GUINEA-BISSAU: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND TALKING

UNCLAS STATE 067997 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PGOV SNAR PU XA XY SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND TALKING POINTS FOR JUNE 25 CONSULTATIONS ¶1. This is an action cable. USUN is instructed to join consensus on the Guinea-Bissau PRST (paragraph 3) set for adoption on June 25. USUN may draw from the talking points in paragraph 2 for the Security Council briefing scheduled for the same day. ¶2. Begin talking points for briefing on Guinea-Bissau: -- The United States thanks the Special Representative for the Secretary General for Guinea-Bissau Shola Omoregie and UNODC's Executive Director Antonio Mario Costa for their briefings on the situation in Guinea-Bissau. Today, I would like to make five points. -- First, while some political and economic progress continues in Guinea-Bissau, the United States remains concerned about instability, especially due to a weak security sector and the influence of drug trafficking. We are especially concerned about the events of April 13th, when members of the public order police attacked and vandalized the judicial police headquarters in Bissau. The attack culminated with the extrajudicial killing of a member of the judicial police, who was in custody for the killing of a public order police officer. We call for a full and transparent investigation and prosecution of those involved in this attack. There can be no room for vigilante justice in the new Guinea-Bissau. -- The United States is also deeply troubled by the large increase in drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau in recent years, and the negative consequences it has brought to Guinea-Bissau and the region. We welcome the arrival of the UNODC anti-narcotics and organized crime Special Adviser to Guinea-Bissau. We are pleased UNODC will now have a full time dedicated presence there to help the Government combat this scourge. -- Second, the United States welcomes the release of the results of the UNDP-financed census of the armed forces of Guinea-Bissau. While the Security Sector Reform program envisions a reduction in the size of the armed forces from 4,458 personnel to 3,440, we remained concerned by the top-heavy structure of the armed forces of Guinea-Bissau, which impinges on Guinea-Bissau's economy and is an obstacle to greater efficiency in the armed forces. -- Third, we also welcome the approval of the Guinea-Bissau Interim Priority Plan and the allocation of US $6 million from the Peacebuilding Fund for the implementation of four short-term project proposals. We encourage the Peacebuilding Commission to continue its work in addressing issues of anti-corruption, strengthening the rule of law in consideration of the dangers of drug trafficking and organized crime, and developing democratic accountability. -- Fourth, the United States remains very concerned with child trafficking in Guinea-Bissau. Many children are trafficked for forced begging by religious instructors, called "marabouts" to other West African countries, primarily Senegal. The parents entrust their sons to these "marabouts," believing they will receive a religious education. Unfortunately, many unscrupulous individuals exploit the children and abuse them for their own profit. We call on the Governments of Guinea-Bissau and Senegal to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this illegal activity and increase their efforts to prevent trafficking in persons. -- Fifth, we applaud the work of UNICEF and the UN Population Fund to end female genital mutilation in Guinea-Bissau. We are discouraged by the decision of the President of the Parliamentary Commission for Women and Children Issues (PCWCI) to remove a draft bill to ban the practice. We urge the President of the PCWCI to reconsider his position to help end this barbaric practice. -- Guinea-Bissau still faces many challenges, but with the help of the international community, the United Nations, and bilateral support from its friends and neighbors, Guinea-Bissau will overcome these obstacles. End points ¶3. Begin PRST on Guinea-Bissau: The Security Council was briefed on the situation in Guinea-Bissau on 25 June 2008 by the Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Shola Omoregie. The Security Council welcomed the progress on the preparations for the legislative elections scheduled for 16 November 2008 and commended the international partners for their pledges in support of the elections. It urged the international community to continue to provide technical, material and financial resources in order to fill the current gaps and ensure effective and timely elections. It called all parties including the Government to ensure an environment conducive for free and fair elections. The Security Council reiterated its concern over the activities related to drug trafficking and organized crime. It noted with satisfaction the continued support provided by the international community for the implementation of the anti-narcotics operational plan. It called on the Government to cooperate fully at regional and international levels in order to tackle drug trafficking and organized crime. The Council welcomed the decision of Cape Verde to host the ECOWAS regional conference on drug trafficking and organized crime in West Africa and called on the international community to support the conference. Furthermore, the Security Council welcomed the start of the European Security and Defence Policy mission in Guinea-Bissau and called on the donor community to continue to contribute financially in order to complement the European Union's support provided to Security Sector Reform, in particular in law enforcement and criminal justice system. The Security Council expressed support and encouragement for the Government's collaboration with the Peacebuilding Commission and looked forward to the country's strategic framework for peacebuilding. It supported the Secretary-General's recommendation on the strengthening of UNOGBIS and the United Nations country team's capacities to enable them support the process efficiently. The Security Council welcomed the improved prospects for economic recovery and stressed that budget support from the international community will help the country to invest in public services and infrastructures. The Security Council reiterated its support for the action undertaken by the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau, the United Nations country team and the ECOWAS to ensure long lasting peace and stability. End PRST. RICE