SYG BAN AND UNSC MEMBERS DISCUSS SOMALIA, SUDAN,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 000559 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV PTER KPKO KHUM SU BM AF SUBJECT: SYG BAN AND UNSC MEMBERS DISCUSS SOMALIA, SUDAN, BURMA, AND ZIMBABWE ¶1. (SBU) Summary. As President of the UN Security Council for June, Amb Khalilzad hosted SYG Ban Ki-Moon for the monthly lunch with UNSC Ambassadors on June 23, for a discussion that focused mostly on Zimbabwe, Somalia, Sudan, and Burma. Based on his conversations with African leaders, Ban said it was no longer possible to hold a fair and credible election in Zimbabwe and that the upcoming run-off elections should be postponed for at least month. He strongly welcomed the agreement recently reached in Djibouti between Somali factions and urged the creation of a new self-deploying multi-national force to Somalia led by a strong "anchor" country that could create the conditions for a peacekeeping operations. On Sudan, Ban said he had selected as joint UN-AU mediator for Darfur the current Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, Djibril Bassole. He outlined a plan to achieve 80 percent UNAMID deployment by the end of the year, but said he would need more cooperation from Sudan and flexibility from troop contributors -- including provision of helicopters and heavy equipment -- to meet that goal. Ban shared concerns about the failure of UNMIS to protect civilians in Abyei and pledged that DPKO would investigate and take "corrective action." Ban said he was "cautiously optimistic" about improvements in relief operations in Burma, and said he would dispatch Special Envoy Gambari "as soon as possible" to the region to resume talks on the political process. Ban also appealed to member states for support in making sure the UN mission in Afghanistan gets the necessary resources to attract qualified staff. ¶2. (SBU) Summary, cont'd. Amb Khalilzad and European PermReps welcomed Ban's comments on Zimbabwe, but China and others argued the UNSC should support regional efforts to resolve the situation and refrain from "taking sides." Several member states wondered whether any country would volunteer to lead a new multi-national force in Somalia. Amb Khalilzad argued for immediate steps to improve the humanitarian and security situation in Sudan, while China urged the international community to focus on supporting the political process and ensuring that Sudan does not split apart. Amb Khalilzad and the UK also welcomed Ban's pledge to investigate UNMIS's response to the recent violence in Abyei. On Burma, delegations generally welcomed the recent �0A;improvement in the humanitarian situation, but were split on the future of the political process and the role of the Security Council. Amb Khalilzad argued there had been no progress on the political track and that the referendum on the constitution was deeply flawed. China urged the UNSC to be "very cautious" about engaging on the political process and to focus on supporting Ban and Gambari's efforts. On Afghanistan, member states welcomed pledges made at the recent Paris conference and committed their full support for Kai Eide and UNAMA. End Summary. Zimbabwe: Situation Unacceptable -------------- ¶3. (SBU) SYG Ban emphasized that it is no longer possible to hold a fair and credible election in Zimbabwe, given the climate of violence and intimidation over the past few weeks, and that the best way forward would be to postpone the election for one month or so. He said he would release a statement to the press to this effect following the lunch and that he planned to increase his personal engagement on the issue and encourage African leaders to do the same. Ban reported that in the past week, he had consulted with several African leaders about Zimbabwe, including the Zambian and Kenyan Presidents, former SYG Kofi Annan, and AU Commission Chair Jean Ping. He was also trying to reach the Angolan President and had received a message from South African PermRep Kumalo on behalf of SAG President Mbeki. All African leaders had agreed that the situation in Zimbabwe was unacceptable. ¶4. (SBU) Amb Khalilzad argued that while the international community had to focus on the violence in Zimbabwe and the effect on the political process, it was also important to focus on the dire humanitarian situation in the country. It is unacceptable that the Zimbabwean Government blocked NGOs from distributing aid to the needy. France expressed hope that UNSC members who had objected to its invocation of the "responsibility to protect" with regard to Burma -- because that situation involved a natural disaster -- would not shirk from applying the principle in Zimbabwe given that events there are entirely man-made. China agreed that the situation USUN NEW Y 00000559 002 OF 004 in Zimbabwe was "very difficult," but urged support for regional efforts through SADC to mediate between the two sides, and cautioned against "taking sides." Vietnam urged the UNSC not to