SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS: COTE D'IVOIRE

UNCLAS STATE 104741 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO IC SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS: COTE D'IVOIRE REF: STATE 100175 ¶1. (U) The Security Council will hold consultations on Cote d'Ivoire on October 13. The Presidential Statement issued on September 29 (reftel) expressed the Council's concern about delays in preparations for the November 29 Ivorian elections, and stated the Council's intention to review the situation before October 15. USUN may draw on the points in paragraph 2 below. ¶2. (U) Begin points: --We thank Ambassador Choi for his briefing today, and again wish to express our appreciation for the continued dedication and hard work of the men and women of UNOCI. --The United States shares the frustration of our colleagues and, no doubt, of the Ivorian people in the continued delays in preparations for the presidential and parliamentary elections. --We urge the parties to observe the timeline for the elections and to take the steps necessary to hold nationwide elections that will demonstrate Cote d'Ivoire's respect for democracy and commitment to the peace process. --It is critical that the elections be open, free, fair, and transparent. They should mark the first step into the next phase of Cote d'Ivoire's history, one in which all Ivorians can participate in creating a free and prosperous society. --The United States notes, as we did in July, that the UN Mission in Liberia is drawing down and that its ability to supplement UNOCI's support for the elections will only be available until the end of February, at the latest. Time is running out. --As we are all aware, along with delays in preparing for the elections, there have been delays in demobilization and creation of mixed brigades. We would appreciate Ambassador Choi's comments on how this might affect security for the elections, and what alternatives are available. As I have said, UNMIL's support is available only for a limited time, at a level that has already been factored into the mission's drawdown schedule. --We appreciate the invaluable contribution that Licorne makes to peace and security in Cote d'Ivoire, and hope that it will continue to support UNOCI as necessary. --The United States would also like to express its concern about the recent reporting by the Sanctions Committee's Group of Experts that, despite some success, there are continuing violations of the arms embargo and diamond ban. Particularly when arms and diamonds are moving across borders, these violations pose a threat not only to Cote d'Ivoire but also to its neighbors. --Only a few weeks ago the Council made it clear that we are prepared to consider additional steps. The United States underlines that our goal and that of all Cote d'Ivoire's friends is that the elections be held, and that they meet the standards and aspirations of the people. CLINTON