Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE77679
2009-07-24 20:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

UN MISSION IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND

Tags:  PREF PREL KPKO CD CT 
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VZCZCXRO6114
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHC #7679 2052057
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 242042Z JUL 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 6972
INFO DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STATE 077679 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KPKO CD CT
SUBJECT: UN MISSION IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND
CHAD CONSULTATIONS: TALKING POINTS

UNCLAS STATE 077679

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KPKO CD CT
SUBJECT: UN MISSION IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND
CHAD CONSULTATIONS: TALKING POINTS


1. The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold
consultations on the Secretary-General's report on the UN
Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad on July 28.
USUN may draw on the points in paragraph 2, as appropriate.


2. Begin Points:

I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on
the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic
and Chad (MINURCAT). Today I would like to make four points.

First, recognizing the difficulties of deploying to a region
like Chad and CAR, we remain concerned by MINURCAT,s
inability to deploy properly trained and equipped troops in a
timely manner. The currently deployed contingent of 46% is
not enough to provide the level of security and assistance
demanded by the harsh conditions and general insecurity in
the region. Without a fully deployed and supported
contingent, MINURCAT cannot provide the necessary level of
security to the civilian population and humanitarians in the
region. Given the fragile security conditions in Chad and
the Central African Republic, a security gap of any duration
must be avoided. We urge DPKO and DFS and all organizations
assisting with the deployment to take immediate steps to
expedite troop deployments, and ensure that those troops are
adequately trained and equipped to perform the mission,s
mandate, including by establishing consistent supply lines
and logistical support for the mission. In continuing support
of the mission, the United States will continue to provide
equip-and-train programs to deploying African contingents.

Second, while we are pleased that the activities of the
UN-trained Chadian special police, the Integrated Security
Detachment (DIS),have resulted in improved security in and
around the camps, we continue to be concerned about serious
deficiencies in the training, equipping, and professionalism
of the DIS. As shown by recent attacks on the DIS, it is
critical the DIS be fully prepared and equipped to provide
professional security services and be capable of defending
itself against attacks from often eavily-armed bandits. We
believe the DIS would benefit from additional UN training on
criminal investigations, weapons handling, and police
conduct. Improved equipment and better living conditions for
the DIS are also needed if it is to reach its full potential.
We also question whether the DIS have adequate resources to
prevent child recruitment by armed groups visiting those
camps. We strongly encourage MINURCAT to begin regular
engagement with the GOC to improve the operations and
capabilities of the DIS. We would also like to know how the
UN plans to continue financing the DIS and whether MINURCAT
forsees, given the proper training, the DIS resuming
humanitarian escort duties between the camps rather than
MINURCAT doing this itself.

Third, we are deeply concerned about the growing violence in
the Central African Republic (CAR) caused by inter-ethnic
disputes, banditry, and lawlessness. Internal displacement
around Birao has increased. Due to limited capacity, local
and national security forces in CAR are unable to prevent
further
violence. MINURCAT must assess its ability to provide
adequate security in northeastern CAR, and adjust its
operations in order to maximize its capability to protect
civilians and humanitarian actors in the area. At a minimum,
MINURCAT should ensure that the troop contingent deployed to
Birao remains at full strength at all times and that they
conduct as many patrols as feasible.

Fourth, although the United States recognizes Chad,s right
to maintain the security of its borders against attack, it is
imperative the Government of Chad demonstrate a commitment to
ending the proxy war with Sudan. The insecurity caused by
the operations of armed groups in Chad and Sudan jeopardizes
the peace and security in the entire region, and undermines
efforts to attain peace in Darfur and provide humanitarian
assistance to the enormous refugee and IDP population in
eastern Chad. We welcome the GOC,s and Sudan,s stated
intention of working to ease tensions between the two
countries and urge their continued cooperation in
implementing the Doha accord and previous agreements aimed at
normalizing relations between the two countries. We strongly
believe the GOC and Sudan must work together to improve
relations, end all military and logistical support to armed
groups operating within their respective countries, and to
use their best efforts to bring all parties to the bargaining
table.
CLINTON