WESTERN SAHARA: USUN VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND EOV

UNCLAS STATE 043724 SIPDIS, GENEVA FOR RMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM KPKO AG MO WI XA XY SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: USUN VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND EOV ON MINURSO MANDATE RENEWAL REF: A. STATE 37154 ¶B. STATE 37840 ¶1. This is an action request, see paragraph two. ¶2. ACTION REQUEST: On April 30, 2009, the UN Security Council will vote on a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). USUN is authorized to vote in support of the resolution, included in paragraph three, and draw from the points in paragraph four in delivering the U.S. Explanation of Vote (EOV). USUN should refer any substantive changes to the text of the resolution to the Department. ¶3. BEGIN TEXT OF RESOLUTION: The Security Council, Recalling all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara, Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to implement resolutions 1754 (2007),1783 (2007) and 1813 (2008), Reaffirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect, Reiterating its call upon the parties and States of the region to continue to cooperate fully with the United Nations and with each other to end the current impasse and to achieve progress towards a political solution, Taking note of the Moroccan proposal presented on 11 April 2007 to the Secretary-General and welcoming serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards resolution; also taking note of the Polisario Front proposal presented 10 April 2007 to the Secretary- General, Taking note of the four rounds of negotiations held under the auspices of the Secretary-General, and welcoming the progress made by the parties to enter into direct negotiations, Welcoming the agreement of the parties expressed in the Communiqu, of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary- General for Western Sahara of 18 March 2008 to explore the establishment of family visits by land, which would be in addition to the existing programme by air, and encouraging them to do so in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Stressing the importance of making progress on the humanitarian dimension of the conflict as a means to promote transparency and mutual confidence through constructive dialogue and humanitarian confidence- building measures, Welcoming the commitment of the parties to continue the process of negotiations through United Nations-sponsored talks, Noting the Secretary-General's view that the consolidation of the status quo is not an acceptable outcome of the current process of negotiations, and noting further that progress in the negotiations will have a positive impact on the quality of life of the people of Western Sahara in all its aspects, Welcoming the appointment of the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara Ambassador Christopher Ross, and also welcoming his recent visit to the region and ongoing consultations with the parties, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 13 April 2009 (S/2009/200), ¶1. Reaffirms the need for full respect of the military agreements reached with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with regard to the ceasefire; ¶2. Welcomes the parties' agreement with the Personal Envoy's suggestion to hold small, informal talks in preparation for a fifth round of negotiations, and recalls its endorsement of the previous report's recommendation that realism and a spirit of compromise by the parties are essential to achieve progress in negotiations; ¶3. Calls upon the parties to continue to show political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to enter into a more intensive and substantive phase of negotiations, thus ensuring implementation of resolutions 1754 (2007),1783 (2007) and 1813 (2008) and the success of negotiations; and affirms its strong support for the commitment of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy towards a solution to the question of Western Sahara in this context; ¶4. Calls upon the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith, taking into account the efforts made since 2006 and subsequent developments, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect; ¶5. Invites Member States to lend appropriate assistance to these talks; ¶6. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security Council informed on a regular basis on the status and progress of these negotiations under his auspices and expresses its intention to meet to receive and discuss his report; ¶7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide a report on the situation in Western Sahara well before the end of the mandate period; ¶8. Urges Member States to provide voluntary contributions to fund confidence- building measures that allow for increased contact between separated family members, especially family visits, as well as for other confidence-building measures that may be agreed between parties; ¶9. Decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 30 April 2010; ¶10. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance in MINURSO with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including pre-deployment awareness training, and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel; ¶11. Decides to remain seized of the matter. END RESOLUTION. ¶4. BEGIN U.S. EXPLANATION OF VOTE: -- The United States fully supports the Secretary-General and Ambassador Ross in their efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, mutually-agreed solution to the Western Sahara conflict. -- This conflict has gone on too long, and it, as well as poor relations between Morocco and Algeria, has prevented regional cooperation on urgent and emergent issues facing North Africa. -- We welcome the appointment of Ambassador Chris Ross to serve as the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the Western Sahara. Ambassador Ross is a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in the region. He has our full support. -- We welcome the fact that, during Ambassador Ross' recent trip to the region, all of his interlocutors confirmed their commitment to cooperate with the United Nations to reach a solution to the Western Sahara conflict as soon as possible. -- We concur with Ambassador Ross' assessment that informal preparatory talks may help pave the way for more substantive formal talks. We are glad the parties have agreed to meet informally. We encourage all involved to come to the table without preconditions. -- Given 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. END U.S. EXPLANATION OF VOTE. CLINTON