbers will only increase as
deployments in support of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in
Darfur come to fruition. A probable UN operation in
Somalia could involve the deployment of thousands more.
And the use of violence in Zimbabwe has already created an
environment where a free and fair run off is improbable
and the international community may be called on to help.

The bottom line is that the supply of well-equipped
peacekeepers does not meet demand, and we must find ways
to use existing resources effectively and efficiently and
build capacity -- particularly regional capacity to do
more. This will take time - so we must look at both
short-term and longer-term solutions. With that in mind,
I would like to make four points.

First, the UNSC needs to reassess how we plan for and
sustain peacekeeping operations. Our peacekeeping
operations should be "goal-oriented" in nature, with
clearly defined missions, timelines and budgets.
Peacekeeping operations should be a means to an end,
rather than a substitute for resolving conflicts or an
excuse for delay. While we understand the risks of
leaving too soon, we should close nonviable peacekeeping
operations and adjust downwards as appropriate those that
are succeeding to encourage self-reliance and to free
forces and funds for where they are needed more, like
Darfur, where we are collaborating with the AU to address
a dire regional crisis. We continue to call for the
immediate and full deployment of UNAMID. The UN and AU must
demonstrate that this first example of a hybrid mission improves
the overall viability of the mission. As it stands the
desirability of it as a precedent remains in question. The
Government
of Sudan must lift all restrictions to allow for all
UNAMID troops and equipment to be deployed. We stress the
need for a Chief Negotiator to be announced and accepted
by all parties. And, we call on the Presidents of Sudan
and Chad to live up to their commitment S made at Dakar.

Second, we should support Auk?s efforts to enhance its
capacity to plan and execute viable peacekeeping
operations. The AU needs to build increased
administrative, logistical, and military planning
capacities as well as better financial accountability and
transparency. To that end, the U.S. has substantial
programs to assist these efforts and has provided
significant support in the form of logistical support and
technical expertise to the African Standby Force, the AU
Commission's emerging Strategic Planning and Management
Unit, and the Auk?s Situation Room. And the U.S. continues
to provide significant logistical capability in support of
both UN and AU peacekeeping efforts in Africa through the
provision of strategic lift of TCC units into theater,
including into Darfur and Somalia. We are prepared to
work with the AU and other regional organizations to
further enhance their capacity and we call on other
countries to step up their bilateral support as well. The
UN should prioritize its efforts to help the AU deal with
its deficits in financial management and
administrative capacities. Improvements in this area will
undoubtedly help donor countries explain to their own
electorate the rationale for supporting AU missions like
AMISOM, where the United States would like to recognize AU
efforts to stabilize and improve the SECURITY situation in
Somalia. Over the last two years the United States has
provided over $57 million to support AMISOM and we
continue to seek additional resources to support this
critical effort. We call on all AU member states to send
forces for this important mission and we call on the
international community to donate generously so that
AMISOM can fully deploy. In addition to AMISOM, we
support the Secretary General's call for a credible
political process and SECURITY presence. The U.S.
believes deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation is a
critical component of international efforts to achieve
lasting peace and stability in Somalia.

Third, closer UN-AU cooperation. In the realm of peace
and security, we applaud the formation of the UNDPKO AU
Peace Support Team and its work in the areas of mission
planning and the management of logistics and resources.
In the area of conflict prevention and mediation the
United States is encouraged by the efforts currently
underway by the Department of Political Affairs to
strengthen AU conflict prevention and mitigation
capacities. On humanitarian action, the United States is
intrigued by the Secretary General's recommendations of
enhancing the Auk?s early warning systems through the
development of a multi-risk early warning tool that
includes socio-political, natural, human-made, and
economic vulnerabilities.

Looking to the imminent future,
Zimbabwe fits into this category. The United States
remains extremely concerned about the situation there.
While there were irregularities in the pre-election
environment for the March 29 presidential and
parliamentary elections, including a campaign of
state-sponsored violence against the opposition and civil
society, it is clear the Zimbabwean people voted overwhelmingly
for change. It has been 18 days since the election and the
results of the Presidential race still have not been
announced. The Zimbabwe Election Committee needs to
immediately release the results, which must accurately
reflect the will of the people. The government and its
supporters must desist immediately from violence and
intimidation, act with restraint, respect human rights,
and allow the electoral process to continue unfettered.
We commend Southern African Development Community (SADC) efforts
to address the unfolding crisis. The time has come for the
United Nations to support their efforts through a joint mission
with the African Union to ensure that the electoral authorities
act in conformity with SADC principles for democratic elections,
the political violence ceases, and the will of the Zimbabwean
people is upheld.

