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