politicize the issue but instead to focus on helping the Zimbabwean people. Somalia: Need a New Multi-National Force -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Ban strongly welcomed the agreement recently reached in Djibouti between Somali factions and urged the international community to move quickly to support it. He reported that during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah voiced strong support for the Djibouti Agreement, and pledged his full cooperation to implement it. Ban said the task before the international community now is to send a self-deploying multi-national force (MNF) led by a capable "anchor" country to Somalia, and once that force has established basic conditions of security, a UN peacekeeping operation could take its place. The nature and composition of such an MNF are not yet clear, Ban said. DPKO U/SYG Guehenno acknowledged that there was yet "no sign" of a country coming forward to serve as an "anchor" for this force, but he expressed hope the international community would meet its obligations in Somalia. Before the MNF is assembled, Ban argued to strengthen the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),including by increasing planning and technical support to the African Union. He said he planned to co-host a donors conference with the AU to increase support for AMISOM. ¶6. (SBU) Several member states expressed skepticism about Ban's suggestion to send a multi-national force (MNF) to Somalia. The UK sought advice from DPKO in framing the options before the Council -- has security on the ground improved to the point that an MNF would be able to deploy? Russian PermRep Churkin, noting Guehenno's admission that no country had yet volunteered troops, suggested that the Secretariat's proposal for an MNF might be "wishful thinking." Italian PermRep Spatafora asked why the Secretariat was proposing a new MNF when AMISOM was originally supposed to be a stabilization force that would pave the way for a UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia. Turning away from AMISOM towards a new MNF, Spatafora argued, could be seen as a setback for the AU. Ban replied that AMISOM was intended to be a stabilization force, but because of a lack of support from the international community, it had not been able to be effective. Of the 8,000 troops mandated for AMISOM, he complained, only 2,000 had been provided. Financial assistance to AMISOM from the EU and others was uneven, despite the Secretariat's repeated requests. Given AMISOM's limitations, therefore, a new MNF would eventually be needed. Sudan: Disappointed with UNMIS in Abyei -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Ban informed Council members that he had selected a joint UN-AU mediator for Darfur, the current Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, Djibril Bassole. Both the President of Burkina Faso and AU Commission Chair Ping had welcomed the selection. Once the Secretariat had informed the Darfur rebels, Ban said, Bassole would depart as soon as possible for the region and remain there on a full-time basis (which Ban made clear would mean Bassole would relinquish his duties as Foreign Minister). Noting that the selection was not yet official, Ban asked Council members to keep the appointment confidential until the UN made its announcement. ¶8. (SBU) Turning to UNAMID, Ban said he has a plan to achieve 80 percent deployment by the end of the year. But achieving this goal would require "active support" from the Government of Sudan, which heretofore had maintained an "inflexible" attitude, as well as "increased flexibility" from troop contributors. The focus of the effort would be the six new UNAMID battalions, including two from Egypt, one from Senegal, and one from Thailand. Ban urged UNSC members to press Sudan to support this plan and said that he planned to convene troop contributors to discuss the needed helicopters and heavy ground transport equipment. Ban complained that all TCCs say their assets are otherwise occupied, but in order to improve the situation in Darfur, they must fulfill their collective responsibility to support UNAMID deployment. USUN NEW Y 00000559 003 OF 004 ¶9. (SBU) On North-South issues, Ban said the situation in Abyei was "serious" and threatened to unravel the entire Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). He said he "shares concerns" regarding UNMIS's response to the recent violence in Abyei, and suggested that the peacekeepers may have failed to fulfill their mandate to protect civilians from harm. Ban pledged that DPKO would investigate the incident and take "corrective action." The focus now should be on restoring security in Abyei and "robust action" to support the Abyei roadmap. He predicted that the situation would remain volatile until progress was achieved on the boundary issues, DDR, and elections. ¶10. (SBU) Council members generally welcomed Ban's comments on Sudan. China said the political process remains fundamental to successful implementation