And fourth, we must work with AU member states to increase
their NATIONAL peacekeeping capacity. The United States
is committed to helping African states increase their
capacity through programs such as the Global Peace
Operations Initiative (GPOI) and its Africa Contingency
Operations Training and Assistance Program (ACOTA). Since
2005, the United States has trained over 34,000 African
peacekeepers from 19 countries and has spent $375 million
to increase global capacity for peacekeeping operations in
Africa and elsewhere. Additionally, we see an opportunity
for several African countries to increase their capacity
for combined and joint operations by stressing
interoperability in equipment, training, and
communications and building professional relationships
among officers among African neighbors. Steps such as
these will enhance overall AU peacekeeping capacity.

In Conclusion: Funding for AU peacekeeping capacities is
important. The United States is well aware of the
financial shortfalls the AU faces, especially in
peacekeeping missions. This is why we have given so much
to AMISOM and to AMIS. We welcome the exploration of ways
to address the financing challenges faced by regional
peacekeepers. In this regard, we support the
establishment of a panel of distinguished persons from the
African Union, United Nations and other relevant
stakeholders to seek alternative, cost-effective means of
financial support, such as the establishment of a trust
fund or enhanced donor coordination.

I'd like to thank President Mbeki and South Africa for
their leadership in convening this important debate
today. We understand and appreciate South Africa's
interest in keeping COUNCIL attention focused on Africa
and in developing a more effective working relationship
between the UN and AU. Thank you.

end text


3. USUN is instructed to join consensus on the draft
Security COUNCIL Resolution on cooperation between the
United Nations and regional organizations.

Begin text:

The SECURITY Council,

Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and presidential
statements on the cooperation between the United Nations
and regional organizations, in particular resolutions 1625
(2005) of 14 September 2005, and 1631 (2005) of 17 October
2005, S/PRST/2004/27 of 20 July 2004, S/PRST/2004/44 of 19
November 2004, S/PRST/2007/7 of 28 March 2007,
S/PRST/2007/31 of 28 August 2007 and S/PRST/2007/42 of 6
November 2007,

Also reaffirming its resolutions 1325 (2000) of 31 October
2000, 1612 (2005) of 26 July 2005 and 1674 (2006) of 28
April 2006,

Recalling its primary responsibility for the maintenance
of international peace and security, and recognizing that
cooperation with regional and subregional organizations in
matters relating to the maintenance of peace and SECURITY
and consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the
United Nations, can improve collective security,

Welcoming the role of the African Union in efforts to
settle conflicts in the African Continent and expressing
its support for the peace initiatives conducted by the
African Union, and through subregional organizations,

Emphasizing the need to strengthen the role of the United
Nations in the prevention of armed conflicts, and
stressing utility of developing effective partnerships
between the United Nations and regional organizations, in
particular the African Union, in order to enable early
responses to disputes and emerging crises in Africa, and
in this regard noting with interest the
Secretary-General's proposal of conducting joint reviews

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by the United Nations and regional organizations of the
state of peace and SECURITY and of mediation endeavours,
particularly in Africa where joint mediation is being
undertaken,

Recognizing that regional organizations are well
positioned to understand the root causes of armed
conflicts owing to their knowledge of the region which can
be a benefit for their efforts to influence the prevention
or resolution of these conflicts,

Stressing the importance of further strengthening
cooperation with the African Union in order to assist
building its capacity to deal with common collective
security challenges in Africa, including through the
African Union's commitment of rapid and appropriate
responses to emerging crises situations, and the
development of effective strategies for conflict
prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding,

Recalling the resolve of Heads of State and Government of
the 2005 World Summit to expand, as appropriate, the
involvement of regional organizations in the work of the
Security Council, and to ensure that regional
organizations that have a capacity for the prevention of
armed conflict or peacekeeping consider the option of
placing such capacity in the framework of the United
Nations Standby Arrangements System,

Recognizing the importance of strengthening the capacity
of regional and subregional organizations in conflict
prevention and crisis management, and in post-conflict
stabilization,

Taking note of lessons learned from practical cooperation
between the United Nations and the African Union, in
particular the transition from the African Mission in
Burundi (AMIB) to the United Nations Operation in Burundi
(ONUB) and the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to the
United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID),

Acknowledging the contribution of the United Nations
Liaison Office in Addis Ababa in strengthening
coordination and cooperation between the United Nations
and the African Union, as well as the need to consolidate
it so as to enhance its performance,

Recognizing that regional organizations are well
positioned to understand the root causes of armed
conflicts owing to their knowledge of the region which can
be a benefit for their efforts to influence the prevention
or resolution of these conflicts,

