INSTRUCTIONS ON JUNE 22 CONSULTATIONS ON BONUCA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 063544 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CT PHUM PREL XA ZF UNSC SUBJECT: INSTRUCTIONS ON JUNE 22 CONSULTATIONS ON BONUCA ¶1. (U) This is an action request: USUN is instructed to draw from talking points in paragraph 2 during June 22 consultations on the UN Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA). End action request. ¶2. (U) Begin points: -- The United States would like to join the Secretary-General in commending Mr. Sammy Kum Buo for his tenure as the interim Head of BONUCA and welcomes the appointment of Sahle-Wok Zewde as the new BONUCA SRSG. We also thank the Secretary General for his report to the Council on UN activities during the last six months. --The United States supports the Secretary General's recent recommendation on March 3 to establish a UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) to succeed BONUCA. We agree that the new office should focus on implementation of the Interim Political Dialogue, the holding of elections in 2010, and successful Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR). -- We support the UN efforts to establish judicial advisory capacity in BINUCA to encourage justice and rule of law, particularly in the struggle against impunity. -- We maintain the belief that the integration of key elements in the peacebuilding process should be a part of all UN activities in CAR. We would like to highlight the outcome of the "Inclusive Political Dialogue" process that established the Dialogue Follow-up Committee and other steering groups. We urge the Follow-up Committee to press all parties to maintain momentum toward completion of DDR, the holding of elections, and the implementation of the comprehensive ceasefire agreement. -- We commend the work of Ambassador Grauls and the PBC for finalizing the Strategic Framework for peacebuilding in CAR. We believe that CAR is at a crossroads as the report states and will benefit from a stable and steady implementation of this Strategic Framework. -- We commend the UN for the efforts put forth to work with the CAR Government to end the armed rebellion in the north of the country. We stand by the Security Council's demand for the disarmament of all armed rebel militia made up of the groups including the MLCJ, FDPC, and CPJP. We commend the process which has encouraged rebel leaders to participate in dialogue and all armed rebel factions to join the peace process including DDR. -- The United States shares the concern that the re-emergence of violence in this fragile process and the increasing potential for intercommunal violence risks the increase of human rights violations and general instability. We maintain that MINURCAT should be present in the Vakaga region and that careful attention should be paid to violence in northern CAR, specifically the most affected areas of Bamingui Bangoran, Ouham, Ouham Pende and Vakaga to minimize the increasing numbers of IDPs and refugees. -- It is essential that all parties understand that none of the good efforts of the United Nations or any of the bilateral partners can be successful unless the CAR Government makes a serious, significant and immediate commitment to national economic development. The International community continues to offer its support, but the CAR Government must take the first step by committing its own resources: financial, material, and human to this effort. This is the only way that the CAR will be able to attract the levels of international investment necessary to develop the country and provide a realistic alternative to banditry and rebellion. -- We share the concern of the UN that the 2009 consolidated appeals for CAR of $116 million has only been funded at 26% while the needs have increased due to the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. We agree this adds to the fragility of the peace process and must be continuously tracked. -- We support BONUCA's compliance with implementing of Resolutions 1325 and 1820 especially through the creation of the G23 platform. We encourage the continuation of support for the G23 platform for women to participate in the STATE 00063544 002 OF 002 peacebuilding process. We believe the incorporation of women into peacebuilding through both community development and political inclusion is essential for a positive peace process in CAR. -- The U.S. is pleased the UN has helped CAR enter a new phase where progress is being made in achieving peace and stability. We believe this critical juncture in CAR's development will require careful, consistent, and integrated steps to ensure adequate governance, properly allocated resources to avoid a humanitarian crisis in the north, and restraint by all parties on acts of violence that constitute human rights violations and jeopardize the peace process. CLINTON