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