Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE68509
2008-06-25 22:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

INSTRUCTION CABLE FOR EXPERTS MEETING ON LRA

Tags:  UNSC PREL PHUM UG XA XW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #8509 1772213
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 252214Z JUN 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS STATE 068509 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM UG XA XW
SUBJECT: INSTRUCTION CABLE FOR EXPERTS MEETING ON LRA
RESOLUTION

UNCLAS STATE 068509

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM UG XA XW
SUBJECT: INSTRUCTION CABLE FOR EXPERTS MEETING ON LRA
RESOLUTION


1. This is an action cable. USUN is instructed to seek
the changes in paragraph 2 to the PRST on the Lord's
Resistance Army (full text in paragraph 3). USUN is
instructed to report back immediately the results of the
experts meeting on the issue slated for June 25 at 2pm.
USUN is also instructed to push for adoption at the
earliest opportunity once consensus on the PRST has been
obtained.


2. USUN should seek the following changes for the PRST on
the LRA:

In para 2 seek the following changes:

-- Replace "a negotiated peace deal" with "the Final Peace
Agreement (FPA)"

-- Replace penultimate sentence to read, "However, the
Security Council condemns LRA leader Joseph Kony's
repeated delays and failure to sign, and calls for the LRA
to begin immediately the process of Disarmament,
Demobilization and Reintegration and go immediately to
assembly points"

-- Delete "In this context, it welcomes indications that
the LRA, and Joseph Kony in particular, may be willing to
re-engage in the peace process, and encourages them to do
so." Reasoning: The Department believes Kony has no
intention to sign the peace deal or implement it.

In para 4 seek the following changes:

-- NOTE: Under absolutely no circumstances is USUN to
agree to ICC language or ICC references in the PRST. Thus,
replace "It welcomes regional co-operation efforts aimed at
effecting the International Criminal Court arrest warrants
against the three LRA indictees" with "It welcomes regional
co-operation efforts aimed at bringing perpetrators of war
crimes and crimes against humanity to justice, protecting
innocent civilians, and containing the LRA."

In para 5 seek the following changes:

-- Replace "negotiated" with "peaceful"
-- After "settlement" insert "of the 22 year conflict"
-- Delete: "to further a long-term and peaceful solution
to the conflict."


3. Begin full text of the current PRST on the LRA:

1. The Security Council welcomes the efforts undertaken by
Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, as the
Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the LRA-affected
areas, as set out in the Secretary-General's letter of 21
November 2007 to the President of the Security Council (S/2007/719).
The Council welcomes his briefing of 20 June
2008, and looks forward to his continued engagement on the
issue.

2. The Security Council welcomes the overall success of
the Juba peace process, which has provided sustained peace
and security for the population of northern Uganda, and
resulted in a negotiated peace deal. The Council praises
the Government of Uganda for its continued commitment to
the Final Peace Agreement (FPA). However, the Security
Council expresses its concern that the FPA has not been
signed, and condemns LRA leader Joseph Kony's repeated
delays and failure to sign. It calls upon the LRA to sign
the FPA immediately, and to begin the process of
Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration. In this
context it welcomes indications that the LRA, and Joseph
Kony in particular, may be willing to re-engage in the
peace process, and encourages them to do so.

3. The Security Council strongly condemns the recent LRA
attacks at Nabanga, Sudan, as well as the reported
abductions and other abuses of innocent civilians in the
region. It demands that the LRA release immediately all
women, children and other non combatants, in accordance
with Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) on children
and armed conflict.

4. The Security Council reiterates that the perpetrators
of war crimes and crimes against humanity must be brought
to justice. It welcomes regional co-operation efforts
aimed at effecting the International Criminal Court arrest
warrants against the three LRA indictees.

5. The Security Council stresses its continued support for
a negotiated settlement, and commends the Government of
Southern Sudan and others for their efforts to further a
long-term and peaceful solution to the conflict. The
Security Council encourages the Government of Uganda, with
the support of international partners, to implement the
Agenda Items in the FPA. It welcomes the stated intention
of the Government to Uganda to devote additional resources
to the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for northern
Uganda in order to speed reconciliation and recovery in
that region.
RICE