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