UN SECURITY COUNCIL 5/12/08 CONSULTATIONS:

UNCLAS STATE 049723

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR UNSC
SUBJECT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL 5/12/08 CONSULTATIONS:
SECURITY SECTOR REFORM

REF: 2007 STATE 20109


1. (U) The Security Council is scheduled to hold
consultations on security sector reform (SSR) on May 12. The
consultations will follow a briefing on the
Secretary-General's report of January 23, 2008 on the UN's
role in supporting SSR (Security Council Report #2008/39).
USUN may draw on the points in paragraph 2.


2. Begin points: (Introduction) The United States welcomes
the opportunity for continuing discussion of this important
topic. We appreciate the thorough and thoughtful
consideration in the Secretary-General's report of how the UN
might best support security sector reform, particularly in
post-conflict situations. We also note with appreciation the
impetus given to the Council's attention to this issue by the
energetic engagement of Slovakia and South Africa.

-- Today's conflicts often involve multiple factors. The
response to these situations requires a multidimensional,
coordinated effort on the part of the international community.

-- We commend the work being done by so many UN departments,
agencies and programs to address these challenging tasks.

-- Often, rebuilding and reforming the security sector is an
essential process in a larger effort to address and resolve
the root causes of the conflict.

-- Security sector reform must be a transparent, inclusive
process, carried out in the broader context of the rule of
law, supporting good governance. We note that such programs
have for some years been increasingly included in peace
agreements and in the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations
which support the restoration of peace and stability.

-- We support the Secretary-General's recommendations for UN
technical and advisory assistance, as well as a role, where
appropriate, in assisting coordination of donor contributions
to security sector reform programs.

-- To ensure a viable, sustainable peace, it is also
important that planning for security sector reform be
integrated into peacekeeping operations from the beginning of
the process.

-- The United States bilaterally supports security sector
reform programs in several post-conflict situations.

-- We consider our contributions of police and other criminal
justice experts in four UN operations and numerous bilateral
programs to be integral to our support for peacekeeping.

-- We remain committed to supporting effective multilateral
responses to confront the internal and often regional
consequences of conflict.


End points.
RICE