UNSC SUDAN SANCTIONS COMMITTEE CONSULTATIONS 15

UNCLAS STATE 127702

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PINS PREL XW UNSC
SUBJECT: UNSC SUDAN SANCTIONS COMMITTEE CONSULTATIONS 15
DECEMBER


1. This is an action request. USUN may draw upon the points
in para 4 in the Council consultations regarding the UNSC
Sudan sanctions regime on 15 December.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE
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2. On 15 December, the Chairman of the Security Council
Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005)
concerning the Sudan ("the Sudan Sanctions Committee") will
brief the UN Security Council on the work of the Sudan
Sanctions Committee over the last 90 days in accordance with
paragraph 3(a)(iv) of resolution 1591 (2005). The Chairman
is expected to brief the UNSC on: the new Panel of Experts
(POE) being constituted pursuant to UNSCR 1891 (2009); the
new DPKO guidelines for enhanced cooperation and coordination
between peacekeeping missions and sanctions expert panels;
and interactions with the Sudanese Permanent Representative
regarding some of the POE's recommendations. China, Libya,
Turkey and Russia will likely criticize the POE report as
being unbalanced and not reflecting the progress on the
ground.


3. KEY OBJECTIVE: Express U.S. support for the independent
reporting of the sanctions committees' expert groups, which
play a key role in reporting on Member States' implementation
of the sanctions.

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TALKING POINTS
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4.
-- Thank you Ambassador Meyer-Harting for your leadership of
this important Committee. We deeply regret, however, that
this Committee has not been able to reach consensus on ways
to improve the implementation of the measures adopted by the
Council in its resolution 1591 (2005). I would like to make
three brief points:

-- First, the United States condemns the continued sexual and
gender based violence, blatant disregard for the arms embargo
by all parties to the conflict, and continued aerial bombings
as reported by the Panel of Experts. The U.S. Special Envoy
to Sudan has visited Darfur numerous times and raised the
issue of sexual and gender based violence with both the
Government of Sudan and UNAMID leadership. More must be done
by both these security actors within Darfur to provide
greater security in and around IDP camps where most of this
violence occurs. The continued environment of impunity in
Darfur and culture of fear that exists amongst the local
population to report these crimes is unacceptable. The
continued violations of the arms embargo by both the
government and Darfuri armed movements are extremely
problematic and violators of the arms embargo should be held
accountable. The continued aerial bombings reported by the
Panel also concern us. To this end, the United States calls
on all parties to the conflict to take all measures to
respect and protect the safety of the civilian population and
refrain from further attacks of any kind. We would also like
to highlight the Panel,s recognition of the Chad-Sudan
conflict as a key element to the situation in Darfur. We
believe that the UNSC should examine ways that it can further
support the easing of tensions between Chad and Sudan that
have contributed to the conflict.
-- Second, in light of the troubling situation in Sudan, it
is very unfortunate that the UN sanctions regime is not being
fully implemented. UN sanctions regime are an important
element of the international community's efforts to support
peace and security in Sudan. Consistent violations of the
arms embargo, increased cross border tensions, recruitment of
child soldiers contrary to international law, and use of
militarized civilian vehicles undercut political progress,
decrease UNAMID's effectiveness, and undermine stability.
Better implementation of the arms embargo, expanded by
resolution 1591 (2005),could significantly reduce the flow
of arms to all sides in the Darfur conflict. Also, better
use of the targeted measures could give peace mediators a
useful tool to marginalize spoilers. The Member States of
the Council should stand behind its previous decision, and
use all the tools at its disposal to work together in light
of our common goal to end the conflict in Sudan.

-- And, third, the United States emphasizes its strong
support for the Panel of Experts. We will continue to push
to safeguard the independence and freedom of movement of this
Panel and is members, as well as the other UN sanctions
committees' expert panels and members. Certainly, there are
times when Governments may not fully agree with the findings
of the Panel of Experts. However, we must work together to
preserve the valuable role of these expert groups, which for
a decade have helped the Council monitor the implementation
of its decisions. We are troubled by reports that some
Member States do not work with the Sudan Panel of Experts and
then criticize the Panel for a "lack of evidence." All
parties, including the UN Secretariat and UN field missions,
should consider ways to support more fully the Panel's work.
We are pleased that DPKO has introduced guidelines governing
its relationship with the Panel of Experts, which we expect
will improve information sharing and cooperation.

END TALKING POINTS.


5. Department appreciates Mission's efforts.
CLINTON