Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK1180
2008-12-17 19:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USUN New York
Cable title:  

BURUNDI AT THE UN: CONSENSUS TO RENEW BINUB; SOUTH

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM KPKO BY ZF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #1180 3521956
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171956Z DEC 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5543
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 0566
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001180 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KPKO BY ZF
SUBJECT: BURUNDI AT THE UN: CONSENSUS TO RENEW BINUB; SOUTH
AFRICA WITHDRAWING ITS TROOPS

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001180

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KPKO BY ZF
SUBJECT: BURUNDI AT THE UN: CONSENSUS TO RENEW BINUB; SOUTH
AFRICA WITHDRAWING ITS TROOPS


1. (SBU) The United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi
(BINUB) was before the Security Council on December 11. The
Burundian PermRep told the Council the names of an
independent electoral commission will be announced "in the
coming days," a critical step for the organization of 2010
elections. All Council members supported renewing BINUB's
mandate for another year. All members were encouraged by a
December 4 agreement between the Government of Burundi (GOB)
and the rebel group Palipehutu-FNL, bringing the final armed
group into negotiations with the GOB.


2. (SBU) During private consultations following the public
session of the Council, BINUB Head Mahmoud said he hoped
disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of the
Palipehutu-FNL would start soon. He also said BINUB's major
focus was preparation for the 2010 elections. South African
PermRep Kumalo said his country, after 13 years of assisting
Burundi in keeping the peace, would withdraw its troops by
December 31, 2008. Kumalo said South Africa, Uganda, and
Tanzania are the regional guarantors of the peace process,
but now it was time for Burundi to move its country forward.


3. (SBU) Ambassador DiCarlo said in private consultations
BINUB needed to assist the Government of Burundi address
human rights violations, especially the arrest and detention
of activists and sexual violence against women and girls, and
vigorously prosecute perpetrators. She stressed U.S. support
for free and fair elections in 2010. NOTE: BINUB's mandate
is expected to be renewed by December 19. END NOTE.
Khalilzad