UN OPERATION IN COTE D'IVOIRE: CONSULTATIONS AND

UNCLAS STATE 072105 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO IC SUBJECT: UN OPERATION IN COTE D'IVOIRE: CONSULTATIONS AND MANDATE RENEWAL REF: A. (A) STATE 54958 ¶B. (B) STATE 41489 ¶C. (C) STATE 7043 ¶1. USUN may draw on the points in paragraph 2 for the July 23 Security Council consultations on UNOCI and/or, as appropriate, experts' discussions of the French draft resolution (not yet circulated for comment as of the date of this cable). ¶2. Begin points: -- The United States thanks Ambassador Choi for his briefing. We express our continuing support for the invaluable, tireless work being carried out by UNOCI personnel. I would like also to express our appreciation to President Compaore for his facilitation of the Ouagadougou political process. -- We continue to urge the Ivorian parties to take the necessary steps to ensure that elections are held as scheduled in November. Another postponement would be disheartening for the people of Cote d'Ivoire, who deserve the best from their leaders, and for Cote d'Ivoire's many international friends and partners. The United States echoes the call in the Secretary-General's report for a detailed, endorsed timeline for key aspects of elections preparations. -- The United States appreciates the critical contribution Licorne is making to stability in Cote d'Ivoire. We note that the discussions are ongoing about Licorne support for the elections and the possibility that UNMIL may be asked to reinforce UNOCI. The Secretary-General's June 10 report on Liberia reported that once UNMIL has completed the third phase of drawdown, in May 2010, it will no longer be able to provide such contingency support. This lends additional weight to the need for elections to be held as scheduled in November. We hope that there will be more certainty by the time the next report is issued. -- While it is encouraging that the overall security situation remains stable, we remain concerned about violence, particularly against women and children. We echo the Secretary-General's concerns about the fragile situation and community violence in the western part of the country. -- The United States would appreciate clarification of what is meant in the discussion of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants and dismantling of the militias by " ... the role of the impartial forces in the supervision of weapons surrendered by the demobilized elements needs to be strengthened." -- We would also be interested in additional details on the redeployment of a police officer apiece from UNOCI and UNMIL to provide expert advice to UNOWA on crime and drug trafficking in the sub-region. Please confirm that these officers will be under UNOWA's command during their redeployment. -- The U.S. supports extension of UNOCI's mandate until January 31, 2010, and looks forward to the Secretary-General's recommendations on an exit strategy for the mission. End points. . CLINTON