Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE127339
2009-12-12 00:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

CAR: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR DECEMBER 15 UNSC

Tags:  CT PREL PGOV PHUM PINR 
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VZCZCXRO4299
OO RUEHGI
DE RUEHC #7339/01 3460052
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 120051Z DEC 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9049
INFO RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI PRIORITY 1517
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

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