Further recognizing that regional organizations have the
primary role in securing human, financial, logistical, and
other resources for their organizations, including through
obtaining contributions by their members and soliciting
contributions from donors to fund their operations,

Taking note of both the report of the Secretary-General on
the relationship between the United Nations and regional
organizations, in particular the African Union, in the
maintenance of international peace and SECURITY
-((S/2008/186) and the report of the Secretary-General on
conflict prevention, particularly in Africa -(S/2008/18),


1. Expresses its determination to take effective steps to
further enhance the relationship between the United
Nations and regional organizations, in particular the
African Union, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the
United Nations Charter;


2. Encourages the continuing involvement of regional and
subregional organizations in the peaceful settlement of
disputes, including through conflict prevention,
confidence-building and mediation efforts;


3. Welcomes regional dialogue and the promotion of shared
experiences as well as common regional approaches to the
settlement of disputes and other issues relating to peace
and security;


4. Welcomes and further encourages the ongoing efforts of
the African Union and the subregional organizations to
strengthen their peacekeeping capacity and to undertake
peacekeeping operations in the continent, in accordance
with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and
to coordinate with the United Nations, through the Peace
and SECURITY Council, as well as ongoing efforts to
develop a continental early warning system, response
capacity such as the African Standby Force and enhanced
mediation capacity, including through the Panel of the
Wise;


5. Welcomes recent developments regarding cooperation
between the United Nations, the African Union and the
European Union, including the contribution of the European
Union to the enhancement of African Union capacities;


6. Encourages regional and subregional organizations to
strengthen and increase cooperation among them, in
particular cooperation between the African Union (AU),
Organization of American States (OAS),Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and European Union (EU),
including efforts to enhance their respective capacities,
in the maintenance of international peace and security;


7. Expresses its determination to strengthen and make
more effective its cooperation with relevant organs of
regional organizations, in particular the African Union
Peace and SECURITY Council;


8. Expresses its determination to strengthen and enhance
cooperation between the United Nations and regional
organizations, in particular the African Union, in
conflict prevention, resolution and management including
good offices, mediation support, effective use of
sanctions as mandated by the SECURITY Council, electoral
assistance, and preventive field presence; and in the case
of Africa, focusing on the support to the African Union
Panel of the Wise among others;


9. Stresses that common and coordinated efforts
undertaken by the United Nations and regional
organizations, in particular the African Union in matters
of peace and security, should be based on their
complimentary capacities, making full use of their
experience in accordance with the United Nations Charter
and the relevant Statutes of the regional organizations;


10. Underlines the importance of the implementation of
the Ten-Year Capacity-Building Programme for the African
Union mainly focusing on peace and security, in particular
the operationalization of the African Union Standby Force;


11. Encourages the increased engagement of the African
Union Peacekeeping Support Team within the Department of
Peacekeeping Operations as a coordinating point, aimed at
providing necessary expertise and transfer of technical
knowledge to enhance the capacity of the African Union's
Peace Support Operations Divisions including in mission
planning and management, as well as the deployment of the
Department of Political Affairs' STAFF to work with the
African Union on the operationalization of the Panel of
the Wise and other mediation programmes;


12. Calls on the Secretariat in coordination with the
African Union Commission to develop a list of needed
capacities and recommendations on ways the African Union
can further develop military, technical, logistic and
administrative capabilities;


13. Encourages closer cooperation between the United
Nations Secretariat and the African Union Commission,
including through supporting regular follow-up missions by
United Nations Secretariat STAFF to African Union
headquarters to provide further assistance, and share
experiences;


14. Expresses its determination to further consider how
to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations in the
prevention of armed conflict, particularly in Africa;


15. Recognizes the important role of the good offices of
the Secretary-General in Africa, and encourages the
Secretary-General to continue to use mediation as often as

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possible to help resolve conflicts peacefully, working in
coordination and closely with the African Union and other
subregional organizations in that regard, as appropriate;


16. Recognizing that UN assessed contributions are not a
viable option for funding regional organizations.


17. Further recognizing the need to enhance the
predictability, sustainability and flexibility of
financing regional organizations when they undertake
peacekeeping under a United Nations mandate, welcomes the
Secretary-General's proposal to set up within three months

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an African Union-United Nations panel consisting of
distinguished persons to consider in-depth the modalities
of how to support such peacekeeping operations, in
particular start-up funding, equipment and logistics and
to consider in-depth lessons from past and current African
Union peacekeeping efforts;


18. Requests the Secretary-General to include in his
regular reporting to the SECURITY Council, assessments of
progress on the cooperation between the United Nations and
relevant regional organizations;


19. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

End text
RICE