PREVENTION OF GENOCIDE - TALKING POINTS FOR UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 007024

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2019
TAGS: PREL UNSC XA BY
SUBJECT: PREVENTION OF GENOCIDE - TALKING POINTS FOR UN
SPECIAL ADVISER FRANCIS DENG

Classified By: IO ACTING A/S JAMES B. WARLICK FOR REASONS
1.4(b) and (d)


1. (U) This is an action request. USUN may draw from the
points in para 3 during the January 27 informal briefing at
the French Mission with United Nations Special Adviser
Francis Deng for the Prevention of Genocide.


2. (C) Background:

Special Adviser Francis Deng was appointed in May 2007 by
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the Special Adviser for the
Prevention of Genocide, succeeding Juan Mendez. Deng
formerly served as the Director of the Sudan Peace Support
Project based at the United States Institute of Peace, and
earlier as the Secretary-General,s Special Representative on
Internally Displaced People. Deng recently returned from the
Great Lakes region of Africa, and will speak about his
observations and recommendations to calm the tensions in that
region.

On January 20, Rwanda and the DRC initiated joint military
operations in the eastern DRC against the Democratic Forces
for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Two Congolese militias
that recently vowed to integrate into the DRC military are
also participating. The joint operations, together with the
January 22 arrest in Rwanda of Congolese rebel leader Laurent
Nkunda, could form the basis for lasting peace in the region,
but only if both countries consider the long-term political,
economic, and humanitarian aspects of the situation. The UN
Mission in the DRC (MONUC) issued a communiqu on January 20
noting that, while it was not involved in planning the
operation, it will provide assistance to the DRC Armed Forces
(FARDC) to protect civilians and ensure full respect of
international humanitarian law. The Rwandan troops, entry
into the DRC is controversial, with a well-respected leader
of the Congolese parliament, among others, publicly
questioning its wisdom. The use of mainly Tutsi troops from
one of the particpating militias (the National Congress for
the Defense of the People, CNDP) to attack FDLR Hutus will
raise tensions in the region and risks a significant
deterioration of the humanitarian situation. Poor past
performance by both FARDC and Rwandan military forces in
eastern DRC gives additional grounds for concern. We will
press for adherence to relevant international law principles.



3. (U) Begin points:

-- We thank the Special Adviser Francis Deng for his
observations and recommendations from his most recent trip to
the Great Lakes region.

-- The 1994 genocide of Rwanda continues to weigh heavily.
The United States believes the international community has a
strong interest and a responsibility to use appropriate
diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means to protect
populations from genocide. It is critical that all nations
work in concert to strengthen multinational and international
capacities both to prevent and, if that fails, protect
populations from genocide.

-- As stated in the Outcome Document of the heads of state
and government in the General Assembly in September 2005,
each individual State has the &responsibility to protect its
population from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and
crimes against humanity.8 The international community also
has the responsibility to use appropriate diplomatic,
humanitarian and other peaceful means to protect populations
from genocide. If peaceful means prove to be inadequate, the
international community has expressed a willingness to take
collective action, in accordance with the Charter of the
United Nations, including Chapter VII, to protect populations
that are not protected by their national authorities.

-- The United States remains seriously concerned about the
present situation in eastern DRC, in particular the
humanitarian situation. We are dedicated to assisting the
countries of the Great Lakes region to secure peace and
stability for all of their citizens.

-- Peaceful, diplomatic solutions to difficult problems are
always preferable to the use of military force, and should be
the first approach whenever possible. The U.S. encourages
the ongoing diplomatic coordination between the DRC and
Rwandan governments as well as the participation of other
countries and multinational organizations that have sought
and continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
We continue to call on all parties to cease hostilities, to
accept the disengagement plan, and to recommit themselves to
full participation in ) and implementation of - the Nairobi
Communiqu and the Goma Accords.

-- The UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) has a strong civilian
protection mandate, and all military forces currently
operating in the eastern DRC should work to ensure that MONUC
and humanitarian organizations can have access to civilians.
In particular, many FDLR units are collocated with local
villages, and necessary caution must be taken to mimimize the
incidental loss of innocent civilian life. In addition, the
presence of civilians must not be used as a shield for
military forces.

-- The United States welcomes the recent progress the
governments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the
Congo have made in improving their bilateral relationship.
The two countries, ongoing conversations and activities to
jointly address regional security issues are positive steps
in the right direction, although it is absolutely critical
that any military actions are undertaken in a way that
minimizes the incidental loss of innocent civilian life.

-- To ensure lasting peace, it will be critical to provide
space for an inclusive political process that brings groups
together to protect their interests.

-- The United States emphasizes the critical need to ensure
that the protection of civilians is at the forefront of all
decisions moving forward, and that all future military
operations are conducted in a manner that is consistent with
relevant principles of international law.

-- There is no substitute for prevention, when it comes to
conflict areas and genocide.
CLINTON