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