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


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