USUN INSTRUCTION: UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON MINURSO

UNCLAS STATE 037840


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC SIPDIS
SUBJECT: USUN INSTRUCTION: UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON MINURSO


1. As requested by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1813
(2008),the Secretary-General issued a report on April 14,
2009, on the situation concerning the Western Sahara. The
report covers developments since the Secretary-General's last
report, issued April 14, 2008. The Secretary-General's
Personal Envoy for the Western Sahara, Ambassador Chris Ross,
will brief the Council on the details of the report in closed
consultations on April 22, 2009. USUN should draw from the
points included in paragraph two, as appropriate, and provide
a readout of the session.


2. BEGIN POINTS:

-- The United States thanks Ambassador Ross for his briefing
today and commends Ambassador Ross, DPKO, and MINURSO for
their continued efforts in the Western Sahara.

-- The United States supports the Secretary-General and
Ambassador Ross in their efforts, as embodied in the
observations and recommendations in this report, to find a
peaceful, sustainable solution to the long-standing dispute
in the Western Sahara, and urge other members of the Council
to do the same.

-- In particular, we welcome the fact that, during Ambassador
Ross' trip to the region, the parties confirmed their
commitment to cooperate with the United Nations to reach a
solution to the Western Sahara as soon as possible.

-- We strongly support the Secretary-General's recommendation
for the Personal Envoy to hold small, informal preparatory
meetings with the parties. We also concur with the need for
the Council to reiterate its call upon the parties to
negotiate in good faith, without any preconditions, and to
show political will to enter into substantive discussions.

-- Considering the current situation on the ground and
Ambassador Ross' continuing efforts, we agree the presence of
MINURSO remains indispensable and support renewing MINURSO's
mandate for another 12 months.

QUESTION:

-- What is the status of DPKO's efforts to replace MINURSO
Special Representative for the Secretary General (SRSG)
Julian Harston?

END POINTS


CLINTON