GUINEA-BISSAU: UNSC CONSULTATIONS APRIL 2

UNCLAS STATE 032283

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SNAR PU XA XY
SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: UNSC CONSULTATIONS APRIL 2


1. (U) This is an action request. USUN may draw from the
talking points in para 2 during the UN Security Council
consultations on Guinea-Bissau April 8.


2. Begin Statement:

-- First, the United States welcomes the successful
transition in Guinea-Bissau to Parliament Speaker Raimundo
Pereira, the constitutional successor to the late President
Joao Nino Vieira. We congratulate Guinea-Bissau for adhering
to its constitution under extraordinary circumstances.

-- The United States supports the interim president and
encourages the government of Guinea-Bissau to continue to
work within its democratic institutions to pave a peaceful
path forward.

-- We urge the Government of Guinea-Bissau, military and all
political parties to respect the rule of law and ensure the
safety of all Bissau-Guineans. The two assassinations
clearly identify the urgent need to reform the justice,
defense and security sectors of Guinea-Bissau.

-- The United States notes that Guinea-Bissau has set June 28
for presidential election, 120 days vice the 60 days required
in the constitution. We understand that this had the support
of all the parties, and that Guinea-Bissau would have been
hard pressed to hold good elections in 60 days.

-- While the elections are significant in moving the country
forward peacefully, we recognize the importance of Security
Sector Reform (SSR) in Guinea-Bissau. The U.S. encourages
the implementation of the SSR Program that will ensure
effective security and justice reforms.

-- As reported in the Secretary General reports, drug
trafficking activities in Guinea-Bissau are at risk of
escalation. We remain concerned about the possible link
between high ranking national officials and these activities.
We are encouraged though by the promise of the new
government to vigorously combat drug trafficking and
transnational organized crimes. Allowing these activities to
persist will only deepen the threat to peace and security in
Guinea-Bissau and in the sub-region.

-- The United States was heartened to learn the cholera
epidemic was declared over. It will be critical to develop a
strong strategic plan to prevent and control future
epidemics. We encourage the establishment of an
inter-ministerial emergency preparedness and response
mechanism to this regard.

-- We join with the Secretary General in calling for
political actors to put aside personal ambition to work
collaboratively toward improving conditions for all those in
Guinea-Bissau. With the tragic events of March, it is time
for the country to move forward and create a path to
stability and opportunity.


Questions:

n What were the critical findings of the various reviews
conducted on SSR? Have the terms of reference for the
international Security Sector Advisory Team been commissioned
into action? How does the ECOWAS roadmap differ?
n How much progress has been made in organizing
elections? What is the donor community doing to assist at
this point?
CLINTON