UNSC: OUTGOING PERM REPS ANALYZE AND DISSECT BODIES

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001190 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC PGOV ETTC SUBJECT: UNSC: OUTGOING PERM REPS ANALYZE AND DISSECT BODIES ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On December 15, outgoing Security Council Perm Reps from Italy, South Africa, Indonesia, Belgium and Panama provided the Council with analysis, personal reflections and "lessons learned" about their Chairmanships of UN Security Council Subsidiary Bodies. The Belgian Perm Rep lauded new "fair and clear procedures" in the 1267 al-Qaeda/Taliban Sanctions Committee, recommended greater focus on sanctions violations in the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee and expressed his concern about the lack of follow-up in the 1572 Cote D'Ivoire Sanctions Committee to allegations of human rights abuses. The Italian Perm Rep lamented that lack of consensus undermined action in the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee and noted the minimal activity of the 1718 Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee. The South African Perm Rep, Chair of the 751 Somalia Sanctions Committee, highlighted the linkages between piracy and violations of the Somalia arms embargo. The Indonesian Perm Rep noted that the 1533 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Sanctions Committee had observed a troubling lack of awareness of the sanctions measures; he also observed that the Rwanda Sanctions Committee had dissolved itself in the summer of 2008. The Chairs also gave briefings on the ad-hoc working groups including the Working Group of Peacekeeping Operations, the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals, and the Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa and the Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. END SUMMARY. OUTGOING PERM REPS REFLECT ON THEIR CHAIRMANSHIPS -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On December 15, the Permanent Representatives of the outgoing Security Council members Italy, South Africa, Indonesia, and Belgium shared their thoughts with the Council on the activities of the following Subsidiary Bodies under their Chairmanship: The 1591 (2005) Committee on Sudan, the 1718 (2006) Committee on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),the 751 (1992) Committee on Somalia, the 918 (1994) Committee on Rwanda, the 1533 (2004) Committee on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),the 1267 Committee on al-Qaeda/Taliban Sanctions, 1572 (2004) Committee on Cote d'Ivoire, and the 1737 (2006) Committee on Iran Sanctions. These briefings, traditionally held each December, allow the Chairs to analyze and dissect the internal workings of these Subsidiary Bodies and provide recommendations for their improvement. The Chairs also gave briefings on the ad-hoc working groups including the Working Group of Peacekeeping Operations, the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals, and the Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa and the Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. 1267 al-Qaeda/Taliban Sanctions Committee -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Belgian Chair of the 1267 al-Qaeda/Taliban Sanctions Committee lauded the adoption of UNSCR 1822 in June 2008 as "a milestone in the life of this Committee" and highlighted the improved procedures for listing and delisting contained in that resolution. He explained that given the increasing international pressure regarding transparency and due process, the 1267 Committee has made significant process in these areas. The Chair stated that there is no doubt that terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, that the 1267 Sanctions regime is still one of the most important tools of the international community for fighting terrorism, and that we can only increase its effectiveness by ensuring fair and clear procedures. 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Belgian Perm Rep, in his capacity as Chair of the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee, explained that the activities of the Committee had been carried out in parallel with the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Chair explained that while the sanctions have definitely affected Iran's nuclear program, they have only served to delay but not stop the program. He stated that Iran "persists in refusing dialogue and in cultivating ambiguity." This refusal to cooperate has prevented any reassurance of international community of the program's peaceful nature. The Chair recommended that the Committee examine the deficiencies of implementation more thoroughly. In order to do so, he believed assistance from a panel of experts, like those supporting other Sanctions Committees, would be a useful and logical complement. 751 Somalia Sanctions Committee -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The South African Perm Rep spoke to the Council in his role as Chair of the 751 Somalia Sanctions Committee, describing the recent UN Somalia Monitoring Group's report as a "sobering" account of the deteriorating security situation in Somalia. He argued that while the link between sanctions violations and piracy (rapidly becoming multimillion dollar industry) has received global attention, this is only one symptom, not the root, of conflict. Pirates, he said, invoke legitimate concerns regarding illegal fishing and dumping in Somali waters, which earns them support among the Somali population. The Perm Rep declared that "fragmented efforts are unlikely to succeed" and that a "comprehensive and holistic" approach (including the strengthening of AMISOM) is necessary in Somalia. 