Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE91440
2008-08-26 11:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

POINTS FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 26 SOMALIA BRIEFING

Tags:  KPKO UNSC SO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #1440 2391150
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 261144Z AUG 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 2867
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY 8925
UNCLAS STATE 091440 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO UNSC SO
SUBJECT: POINTS FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 26 SOMALIA BRIEFING

UNCLAS STATE 091440

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO UNSC SO
SUBJECT: POINTS FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 26 SOMALIA BRIEFING


1. Mission may draw on the following in Security Council
consultations on Somalia on August 26, 2008.


2. Mr. President, this council meets today to consult on the
way forward toward a more peaceful Somalia. I would like to
make four points.

First, this Council asked, in its Resolution 1814 in May of
this year, for the Secretariat to prepare an array of options
for a possible UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia for the
Council,s consideration. The Secretariat has yet to provide
this Council with what we would consider the full array of
options available. While we can consider the idea of a
Multinational Force as an interim step to a UN peacekeeping
operation, we do not want such a force to become a sine qua
non to expeditious consideration of a UN force. We are also
aware that DPKO puts together peacekeeping operations and not
multinational forces. DPKO should focus its efforts on
planning for possible options for a UN peacekeeping operation
as the Council has requested on several occasions. The
signing of the Djibouti Agreement signals the opening of a
window of opportunity for peace in Somalia, and the
international community must move quickly to take advantage
of this window by creating, properly mandating and deploying
a United Nations peacekeeping force to Somalia to create a
climate of calm in which the Djibouti Agreement can fulfill
its promise. In order to act quickly to take advantage of
this window of opportunity, we must ask that DPKO produce,
without delay, the array of options this council has
requested.

Second, the United States welcomes the August 18 signing of
the Djibouti Agreement by representatives of the Transitional
Federal Government and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of
Somalia. The agreement starts the implementation phase of a
process begun by the two signatories on June 9 to promote
peace and stability in Somalia. We thank the government of
Djibouti for hosting these important talks, and the Special
Representative of the Secretary General, Ahmedou
Ould-Abdallah, for his leadership in facilitating them.

Third, we continue to be appalled by the deplorable actions
of Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups, particularly in
their ongoing campaign to target humanitarian workers, UN
personnel, and AMISOM for assassination and kidnappings.
Those who commit these horrific acts must be held accountable
for their actions.

Fourth, the United States urges all parties in Somalia to
seize this historic opportunity to establish peace and
stability in Somalia. We encourage all parties, whether
signatories to the agreement or not, to adhere to its terms
and engage in peaceful dialogue towards a lasting solution.
The people of Somalia are tired of the long conflict that has
ravaged their country, and desperately need stability and a
more peaceful future.
RICE