VOTING INSTRUCTION: ISAF RENEWAL RESOLUTION

UNCLAS STATE 104740

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL NATO AF
SUBJECT: VOTING INSTRUCTION: ISAF RENEWAL RESOLUTION


1. (U) This is an action request: The Department instructs
USUN to vote in favor of the UN Security Council resolution
in paragraph 2 regarding the International Assistance Force
in Afghanistan on OCTOBER 8, 2009. USUN is authorized to
provide U.S. co-sponsorship of the resolution. Post should
seek additional guidance from the Department if there are any
additional substantive changes to the resolution text.


2. (U) Begin text:

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in
particular its resolutions 1386 (2001),1510 (2003),1833
(2008) and 1868 (2009),

Reaffirming also its resolutions 1267 (1999),1368 (2001),
1373 (2001) and 1822 (2008),and reiterating its support for
international efforts to root out terrorism in accordance
with the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling its resolutions 1265 (1999),1296 (2000),1674
(2006) and 1738 (2006) on the protection of civilians in
armed conflict, its resolutions 1325 (2000),1820 (2008),
1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009) on women and peace and security,
and its resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009) on children
and armed conflict,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty,
independence, territorial integrity and national unity of
Afghanistan,

Recognizing that the responsibility for providing security
and law and order throughout the country resides with the
Afghan Authorities, stressing the role of the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in assisting the Afghan
Government to improve the security situation and welcoming
the cooperation of the Afghan Government with ISAF,

Recognizing once again the interconnected nature of the
challenges in Afghanistan, reaffirming that sustainable
progress on security, governance and development, as well as
the cross-cutting issue of counter-narcotics is mutually
reinforcing and welcoming the continuing efforts of the
Afghan Government and the international community to address
these challenges through a comprehensive approach,

Stressing in this context the need for further efforts by the
Afghan Government to fight corruption, promote transparency
and increase its accountability,

Stressing the central and impartial role that the United
Nations continues to play in promoting peace and stability in
Afghanistan by leading the efforts of the international
community, noting, in this context, the synergies in the
objectives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan (UNAMA) and of ISAF, and stressing the need for
strengthened cooperation, coordination and mutual support,
taking due account of their respective designated
responsibilities,

Expressing its strong concern about the security situation in
Afghanistan, in particular the increased violent and
terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, illegally
armed groups, criminals and those involved in the narcotics
trade, and the increasingly strong links between terrorism
activities and illicit drugs, resulting in threats to the
local population, including children, national security
forces and international military and civilian personnel,

Encouraging ISAF to further, effectively support, within its
designated responsibilities, Afghan-led sustained efforts to
address, in cooperation with relevant international and
regional actors, the threat posed by the illicit production
of and trafficking in drugs, and recognizing the important
role played by the UNODC in fighting the negative impact of
drug production and trade on security and stability in the
region,

Expressing also its concern over the harmful consequences of
violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and
other extremist groups on the capacity of the Afghan
Government to guarantee the rule of law, to provide security
and basic services to the Afghan people, and to ensure the
full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental
freedoms,

Reiterating its support for the continuing endeavours by the
Afghan Government, with the assistance of the international
community, including ISAF and the Operation Enduring Freedom
(OEF) coalition, to improve the security situation and to
continue to address the threat posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida
and other extremist groups, and stressing in this context the
need for sustained international efforts, including those of
ISAF and the OEF coalition,

Condemning in the strongest terms all attacks, including
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks, suicide attacks
and abductions, targeting civilians and Afghan and
international forces and their deleterious effect on the
stabilization, reconstruction and development efforts in
Afghanistan, and condemning further the use by the Taliban,
Al-Qaida and other extremist groups of civilians as human
shields,

Recognizing the increased threats posed by the Taliban,
Al-Qaida and other extremist groups as well as the challenges
related to the efforts to address such threats, expressing
its serious concern with the high number of civilian
casualties in this context, and calling for compliance with
international humanitarian and human rights law and for all
appropriate measures to be taken to ensure the protection of
civilians,

