UNAMID: INSTRUCTIONS FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS STATE 014020 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SU KPKO PREL SUBJECT: UNAMID: INSTRUCTIONS FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ¶1. This is an action request. USUN is requested to draw from the following talking points for the 2/17 consultations on the UN-Africa Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Begin Talking Points: General: -The United States thanks the Secretary General for preparing this report on the deployment of UNAMID. -We continue to extend our appreciation to the UNAMID peacekeepers, who are braving a hazardous security environment to provide assistance to the embattled civilians of Darfur. Deployment: -The United States notes that UNAMID has now deployed 64 percent of its authorized military strength, as well as the Secretary General,s observation that the Government of Sudan,s cooperation has been important. We also note the contribution that the Tripartite Committee for the Deployment of UNAMID has made in increasing UNAMID,s deployment capability. -We are pleased that the United States has been able to help facilitate UNAMID,s deployment, most recently by providing air-bridge support for the movement of heavy logistics vehicles for the UNAMID Rwandan contingent, which was executed with excellent cooperation among the United States, the UN, and the Government of Sudan. -We are pleased to be continuing our cooperation through U.S. airlift assistance to help transport containers containing critical troop equipment from El Obeid and Nyala to El Geneina. -But the United States shares the Secretary General,s concern that UNAMID,s operational impact continues to be undermined by logistical constraints and an inadequate supply of critical equipment. We would appreciate a detailed list from the UN of what would be needed to make UNAMID troops already in the field more effective. -Furthermore, we are concerned that troop and police-contributing countries scheduled to deploy in 2009 are missing certain equipment and assets that they need to deploy in a timely fashion. We ask these countries to make transparent their needs to the UN and request the Friends of UNAMID to consider helping to close these gaps. We request that UN DPKO work swiftly with Troop Contributing Countries to carry out pre-deployment visits and other necessary steps as soon as possible, and where necessary to deploy UN personnel to TCCs to actively assist in their deployment preparations. Political Process: -The United States continues to fully support the efforts of the Joint United Nations-African Union Chief Mediator for Darfur, Djibril Bassole, to bring all parties in the Darfur conflict toward a peaceful resolution. -Mr. Bassole is working toward a cessation of hostilities and a Framework Agreement that establishes parameters for a final peace. We welcome the fact that the Government of Sudan and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) have taken a step towards peace by meeting in Doha and urge them to quickly reach a ceasefire agreement. -The United States is watching the progress of the Darfur discussions underway in Doha with great interest. Security and Cooperation: -The need for a mediated, vigorous peace process has only been accentuated by the January JEM attack on Muhajeriya and the Government of Sudan,s harsh response, including the use of aerial bombardments in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1591. The United States joins the Secretary General in condemning these actions. -We commend UNAMID for maintaining its commitment to assisting civilians in Muhajeriya. The restrictions on the movement of UNAMID personnel imposed by the Government of Sudan following the violence, in violation of its Status of Forces Agreement with the UN, are flatly unacceptable. UNAMID,s monitoring role is critical and must be respected. -We also remain concerned about the sections of the report that cite ongoing restrictions on humanitarian personnel imposed by the Government of Sudan. This is particularly troubling in light of the increased vulnerability and displacement of civilians in Darfur. Closing Observations: - We appreciate the UN,s follow-up work in providing a report on the August 25, 2008, Kalma Camp incident, which concluded that the Government of Sudan,s indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force violated international humanitarian law. Thirty-three civilians died, and 108 were wounded. -This episode only highlights the tragic consequences of this conflict and the urgency of the need for a peaceful solution. Questions to Ask: -The report notes that Ethiopia has pledged 5 helicopters. What further action is needed to deploy these helicopters? When will UNAMID be prepared to receive them? End Talking Points. CLINTON