BURKINABE PRESIDENT COMPAORE ON CURRENT UNSC ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000536

SIPDIS

IO AND AF FOR FRONT OFFICE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ZI SU KDEM UNSC IV
SUBJECT: BURKINABE PRESIDENT COMPAORE ON CURRENT UNSC ISSUES

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 B/D.


1. (C) SUMMARY: AMB Khalilzed met Burkinabe President Blaise
Compaore June 10 to discuss current issues facing the UN
Security Council. Khalilzad asked Burkina Faso to support
the U.S. initiative on sexual violence in situations of armed
conflict. Khalilzad told Compaore that Burkina Faso could be
helpful on Zimbabwe by supporting a Security Council meeting
on the Mugabe government's efforts to prevent a free and fair
runoff election. Compaore asked for financial support to
move forward with implementation of the Ouagadougou Political
Agreement. Khalilzad commended Burkina Faso's contribution
to the UN African Union Mission in Darfur. Compaore called
for an international conference to address the Touareg
conflict. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Burkinabe Participants: President Blaise Compaore,
Alain Yoda, Minister of Health; Ernest Yohli, Ambassador to
the U.S., Paul Tiendrebeogo, D/PermRep to the UN. U.S.
Participants: AMB Zalmay Khalilzad, USUN poloff (notetaker).
(NOTE: Burkinabe PermRep Michel Kafando had not yet returned
from the UNSC mission to Africa when this meeting took place.
END NOTE.)

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Sexual Violence
Thematic Debate
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3. (C) AMB Khalilzed told Burkinabe President Compaore that
the U.S. is using its Security Council presidency to
highlight the issue of gender-based violence. The U.S. has
put forward a resolution in connection with the thematic
debate for June 19 to send a clear message that the
international community rejects the use of rape as an
instrument of war. Compaore replied that Burkina Faso
supported the initiative and would be help the U.S. to
formulate a strong message from the Security Council.

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Zimbabwe
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4. (C) On Zimbabwe, AMB Khalilzad asked President Compaore to
support a Security Council meeting on the situation in the
lead up to the June 27 elections. Khalilzad said that the
U.S. is concerned that Zimbabwean President Mugabe's security
forces are terrorizing and intimidating the electorate with
the aim of preventing a free and fair runoff election. The
U.S. believes it is time for the issue to be discussed in the
UN Security Council and wanted Burkina Faso's support.
Compaore gave a positive, non-committal response and promised
to follow up with the Burkina Faso's Permanent Mission in New
York.

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Darfur/UNAMID
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5. (C) AMB Khalilzad thanked Burkina Faso for contributing to
UNAMID and encouraged Compaore to ensure that the forces
deploy as scheduled in November 2008. He said the political
situation in Darfur will "take sometime to resolve" so the
priority right now is to deploy capable forces that can
prevent a further escalation of the conflict and alleviate
suffering in Darfur. Compaore said that Burkina Faso
supported the U.S. position on Darfur and appreciated U.S.
bilateral military assistance, which will allow Burkina Faso
to contribute to UNAMID.

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Cote d'Ivoire
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6. (C) Compaore raised Burkina Faso's mediation efforts in
Cote d'Ivore and asked for assistance to ensure that the
elections take place as scheduled in November 2008. Compaore
said implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement
would require financial assistance and neutral, impartial
forces to assist with the election process. AMB Khalilzad
responded that the U.S. is committed to seeing that elections
take place and examining possible contribution options.

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Mali/Niger
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7. (C) In regard to the Touareg conflict, Compaore said that
an international conference should be held to address the
regional dimension of the conflict. Compaore said that
Burkina Faso is working with other regional actors to convene
the meeting in Bamako. AMB Khalilzad said that the U.S.
appreciated Compaore's efforts to look for a solution to the
conflict between Mali and Niger and understood that the
Touareg refugee situation affected Burkina Faso.

Khalilzad