GEORGIA ACTION REQUEST: SRSG VERBEKE NON-PAPER ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000266 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNOMIG UNSC RS GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA ACTION REQUEST: SRSG VERBEKE NON-PAPER ON FUTURE UN PRESENCE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has circulated a Non-Paper to the U.S. and other key stakeholders, which outlines basic principles for a security regime for Abkhazia, Georgia. The Non-Paper also outlines elements of a future UN role in Georgia, to replace the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG),pending a broader agreement on a security regime. DPKO has asked for our views on the non-paper "in the coming days," in order to inform the thoughts of SRSG Johan Verbeke, who is currently engaged in a round of consultations in capitals of key stakeholders. DPKO has told us that Verbeke will likely complete a first draft of his recommendations in mid-April. USUN requests the Department to provide comments to the elements of the Non-Paper by March 31, 2009. Text of the Non-Paper is contained in paragraph two. END SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. ¶2. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF NON-PAPER: Security Council Resolution 1866 requested the Secretary-General to report by 15 May on: (i) the implementation of Resolution; (ii) the situation on the ground; (iii) the activities of the UN mission; and (iv) recommendations on "future activities". The Council undertook to outline by 15 June "the elements of a future UN presence in the region", taking into account the recommendations in the report, the Geneva discussions and developments on the ground. FUTURE UN ROLE Guiding principles: credible security regime; equal/symmetrical treatment of the sides; meaningful mandate; consent of both sides Objectives: stabilization of security situation on both sides; addressing the needs of the population; concertation/dialogue between sides REVISED SECURITY REGIME Basic principles: - Symmetrical -- equal zones and restrictions on both sides of the ceasefire line - Comprehensive -- restrictions apply to all forces in the area of responsibility Elements: - A strict observation of the ceasefire on land, at sea and in the air; - A zone (to be defined) with restrictions on presence of forces, law enforcement personnel, and heavy military equipment; - Restrictions (to be defined) on over flights by aircraft and on naval activites; - Rules for notification of movements of personnel and equipment with the zones; - Arrangements for monitoring of the Kodori valley; - Arrangements for monitoring of areas adjacent to the boundary outside the current UN area of responsibility; - Arrangements for access, subject to the consent of the parties, to installations and locations in areas adjacent to the UN area of respoonsibility for transparency purposes; - Investigation and reporting of incidents and alleged violations. THE UN ROLE - PENDING AGREEMENT ON A SECURITY REGIME Security: - monitoring the compliance with Resolution 1866; - investigation and reporting; - facilitation of contacts on security matters; - promotion of transparency and prevention of tensions. Humanitarian/human security: - continuation of activities by UN Police and UN Human Rights office; - facilitation of freedom of movement for the civilian population; - facilitation of provision of humanitarian assistance by UN agencies and other international actors; Confidence-building/dialogue between the parties; - facilitation of cooperation within the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism ("Penta-Partite Mechanism"); - facilitation of contacts on practical matters, such as health, education, energy; - broader confidence-building contacts, when possible. END TEXT OF NON-PAPER. USUN NEW Y 00000266 002 OF 002 Rice