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Italian Perm Rep, Chair of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee explained that despite a shared objective, different interpretations of the Committee's intended role among its members impeded the Committee's effectiveness. He recommended for the future that the Committee reach out to international and non-governmental organizations, promote dialogue with regional countries, and ensure liaison with the mediation of the political process and with UNAMID. He argued that the Committee does not work in a vacuum and therefore should work in concert with the other components of the Security Council's strategy in Darfur. He related that an NGO had briefed the Committee on Friday, which he found useful and hoped such practices would continue. (NOTE: The NGO referenced was Human Rights First, in a briefing that USUN had arranged. Following the success of this briefing, USUN plans to support this NGO's efforts to conduct a larger, voluntary briefing for new Council members in 2009. END NOTE) 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Perm Rep of Indonesia, Chair of the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee, stated that the Council's adoption of UNSCR 1807 (2008) has added simplification and clarity of the sanctions regime and has lead to renewed cooperation of the DRC authorities. The Chair noted that the level of awareness and implementation of the measures remains limited and that addressing this limitation would require the full collaboration and engagement of States in the region. He expressed his hope that Council actively use the sanctions regime as a positive instrument integrated into a wider political strategy to end the conflict and recommended that the Committee engage further with States in the region and others to ensure increased compliance. 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Italian Perm Rep, speaking as the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee Chair, highlighted the ban on luxury goods, but noted the Committee's minimal work during 2008. Due to high interest of Member States, the Committee clarified that this includes any definition of luxury goods necessary to the States' implementation of this provision of the resolution, and would be the responsibility of the individual Member States. The Committee adopted guidelines for its work, continued to identify additional items under the luxury good ban, and received reports from 73 countries and one organization (the EU) on their implementation of the measures, but did not receive any requests for targeted sanctions designation. Since July 2007, no new relevant information has been brought to the attention of the Committee. 1572 Cote d'Ivoire Sanctions Committee -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The Belgian Chair of the 1572 Cote d'Ivoire Sanctions Committee noted the reports from the UN Group of Experts of continued failure by the Cote d'Ivoire authorities to implement the sanctions measures due to ignorance, indifference, or expressed contempt for the measures. He believed this would continue to be a challenge for the international community. The Chair said he was struck by the lack of follow up regarding the numerous allegations of human rights violations, particularly cases of sexual violence with women and children, which are intolerable and should be followed closely. 918 Rwanda Sanctions Committee -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The Indonesia Chair briefed the Council regarding the 918 Rwandan Sanctions Committee. The Chair explained that the sanction measures had been gradually terminated over the years as a result of continual improvement in the political climate. Due to this improvement and the subsequent inactivity of the Sanctions Committee, the Council decided to dissolve the Committee in May 2008 (UNSCR 1823). Informal Working Groups -------------- ¶11. (SBU) The Chairs of the Working Groups gave brief reports and made encouraging statements on their ongoing respective work and expressed hope that progress would continue to be made in these areas in the future. The Working Group for Peacekeeping Operations (Indonesia) reported two informal meetings during their chairmanship, taking up the subjects of the Surge in Peacekeeping Operations, Security Sector Reform, and the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).The Informal Working Group on International Tribunals (Belgium) reported that the concentration of their discussions focused on the issue of establishing a residual mechanism to carry out essential functions of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and Rwanda (ICTR) after their closure. The Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa (South Africa) reported that under South Africa's chairmanship they highlighted the need to strengthen the working relationship between the African Union (AU) and the UN and hosted thematic debates that brought several Heads of State and Government to the Security Council. The Chair stated that he is looking forward to reports from the AU-UN panel proposing concrete ways the UN can support the AU with predictable and sustainable resources and hoped the Group's deliberations on the concept of "Responsibility to Protect" would contribute to the debate following the Secretary General's report to the General Assembly early next year. The Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (Panama),reported that in efforts to make the Council more efficient, the Group had focused on issues relating to the "seizure statement," meeting formats, and the participation of non-Council members in the Council's work. Khalilzad