SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES OCT SYG REPORT ON UNMIS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001050 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SU AF SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES OCT SYG REPORT ON UNMIS ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On November 5, A/SYG Mulet briefed the Security Council on the SYG's October 20 report on Sudan in an open meeting. In the discussion that followed, Council members discussed the ICC indictment of Bashir, pending elections, Abyei, oil revenue sharing, and reconfiguration of UNMIS troop deployments. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On November 5, UN Assistant Secretary General for the Department of Peackeeping Operations Edmond Mulet briefed the Security Council on implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in the Sudan and the activities of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS). Mulet highlighted that, while there have been no major ceasefire violations during the reporting period, implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) has been mixed. Mulet warned that the issuance of an ICC decision on Bashir could have implications for UNMIS and UNAMID and potentially derail the CPA. ICC Indictment of Bashir -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Mulet's remarks during the open meeting led to many SC members commenting on the ICC indictment of Bashir along predictable lines. Libya urged the Council to take heed of the "warning" in paragraph 81 of the SYG report that ICC actions will influence developments in Sudan and encouraged the SC to activate Article 16 of the Rome statute at a minimum. Costa Rica countered that the GOS must respect the judicial independence of the ICC and assist UNMIS in fulfilling its mandate. The UK, Belgium, Croatia, and Panama emphasized that the GOS must cooperate with the ICC. South Africa and Burkina Faso emphasized the negative impact ICC actions could have on the peace process, and China urged the Council to act when appropriate to insulate the peace process. Elections -------------- ¶4. (SBU) During the open meeting, Mulet noted that the GOS expects elections to take place on time, but that the July 9 date set forth in the CPA occurs during the middle of the rainy season when it will be nearly impossible to conduct elections, and that voter education is needed in the South, where many are illiterate. France asked Mulet to comment on whether the Secretariat believes elections are achievable in July 2009. China asked how the UN could speed up the process for holding elections. ¶5. (SBU) Mulet responded that it is not realistic to have elections in July 2009, but that only the parties can agree to postpone elections under the terms of the CPA. He further noted that the parties have not discussed an alternative date for elections. In response to China's inquiry, Mulet said that the UN cannot speed up the process for holding elections; it is the parties' responsibility. Mulet posited that if the National Election Commission (NEC) is established, requests for UN assistance can be formed, suggesting that the Council consider urging the GOS to establish the NEC quickly. During their remarks, both the U.K. and the U.S. flagged setting up the NEC as a priority item. Abyei -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Mulet acknowledged that implementation of the Abyei Roadmap is behind schedule. The UK noted that while forces have left the roadmap area, UNMIS still does not have complete freedom of movement. The US stressed that as long as the Abyei Interim Administration is not funded, no substantial progress can be made on the ground. Russia countered that the leaders of the Interim Administration are in place, and that there is no restriction on UNMIS movement. Oil Revenue Sharing -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Russia specifically noted disagreement with paragraph 79 of the SYG report, which recommends that parties to the CPA initiate discussion on a long-term wealth sharing agreement beyond 2011, when the people of Southern Sudan and Abyei will exercise their right to vote for either unity with or separation from Northern Sudan. Russia argued that this appeal is premature and could be misunderstood, asserting that this issue should only be addressed at a later stage. France emphasized its support for paragraph 79. In his closing remarks, Mulet admitted that distribution of oil revenue is an explosive issue, but also an important USUN NEW Y 00001050 002 OF 002 confidence building measure for both parties. He stressed that both parties must look to the future, regardless of the results of the 2011 referendum, noting that if this issue is not resolved, it will be the source of future conflicts. Reconfiguring UNMIS Troop Deployment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) In his October 20 report, the SYG recommended deployment of additional companies and a re-distribution of existing troops to areas of potential conflict where they are most needed. (Note: The proposed increase in UNMIS force strength would be from 9,375 to 9,975, which is still within the mandated strength of 10,000 under Resolution 1590. End Note.) The U.K., Russia, Costa Rica and the U.S. all stated that they agreed with this proposed reconfiguration. Khalilzad