Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK251
2009-03-12 17:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

SRSG FALL BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON CAR

Tags:  KPKO PREF PREL UNSC CD CT SU 
pdf how-to read a cable
P 121700Z MAR 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6077
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY BANGUI PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA PRIORITY
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000251 


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREF PREL UNSC CD CT SU
SUBJECT: SRSG FALL BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON CAR

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000251


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREF PREL UNSC CD CT SU
SUBJECT: SRSG FALL BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON CAR


1. Summary: On March 10, the Council was briefed on recent
developments in the Central African Republic (CAR) by SRSG
Fall, along with Belgium Perm Rep Grauls, who chairs the
Central African Republic (CAR) configuration of the
Peacebuilding Commission. CAR Perm Rep Poukre-Kono also
addressed the Council, urging implementation of the Secretary
General's (SYG) proposal for an integrated peacebuilding
office. French Perm Rep Ripert indicated that France would
table a Presidential Statement (PRST) concerning integration
of the UN mission in CAR. Council members recognized
positive developments in CAR, particularly implementation of
the recommendations from the Inclusive Political Dialogue,
but expressed concern with recent violence in northern CAR.
Most members expressed support for the French PRST proposal.
End Summary.

SRSG Fall and Perm Rep Grauls Brief the Council
-------------- --


2. The Special Representative of the Secretary General for
the Central African Republic, Francois Fall, was joined by
the chair of CAR configuration of the Peacebuilding
Commission, Belgium Perm Rep Johann Grauls, in briefing the
Security Council on recent developments in CAR. SRSG Fall
will leave his position in CAR soon; this was his last
Council briefing. Fall stated that, despite the positive
developments created by implementation of the Inclusive
Political Dialogue recommendations, CAR,s progress toward
stability remained precarious. Fall cited recent attacks on
government facilities, riots in Bangui and the refusal of two
rebel groups to join the Libreville peace process as
challenges to stability. Fall also noted that the main rebel
groups failed to meet a February deadline to provide a list
of their combatants prior to the launching of Disarmament,
Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and were now expected
to submit their lists by March 19.


3. Belgium Perm Rep Grauls spoke for the Peacebuilding
Commission, noting the need for donors to assist the country
in tackling "a deterioration in living conditions." Grauls
listed several concerns: the resurgence of violence in the
North leading to additional displaced persons; the need for
all parties to continue to implement the terms of the
Libreville Peace Agreement and the National Dialogue; and the
lack of progress toward launching DDR. Grauls said the PBC
would work to raise donor financing for DDR. He asked the
government to finalize disbursement of the Central African
Economic and Monetary Community's (CEMAC) 16 million USD
contribution towards DDR. Grauls also urged the SYG to
quickly appoint Fall's successor. CAR Perm Rep Poukre-Kono
briefly spoke, emphasizing the need for the UN to fully
implement the SYG,s proposal for an integrated peacebuilding
office capable of addressing security, development, and
political issues with a coordinated strategy in CAR.

Council Members React
--------------


4. Security Council members expressed support for swift
implementation of an UN integrated office in CAR and asked
the SYG to move quickly to appoint Fall,s successor. France
proposed, and other members supported, a PRST endorsing the
SYG,s plan. In response to a question from Mexico, SRSG
Fall said the integrated office would be funded at the same
level as the current United Nations Peacebuilding Support
Office in CAR (BONUCA) for 2009.


5. France and Uganda emphasized the need for countries with
influence over rebel groups not participating in the peace
process to urge those groups to commit to the Libreville
terms. Libya,s intervention focused on CAR President
Bozizie,s trip to Tripoli last week. Libyan DPR Dabbashi
said that Qadhafi and Bozizie had discussed "ways and means"
to help all rebel groups join the Libreville process. (Note:
Rebel leader Abdoulaye Miskine reportedly resides in Tripoli
and has signed, but not ratified or implemented the
Libreville terms. End Note)


6. In response to questions from several delegations,
including the United States, on the demobilization of child
soldiers, SRSG Fall noted that he would seek a dual-hatted
child/gender expert to work with donors to execute a
demobilization program. Fall summarized the tasks for the
new integrated peacebuilding office as: (1) maintaining
momentum for implementation of the recommendations of the
National Political Dialogue; (2) swiftly implementing DDR as
a part of overall Security Sector Reform; (3) immediately
beginning preparations for elections in 2009 and 2010; (4)
convincing Miskine and other outstanding rebel leaders to
join the peace process, perhaps through the good offices of
the Secretary-General; and (5) launching the rebuilding of
the country, including implementation of the Development Pole
strategy for extending basic social services outside of the
capital.

Wolff