of the CPA and DPA and to ensuring Sudan does not split apart. China also welcomed Ban's appointment of a joint UN-AU mediator. Amb Khalilzad agreed the political process remains important, but he argued it is essential in the meantime to improve the humanitarian situation in Sudan and ensure security, because the political process will take time to resolve itself. He and UK PermRep Sawers also welcomed Ban's comments about UNMIS's performance in Abyei and said they would look forward to the results of DPKO's investigation. Italy asked whether UNMIS's failure to act was a result of the inadequacy of its mandate or its rules of engagement (Note: Ban did not respond specifically to Italy's question. End Note.). Burma: Cautious Optimism on Aid -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Ban said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the humanitarian situation in Burma, given the recent increase in relief operations there. He reported that relief workers were now able to stay in the country longer because the regime had issued longer-duration visas, that helicopters are now reaching the most vulnerable, and that the tripartite UN-ASEAN-GOB mechanism was functioning well. Ban said the UN would launch a revised humanitarian appeal for Burma in early July and that he would remain personally involved through his Special Envoy Gambari, who would travel back to the region "as soon as possible." He cautioned member states that it is "not time to politicize" the issue of humanitarian access, but underscored his commitment to use his good offices to bring an early democratization of Burma, including the release of ASSK. He said he had raised ASSK's fate with Senior General Than Shwe, but Shwe declined to comment. Ban said specifically that the regime's seven-step plan offered an opportunity to move forward, but that the process must be "inclusive and credible," and he expressed concern that the constitution the regime recently put forward in a referendum enshrined the military as the supreme decision-maker in the country. ¶12. (SBU) Delegations generally welcomed the recent improvement in the humanitarian situation, although some noted the changes came two months after the cyclone hit, but they were split on the future of the political process and the role of the Security Council. Amb Khalilzad argued there had been no progress on the political track and that the referendum on the constitution was deeply flawed. He urged Ban to give Gambari a specific mission to accomplish on his next visit to Burma. France, recalling that it had been accused of "politicizing" the Burma issue during the cyclone, noted that the regime's decision to proceed with a referendum during the immediate aftermath of the cyclone was much more of a political decision. The UK suggested that OCHA give occasional briefings about the humanitarian situation to interested countries, and argued that the political process was going "backward" and that the Council should take up the issue again soon. China urged the UNSC to be "very cautious" about engaging on the political process and said it should focus on supporting Ban's efforts through his envoy Gambari. China expressed hope that ASEAN would play its role in supporting the process, but cautioned that there can be "no quick solution." Afghanistan: Getting Kai Eide Resources -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Welcoming the results achieved at the recent Paris conference on Afghanistan, Ban said he told Afghan President Karzai that success would be measured not by the amount of USUN NEW Y 00000559 004 OF 004 aid disbursed, but whether Afghanistan made progress in fighting corruption and eradicating drugs. Karzai reportedly pledged to focus on those issues, and Ban said that UN SRSG Kai Eide would help wherever possible, with a special focus on support for the elections in 2009-2010. He also said UNAMA would soon open four new sub-regional offices. Ban appealed for support of member states to harmonize UNAMA's service contract to ensure smooth operation of the mission and to maintain morale. With UNAMA's vacancy rate at 30 percent, Ban said it was necessary to offer UN staff extra benefits to entice them to serve in Afghanistan. Member states supported Ban's views on Afghanistan and pledged their full support for Kai Eide. West Africa: Reinforce Fragile Progress -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Reporting on his recent visit to West Africa, Ban warned Council members that the entire region faces major challenges from arms trafficking, drugs, terrorism, and climate change. These challenges could undermine recent gains in countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast. Ban said he had dispatched his envoys Menkerios and Egeland to work with these states to devise solutions and urged the international community to show increased political support for these countries and to adopt longer-term strategies rather than to try to put out fires when they erupt. Khalilzad