GUINEA-BISSAU: UNSC CONSULTATIONS NOVEMBER 5

UNCLAS STATE 113010

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SNAR PU XA XY
SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: UNSC CONSULTATIONS NOVEMBER 5


1. (U) This is an action request. USUN may draw from the
talking points in para 2 during the UN Security Council
consultations on Guinea-Bissau November 5.


2. Begin points:

--Key Objective: Reiterate our position that security sector
reform (SSR) and counternarcotics work are paramount to
Guinea-Bissau's stability.

--Other Objectives: Express support for UNOGBIS's overall
efforts; and push for specifics on the UNOGBIS transition
planned for January 1.

-- The United States thanks SRSG Mutaboba for his briefing.

-- We welcome the relatively stable situation in
Guinea-Bissau. We are encouraged by the June 28 presidential
elections that transpired without major incident.

-- Newly elected President, Malam Bacai Sanha, and Prime
Minister, Carlos Gomes, Jr. have both expressed to the U.S.
that conditions are in place for positive change in general
and security sector reform (SSR) in particular. We hope this
momentum is captured and Guinea-Bissau can move the necessary
reforms forward.

-- We welcome President Sahna's declaration that his
administration will promote national peace and solidarity
after decades of coups d'etat civil war, assassinations,
other political violence and impunity.

-- The government of Guinea-Bissau needs to ensure that those
responsible for the March assassinations of former President
Vieira and former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Tagme Na Wai,
as well as the assassinations of a member of parliament and a
presidential candidate in June are identified and held
accountable.

-- We thank Mr. Mutaboba for his vigilance in fighting
impunity in Guinea-Bissau.

-- The United States plans to re-open a Mission in Bissau by
FY2011. We have urged the Government of Guinea-Bissau to
establish a presence in Washington, D.C. or dual-accredit in
New York.

-- We appreciate SRSG Mutaboba's efforts to convene donors to
discuss SSR. We would be interested in knowing how the
EU-SSR mission plans to continue support SSR in
Guinea-Bissau. We endorse the recommendation by the EU-SSR
project to make payment of pensions to retire at least 1,500
officers (1/3 of its military). Coming to agreement on a
reduction of forces, early retirement options, and pensions
plans will be the key elements to move the make tangible
progress on reforms.

-- We would note that the national defense reform plan
adopted by the National Popular Assembly in 2007 should serve
as the basis of SSR; we urge partner countries and
institutions and the government of Guinea-Bissau not to lose
time and momentum by starting over. Proper coordination of
the efforts and contributions of international aid partners
and international institutions will be key to successful
implementation of SSR.

-- We would be interested in learning whether member state
support is needed to ensure SSR continues moving forward and
does not slide backward.

-- We remain extremely concerned about drug trafficking in
West Africa and particularly concerned by the
Secretary-General's reporting of new clandestine laboratories
producing cocaine, heroin and ecstasy in neighboring Guinea.
The United States is funding a prosecutorial advisor to help
the Government of Guinea-Bissau build capacity in its
criminal justice sector against narcotics/human trafficking.
Narcotics trafficking must be tackled on a country-by-country
basis through a coordinated regional approach. We believe
ECOWAS should be encouraged and supported to take the lead.

-- We are equally troubled by accounts that there is a
significant lack of control for crossborder movement around
Guinea-Bissau. We would welcome an update on UNOGBIS's work
with the West Africa Coast Initiative, and on your mission's
work with UNODC.

-- We support UNOGBIS's regional approach to fighting crime
and helping end narco-trafficking in the region.

-- We welcome early steps being taken to establish the
Integrated United Nations Peacebuilding Office for
Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS). We are curious to know the status
of hiring for the mission and any roadblocks preventing
progress in identifying solid candidates.

-- The United States supports the work of UNOGBIS to
transition to an integrated peacebuilding office. We note
that marshaling all UN entities in the field for an effective
peacebuilding mission helps to ensure continued stability,
and helps to prevent a relapse into conflict.

-- We appreciate Brazil's work as Chair of the Peacebuilding
Commission's Guinea-Bissau configuration and welcome the
Commission's continued engagement with Guinea-Bissau to
devise realistic and relevant programs to support the
country's stability.

Questions:
-- What is the status on the Commission of Inquiry which was
established to investigate the March 2009
assassinations of former President Vieira and former Army
Chief of Staff Na Wai? We understand that UNOGBIS, ECOWAS,
and national bodies are collaborating to assist the
commission. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations has
already provided some technical assistance to the commission
of inquiry and we encourage all partner countries to do what
they can to aide in the investigation.

-- What can be done to protect witnesses associated with the
Commission of Inquiry's work?

-- What is the hiring status for UNIOGBIS personnel? How many
staff have been hired, and how many do you expect to hire?
Will you have all that you need to ensure the mission is
staffed adequately?

-- Do you have an update from your meetings this week on
UNIOGBIS budgetary issues?

-- What is the status of the Peacebuilding Commission's
Strategic Framework and Priority Plan? What is a realistic
scenario for continued Commission engagement with
Guinea-Bissau?
CLINTON