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