GEORGIA - GUIDANCE FOR FEBRUARY 10 SECURITY

UNCLAS STATE 011916 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA - GUIDANCE FOR FEBRUARY 10 SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS REF: STATE 6467 ¶1. (U) This is an action request: USUN is instructed to draw from the points below during the UN Security Council consultations on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia scheduled for February 10, 2009. ¶2. (U) Begin points: -- The United States would like to thank the Secretary General for his report on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia and for his other efforts to address the conflict in Georgia. -- The United States would also like to thank Special Representative Verbeke for his briefing today and for his effective work as an arbiter and strategic thinker as we continue to work towards a comprehensive and durable resolution of the conflict in the separatist regions of Georgia. -- The United States welcomes the Secretary General,s recommendation for a continued UN presence in Abkhazia, Georgia and his call for the establishment of a comprehensive new mandate for a future UN mission in Georgia. -- An international presence in Georgia is important and the UN should continue to play a critical role in monitoring the parties to the conflict. By permitting the current UN mission to continue its work, we avoid de-stabilizing the region as the international community works to develop a new mandate for the mission. Over the next four months, we must design a mandate that will address security, stability, and humanitarian concerns, including the rights of the internally displaced persons who tragically still cannot return to their homes because the security situation remains unsettled. -- The conflict in Georgia is not resolved and the security situation remains tenuous. Within the UN mission's current area of responsibility alone, crime is on the rise, shootings on both side of the ceasefire line are a common occurrence and the buildup of heavy artillery on the northern side of the ceasefire line continues unabated. Several Georgian policemen have been killed by high-caliber sniper rifles and local populations on the Abkhaz side are routinely harassed by Abkhaz and Russian security forces. Russian forces still have not withdrawn to pre-August 7 positions as called for under the August 12 and September 8 ceasefire agreements. To the contrary, they continue to build permanent stations, some with heavy artillery, in the conflict zone. The potential for serious escalation remains high. The safety and security 
of international monitors also remain at risk. -- To best address the security situation and provide transparency to all parties, the future UN mission mandate should include responsibility for monitoring security zones that cover both sides of the ceasefire line and weapons restricted zones. Full access and freedom of movement for international monitors, in consultation with local authorities, should also be explicit in the revised mandate. The mission,s mandate should be tied to the August 12 and September 8 ceasefire agreements, which the United States fully endorses. -- Communication among all monitors and security forces must also be enhanced. While the current UN mission has good communication with the local population where it is permitted to patrol, improved communication between the Mission and the parties to the conflict is critical. We would like to highlight the recent MOU signed by the EUMM and Government of Georgia on notification of troop movements as a practical example that Abkhaz and Russian forces could emulate. -- Our reports indicate that an international presence such as the UN, EUMM and OSCE has helped to reassure the local population with regard to their safety and security. Humanitarian concerns, however, are of paramount importance. We continue to receive credible reports of human rights violations, and an ability to investigate these reports should be an integral part of the UN mission. We must also do better with regard to facilitating the safe and dignified return of IDPs. As with security components of the UN mission, unfettered access for humanitarian activities is critical. Humanitarian reports underscore this urgent need. -- The United States looks forward to participating in Geneva talks when they resume next week (February 17-18). We remain hopeful that the talks will produce practical results, and echo the call of the Secretary General for the parties to intensify their efforts and to make constructive progress on security, stability and humanitarian issues. The Geneva Process is the appropriate forum for Georgia, Russia, separatist Abkhazia and separatist South Ossetia - the parties to this conflict - to work together on these and other issues. -- IF RAISED: A Security Council meeting is not the appropriate venue to hear from the separatists. Last August the Council "heard no objection against considering with an open mind the request by South Ossetia and Abkhazia (de facto leaders) to be heard by the Council at an opportune moment and under a formula to be decided." The United States continues to believe that the opportune moment and formulation for separatist leader participation in talks regarding the conflict in Georgia is via the Geneva Process. -- Above all, the civilians of the region continue to be the victims in this conflict. Their futures depend on our ability to act effectively now. We must commit ourselves to hasten the pace of negotiations and to reach a comprehensive and durable resolution that addresses the needs of those affected by the conflict and also protects Georgia,s territorial integrity. -- Thank you. CLINTON