GEORGIA - VOTING INSTRUCTION ON UNGA IDP

UNCLAS STATE 093378

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA - VOTING INSTRUCTION ON UNGA IDP
RESOLUTION


1. (U) This is an action request: The Department instructs
USUN to vote in favor of the following UN General Assembly
resolution regarding internally displaced persons (IDPs) in
Georgia scheduled for vote on September 9, 2009. The U.S.
will not make a statement during the session. USUN should
not/not support any "no action" motion, or similar procedural
move designed to end debate without a vote on the substance
and merits of this resolution, in keeping with long-standing
U.S. opposition to "no action" motions. USUN should reject
any substantive edits to the resolution text below absent
additional guidance from the Department.

2. (U) Begin text:

Status of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from
Abkhazia, Georgia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia,
Georgia

The General Assembly,

PP1. Recalling all its relevant resolutions on the protection
of and assistance to internally displaced persons, including
its resolution 62/153 of 18 December 2007 and resolution
62/249 of 15 May 2008,

PP2. Recalling all relevant Security Council resolutions on
Georgia relating to the need for all parties to work towards
a comprehensive peace, and the return of internally displaced
persons and refugees to their places of origin, and stressing
the importance of their full and timely implementation,

PP3. Recognizing the Guiding Principles on Internal
Displacement as the key international framework for the
protection of internally displaced persons,

PP4. Concerned by forced demographic changes resulting from
the conflicts in Georgia,

PP5. Further concerned by the humanitarian situation caused
by armed conflict in August 2008, resulting in further forced
displacement of civilians,

PP6. Mindful of the urgent need to find a solution to the
problems related to forced displacement in Georgia,

PP7. Underlining the importance of the Geneva discussions
which commenced on October 15, 2008 and of continuing to
address the issue of a voluntary, safe, dignified and
unhindered return of IDPs and refugees on the basis of
internationally recognized principles and conflict-settlement
practice,

PP8. Noting the Report of the Secretary-General on the
implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution 62/249
(A/63/950).

OP1. Recognizes the right of return of all internally
displaced persons and refugees and their descendants,
regardless of ethnicity, to their homes throughout Georgia,
including in Abkhazia and South Ossetia,

OP2. Stresses the need to respect the property rights of all
internally displaced persons and refugees affected by the
conflicts in Georgia, and to refrain from obtaining property
in violation of their rights,

OP3. Reaffirms the unacceptability of forced demographic
changes,

OP4. Underlines the urgent need for unimpeded access for
humanitarian activities to all internally displaced people,
refugees, and other persons residing in all conflict-affected
areas throughout Georgia,
OP5. Calls upon all participants in the Geneva discussions to
intensify their efforts to establish a durable peace, to
commit to enhanced confidence building measures and to take
immediate steps to ensure respect for human rights and create
favorable security conditions conducive to a voluntary, safe,
dignified and unhindered return of all IDPs and refugees to
their places of origin,
OP6. Underlines the need for the development of a timetable
to ensure a voluntary, safe, dignified and unhindered return
of all IDPs and refugees affected by the conflicts in Georgia
to their homes,

OP7. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General
Assembly at its sixty-fourth session a comprehensive report
on the implementation of the present resolution,

OP8. Decides to retain on the provisional agenda of its
sixty-fourth session the item entitled &Protracted conflicts
in the GUAM area and their implications for the international
peace, security and development.8

END RESOLUTION TEXT
CLINTON