USUN TALKING POINTS FOR MINURCAT CONSULTATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 039198

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KPKO CD CT
SUBJECT: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR MINURCAT CONSULTATIONS


1. This is an action request. USUN is requested to draw
from the points in paragraph 2 during consultations in the
Security Council on the UN Mission in the Central African
Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) scheduled for April 24, 2008.


2. Begin Points

We would like to thank SRSG Victor Angelo for his leadership
and efforts in ensuring a smooth transition from EUFOR to the
UN-commanded military presence, and we thank those EUFOR
troop contributing countries that agreed to stay on and
participate in the UN mission. We further recognize the
Government of Chad for its support and cooperation with the
UN and EUFOR and in ensuring a smooth transition to the new
force. We also express our condolences to EUFOR, MINURCAT,
and the Government of Chad for the recent unfortunate deaths
within the mission community.

The United States applauds the efforts of DPKO in obtaining
troop contributions for MINURCAT, but recognizes additional
efforts are needed to ensure the timely arrival of both
troops and equipment. For our part, the United States will
continue to provide equip-and-train support to deploying
African contingents. We are particularly concerned about the
deficit in air assets. We encourage DPKO to approach
potential contributors immediately and we encourage troop
contributing countries to consider making a pledge for
helicopters. Given the mandate, area of responsibility, and
difficult terrain, sufficient air assets are critical to
ensure mission mandates are successfully met.

Chad is the country most impacted by the Darfur crisis, and
the United States is deeply concerned by the deteriorating
relationship between Chad and the Sudan. A durable regional
peace cannot be achieved or sustained without normalized
relations between the two countries. We believe Chad and
Sudan, with the assistance of regional actors such as Egypt,
Libya, and the Dakar Contact Group, must continue meaningful
dialogue aimed at improving relations between the two
countries, reinvigorating the Dakar Agreement, and ceasing
all support to armed groups seeking to destabilize either of
the two, and we encourage MINURCAT, within its capabilities
and mandate, to support these efforts.

While we are pleased that all 850 Chadian special police, the
Dtachement Integr de Securit (DIS),have been trained by
the UN, we are troubled by reports of misconduct by some
members of the DIS. We emphasize that those charged with the
protection of Chad,s most vulnerable citizens must exhibit
behavior beyond reproach in carrying out their duties. We
urge the UN to engage with Chadian authorities to implement
mechanisms to provide ongoing training to DIS elements on
proper conduct, and to assist Chadian authorities in
investigating allegations of DIS misconduct. Given the
international community's substantial political and financial
investment in the DIS through the Trust Fund, the UN must be
more assertive in demanding - and the DIS more responsive in
assuring - swift but just corrective action in cases of
established misconduct. We also encourage the DIS to work
more closely with the humanitarian organization to establish
best practices to improve cooperation and the overall
security conditions in all areas where they operate.

Stop-gap measures to address the reduction in humanitarian
assistance in Sudan caused by the recent expulsions of
non-governmental organizations will not fully address the
assistance needs in Darfur. There is a strong potential that
Chad could see an influx of refugees seeking assistance.
Recognizing that both Chad and CAR already host large numbers
of refugees and internally displaced persons, the United
States requests MINURCAT be prepared to implement contingency
plans, in cooperation with the Government of Chad and UNHCR,
to help the humanitarian community address new demands for
assistance caused by an increase in the refugee population.
MINURCAT should seek to improve coordination of humanitarian
and MINURCAT activities in order to secure humanitarian space
and help facilitate a more efficient delivery of assistance
when and where needed.

Finally, we are troubled by reports of increasing tribal and
other violence in Chad and its effects on the civilian
population. Also, banditry, sexual violence against women,
and child recruitment are issues of continuing concern. We
emphasize the need for full DIS deployment and frequent DIS
patrols in and around displaced person and refugee camps. We
are also concerned about the insecurity in northern CAR
resulting from clashes between government forces and rebels,

STATE 00039198 002 OF 002


which has reduced humanitarian access in the area. This
violence has led to an increase in displaced persons, and
UNHCR has estimated that 16,000 new CAR refugees have arrived
in Chad. We encourage MINURCAT, working in cooperation and
coordination with the Government of Chad and the
peacebuilding office in CAR, to continue providing support in
developing and strengthening the rule of law and judicial
infrastructure within Chad and CAR.

Thank you.
CLINTON