CHAD: TALKING POINTS AND VOTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR

UNCLAS STATE 047188 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SU CD XA ZF SUBJECT: CHAD: TALKING POINTS AND VOTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAY 8 "EMERGENCY SESSION" ¶1. USUN is instructed to seek the changes in paragraph 2 to the French drafted PRST (paragraph 3) on the Chadian rebel incursion from Sudan into Chad. USUN may delivery the statement in paragraph 4, if the May 8 "emergency session" is open. USUN may draw from the talking points in paragraph 5, if the "emergency session" is in closed chambers. ¶2. USUN is authorized to vote in favor of the French drafted PRST as is, if necessary, but should also seek the following changes to the PRST: -- Paragraph 3, first line, change "pacify" to "normalize." -- Paragraph 3, first line, add "Chadian and Sudanese" before armed groups. -- Paragraph 4, change typo in the title of MINURCAT to accurately reflect its name. ¶3. Begin French text of PRST: The Security Council expresses its serious concern at the renewed military activity in eastern Chad of Chadian armed groups supported from outside the country and coming from Sudan. The Security Council condemns this activity and stresses that any attempt at destabilization of Chad by force is unacceptable. It recalls the terms of the declaration of its president dated of 4 February 2008 (S/PRST/2008/3). It reiterates its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political independence of Chad. It demands that rebel armed groups cease violence immediately and calls on them to engage dialogue in the framework of the Sirte agreement of 25 October 2007. The Security Council calls on Sudan and Chad to respect their mutual commitments, in particular in the Doha Agreement of 3 May 2009, to pacify their relations and cooperate to put an end to cross-border activities of armed groups. The Council expresses its concern at the cooperation between elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Chadian armed groups, as reported by the last Secretary General's report on UNAMID S/2009/201, and calls for an immediate end to such support. The Security Council reiterates its full support for the United Nations Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT),which is mandated to contribute to protect vulnerable civilians including refugees and internally displaced persons, to protect United Nations and associated personnel and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Security Council calls on all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular to respect the security of civilians, humanitarian workers and United Nations personnel. ¶4. Begin statement for open "emergency session": Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank A/S Mulet for his comments and for coming to brief the Council on short notice. Mr. Mulet's description of the situation in Chad is most worrisome. Like other members of the Council, the United States condemns current attacks by Chadian rebels coming across the border from Sudan. Mr. President, we regret that the Governments of Chad and Sudan continue to support expatriate rebels in a "proxy war" against each other. We call on the Governments of both Chad and Sudan to disarm and demobilize these rebels and to stop supporting them. There are reports that the Chadian rebels have sustained heavy casualties and their ability to continue fighting is in question. Still, we call on any remaining Chadian rebels to desist from all offensive operations, to renounce violence, and to enter into negotiations with the Government of Chad to re-enter Chadian society. We call on the Government of Sudan to disarm any Chad rebels that present themselves at the border, or to refuse them entry if they do not comply. We urge the Government of Chad to exercise restraint in restoring stability and order to eastern Chad and along the border with Sudan. The humanitarian situation for the refugees, internally displaced persons and local populations in Eastern Chad continues to be cause for concern. We hope that the new rebel offensive will not bring further suffering to these vulnerable populations. We call on all parties to avoid any actions that could put in danger these populations or those protecting and providing services to them, and we remind the parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law, including those related to captured armed combatants. We call on the Governments of Chad and Sudan to renew efforts to reduce tensions, normalize relations, and to adhere to bilateral accords they have signed, including the accord signed in Doha on May 3, 2009. Finally, Mr. President, we commend the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad and assure the staff of the mission, as well as the NGOs working in Eastern Chad , our full support. End statement. ¶5. Begin talking points for closed session: -- Thank you Mr. President. -- I would also like to thank A/S Mulet for coming to the Council to brief us on short notice. -- I would also like to state my government's support for the staff of MINUCAT and NGOs in Eastern Chad, who are working under difficult circumstances to protect vulnerable civilians. -- The Secretary General and members of the Council have repeated their concerns in recent days about the deteriorating relationship between the governments of Chad and Sudan. -- The United States is particularly concerned by the cooperation between the Sudanese armed forces and Chadian armed groups detailed in the last SYG's report. -- The renewed military activity in eastern Chad by Chadian rebels based in Sudan is most worrisome, particularly in light of the agreement signed by Chad and Sudan in Doha on May 3, 2009. -- We note reports that the Chadian rebels have sustained heavy casualties and may not be in a position to continue fighting, but we are still concerned about this latest incursion escalating into further violence and retaliation orchestrated by the Governments of Chad and/or Sudan. -- We know the problems in Darfur will not be resolved until Chad and Sudan improve their relations. We commend the efforts of Libya, Qatar and others to assist the two parties in improving their relations but regret that more progress has not been made. -- The humanitarian situation for the refugees, internally displaced persons and local populations in Eastern Chad has always been tenuous at best, and we are concerned that the new rebel offensive will bring further suffering to these vulnerable populations. -- We think that it is important for the Council to speak with one voice regarding the need for Chad and Sudan to abide by their commitments, including their most recent agreement in Doha and to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. -- My delegation therefore supports the draft PRST presented by the French delegation. End talking points. CLINTON