CAR: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR DECEMBER 15 UNSC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 127339 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CT PREL PGOV PHUM PINR SUBJECT: CAR: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR DECEMBER 15 UNSC CONSULTATIONS ¶1. This is an action request. USUN should draw from the statement in paragraph 2 for the UN Security Council consultations on the Central African Republic (CAR) on December 15. End action request. ¶2. Begin statement: Special Representative Zewde (Zow-day),thank you for your briefing to the Council today. The U.S. Government fully supports BONUCA as the voice of the international community in CAR. We recognize the progress made in the Central African Republic, but this is a critical juncture for CAR. Despite some progress in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR),there are many remaining security challenges. The constitution requires elections to take place before June 2010 and the plans for a first round of voting in late April leaves the country with little time to organize and hold the ballot. As BONUCA transitions to an Integrated Peacebuilding Office (BINUCA),the need for better coordination among UN offices in the region has never been greater. I,d like to briefly discuss three issues: security challenges, elections, and DDR. Security Challenges Despite the considerable work of the UN to achieve the Inclusive Political Dialogue in 2008, new outbreaks of rebel activity and inter-ethnic violence, by new groups, continue in the CAR. CAR,s inability to control territory along its borders with Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sudan underscores the tenuous nature of peace in the region. The increase in IDPs and refugees resulting from this lack of security requires UN agencies to increase their regional cooperation. We support greater cooperation among UN missions in the region -- both peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The return of the Lord,s Resistance Army to the CAR underscores this need. Elections Time is short. If elections are to take place in April, the necessary technical preparations must be completed and an enabling environment must be in place to support peaceful and credible elections. We support BONUCA and UNDP,s efforts in this regard. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) The DDR process is moving forward. We are concerned, however, that with many different sources of funding and ideas about planning, there has been insufficient coordination of efforts. We look to BONUCA to foster cohesion, coordination, transparency and accountability for all stakeholders involved in DDR, particularly by holding the CARG accountable for the $18 million in Central African and Monetary Community (CEMAC) funds that was provided for DDR. A timely start is essential. We are concerned by reports that one key rebel faction has withdrawn from the DDR program, as well as reports that two days ago, ex-combatants turned away a delegation from the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) because they were frustrated with delays in implementing DDR. We further note that there are several new armed groups that have never joined the peace process. Sustained DDR depends on a comprehensive approach. Careful planning needs to link and synchronize employment programs such as road construction ) part of the reintegration phase - with the disarmament and demobilization phases of DDR. BONUCA must continue to encourage the CARG to accept its responsibility for the development of the nation. Conclusion/Transition to BINUCA We look forward to the establishment of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in CAR (BINUCA). We hope that this integration will promote development of one coherent peacebuilding strategy, as all the issues we,ve discussed today are interrelated and none can be addressed in isolation. Possible Questions to Ask STATE 00127339 002 OF 002 In your view, will elections be technically possible in the constitutionally mandated March/April timeframe? What additional efforts are needed now to make elections possible in the second quarter of next year? What are your thoughts on the pace of DDR and what can be done to improve coordination between the CAR and its international partners? How will the transition to BINUCA provide you with the necessary tools to pull together the UN country team, CAR,s partners, and other stakeholders in support of national peacebuilding? What percentage of individual cases of abuse by the CAR security forces have been closed by BONUCA or considered adequately resolved after BONUCA has raised these cases with the CAR,s national prosecutor? CLINTON