GUINEA-BISSAU: UNSC CONSULTATIONS JUNE 23

UNCLAS STATE 062908

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SNAR PU XA XY
SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: UNSC CONSULTATIONS JUNE 23


1. (U)This is an action request. USUN may draw from the
talking points in para 2 during the UN Security Council
consultations on Guinea-Bissau June 23.


2. Begin points:

-- Thank SRSG Mutaboba for his briefing.

-- The United States emphasizes the importance of
transparent, free and fair elections in moving Guinea-Bissau
away from the tragic and violent acts of recent months. We
call upon the Government, the political stakeholders, the
Armed forces and the people of Guinea-Bissau to exercise
restraint, maintain stability and constitutional order and
respect the rule of law and the ongoing democratic process,
in particular for the scheduled June 28 national elections.

-- The United States is troubled by the resurgence of
political violence, especially so close to the elections. We
urge all actors in Guinea-Bissau to ensure the safety of
their fellow Bissau-Guineans and to press for greater
adherence to the rule of law.
-- The political violence draws attention to the urgent need
to reform the justice, defense and security sectors
of Guinea-Bissau.

-- In making the transition to the UN Integrated
Peacebuilding Office, we urge the current mission to stay
focused on support for a peaceful political process, for a
swift investigation into the recent assassinations and in the
fight against drug trafficking.

-- The United States supports using Guinea-Bissau as a pilot
country for the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan to address the
growing problem of illicit drug trafficking, organized crimes
and drug abuse in West Africa.

-- While the United States supports the transition to an
Integrated United Nations Peacebuilding Office for
Guinea-Bissau, we urge the current mission not to lose sight
of the enormous tasks currently at hand including elections
and general climate of political instability. We welcome
that the new mandate for this integrated mission as proposed
directs attention to the critical areas needing attention in
Guinea-Bissau in the post-election period.

-- We recommend the current mandate be extended through
January 31 vice December 31 in order to allow sufficient time
for the Council to discuss this renewal, in light of the
numerous mandates that currently expire in December.

Questions:

-- What is the status on the Commission of Inquiry? Will it
conduct a viable and thorough investigation of the events in
March and June 2009, which lead to the deaths of the
President and Chief of General Staff of the military?

-- What specifically is the ECOWAS request regarding a
military and political preventive security deployment?

-- What is the status of AU deployment of a contingency force
to focus on preventive security? Has the AU
acknowledged receipt of this request?

-- How many international observers will be present during
the June 28 national elections? How is UNOGBIS coordinating
the activities of these observers?

-- What will be the benchmarks for progress with the ECOWAS
pilot program to combat drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau?
CLINTON