Recognizing additional efforts taken by ISAF and other
international forces to minimize the risk of civilian
casualties, welcoming their intention to undertake continued
enhanced efforts in this regard including the increased focus
on protecting the Afghan population as a central element of
the mission, and noting the importance of conducting
continuous reviews of tactics and procedures and after-action
reviews and investigations in cooperation with the Afghan
Government in cases where civilian casualties have occurred
and when the Afghan Government finds these joint
investigations appropriate,

Acknowledging the progress made in security sector reform,
welcoming supports provided by the international partners in
this regard, in particular the establishment of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Training Mission in
Afghanistan, the planned European Gendarmerie Force (EGF)
contribution to this mission and assistance extended to the
Afghan National Police including through the European Union
police mission (EUPOL Afghanistan),and stressing the need
for Afghanistan together with international donors to further
strengthen the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National
Police, and increase its efforts in disbandment of illegal
armed groups, and counter narcotics,

Stressing in this context the importance of further progress
by the Afghan Government in ending impunity and strengthening
judicial institutions, the rule of law and respect for human
rights within Afghanistan, including for women and girls and
in the reconstruction and reform of the prison sector in
Afghanistan,

Reiterating its call on all Afghan parties and groups to
engage constructively in peaceful political dialogue within
the framework of the Afghan Constitution and to work together
with international donors for the socio-economic development
of the country and to avoid resorting to violence including
through the use of illegal armed groups, and encouraging the
implementation of the Afghan Government-led reintegration and
reconciliation programmes within the framework of the Afghan
Constitution and with full respect of the implementation of
measures introduced by the Security Council in its resolution
1267 (1999) and other relevant resolutions of the Council,

Noting the leading role played by the Afghan Authorities in
organizing the 2009 presidential and provincial council
elections, and the support of the United Nations and ISAF
and recognizing the need for timely and orderly preparations
for the 2010 elections and for the international support in
this regard,

Recognizing the importance of the contribution of
neighbouring and regional partners as well as regional
organizations to the stabilization of Afghanistan, stressing
the crucial importance of advancing regional cooperation as
an effective means to promote security, governance and
development in Afghanistan and welcoming the regional efforts
in this regard,

Welcoming the continued coordination between ISAF and the OEF
coalition, and the cooperation established between ISAF and
the European Union presence in Afghanistan,

Expressing its appreciation for the leadership provided by
NATO, and for the contributions of many nations to ISAF and
to the OEF coalition, including its maritime interdiction
component, which operates within the framework of the
counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and in accordance
with the applicable rules of international law,

Determining that the situation in Afghanistan still
constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

Determined to ensure the full implementation of the mandate
of ISAF, in coordination with the Afghan Government,

Acting for these reasons under Chapter VII of the Charter of
the United Nations,


1. Decides to extend the authorization of the International
Security Assistance Force, as defined in resolution 1386
(2001) and 1510 (2003),for a period of twelve months beyond
13 OCTOBER 2009;


2. Authorizes the Member States participating in ISAF to take
all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate;


3. Recognizes the need to further strengthen ISAF to meet all
its operational requirements, and in this regard calls upon
Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other
resources to ISAF;


4. Stresses the importance of increasing, in a comprehensive
framework, the functionality, professionalism and
accountability of the Afghan security sector, encourages ISAF
and other partners to sustain their efforts, as resources
permit, to train, mentor and empower the Afghan national
security forces, in order to accelerate progress towards the
goal of self-sufficient, accountable and ethnically balanced
Afghan security forces providing security and ensuring the
rule of law throughout the country, welcomes the increasing
leadership role played by the Afghan Authorities in security
responsibilities throughout the country, and stresses the
importance of supporting the planned expansion of the Afghan
National Army and the Afghan National Police;


5. Calls upon ISAF to continue to work in close consultation
with the Afghan Government and the Special Representative of
the Secretary-General as well as with the OEF coalition in
the implementation of the force mandate;


6. Requests the leadership of ISAF to keep the Security
Council regularly informed, through the Secretary-General, on
the implementation of its mandate, including through the
provision of quarterly reports;


7. Decides to remain actively seized of this matter.

End text.
CLINTON