UN BRIEFING NOTE ON FIELD OPERATIONS

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000517 JOINT STAFF FOR DIR, DIR-J3, DIR-J5 SECDEF FOR PK/HA, ISA, AFR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC MOPS KPKO SUBJECT: UN BRIEFING NOTE ON FIELD OPERATIONS APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2009 ¶1. On May 11, 2009, Security Council President Churkin (Russia) transmitted the following Briefing Note to the Security Council on UN field operations covering the period of April 29-MAY 5, 2009. ¶2. Begin text of Briefing Note: Africa --Burundi (BINUB): On 29 April, the African Union Special Task Force and the Forces de Dfense Nationales (FDN) destroyed unserviceable FNL arms and ammunitions, and on 30 April the Government and the FNL signed formal documents certifying that the FNL had been completely disarmed. Also on 30 April, the Political Directorate met to discuss the progress in the implementation of the DDR programme. South African General Mgwebi indicated that the integration of the 3,500 FNL elements into the army and police was almost complete, and that the processing of the 5,000 FNL elements for demobilization and the 11,000 elements considered 'associated adults' would commence once the FNL had produced the required lists. On 30 April, the Government and the FNL agreed on the nomination of 105 FNL officers into the FDN. During the reporting period, local media continued to report about the risks related to the presence of disgruntled FNL elements in the pre-assembly sites in the north-western provinces. On 2 May, following a request from the Facilitation, GTZ, a German organization, started food delivery to all pre-assembly areas, which is expected to reduce FNL-associated criminality. On 4 May, mid-level FNL commanders commenced a campaign aimed at sensitizing FNL elements who are part of the demobilization and 'associated adults' caseloads. Also on 4 May, children associated with the FNL protested against their living conditions at the Gitega Demobilisation Centre and temporarily took a staff member hostage. On 29 April, the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) unanimously adopted a resolution on the expulsion of the 22 CNDD-FDD parliamentarians in June 2008, stating that the IPU believes that they "were removed from office for practical political reasons lacking any genuine legal basis." On 30 April, the presidents of the National Assembly and Senate closed the first Parliamentary session of 2009. --Central African Republic (BONUCA): On 29 April, the OIC for BONUCA, Sammy Kum Buo met with President Boziz to brief him on the latest developments regarding efforts to encourage the MLCJ leader, Captain Abakar Sabone, to end his movement's rebellion and return to the peace process, and to seek the cooperation of the CAR Government in facilitating those efforts. The President commended the United Nations for its efforts to help stabilize the country, including current efforts to end the rebellion in the north. President Boziz agreed to do everything possible to facilitate the return of the MLCJ leader and his three aides to Bangui to enable them to be part of the DDR process. On 30 April, the BBC reported that troops in the CAR had killed up to 30 civilians in February in attempts to suppress the rebellion. On 5 May, OIC of BONUCA met with a delegation of the main democratic alliance in the CAR, the UFVN at their request, led by its Coordinator, Maitre Pouzerre. The members of the delegation expressed concern over the delay in the implementation of the recommendations of the Inclusive Political Dialogue held last December. --Chad/CAR (MINURCAT): During the reporting period, State media reported an announcement by Prime Minister Abbas that Chad will hold a census between 20 May and 4 June in preparation for national elections. On 3 May, US Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration met with President Dby Itno in N'Djamena to discuss the situation in Darfur. The Governments of Chad and Sudan signed an agreement in Doha under the auspices of Qatar and Libya on 3 May in which they committed to create a climate of confidence for the implementation of past agreements, to refrain from using force against each other and to cease support for armed groups in each others' territories. The agreement also urged the Dakar Contact Group to take urgent actions towards the deployment of observers and joint protection forces along the Chad - Sudan border. During the reporting period, Chadian National Armed Forces reinforced their positions in response to reports of incursions by Chadian Armed Opposition Groups (CAOGs) from Darfur into eastern Chad. On 5 May, elements of Chad's air force exchanged fire with suspected CAOGs near Goz Beida. According to Radio France Internationale, Abderaman Koulamallah, spokesman of the CAOG Union des Forces pour la Resistance (UFR) claimed on 4 May that the group sought a change in government and said the Chad - Sudan agreement signed in Doha was not relevant to the internal Chad conflict. Meanwhile, on 5 May, Chad accused Sudan of sending armed elements into Chadian territory in contravention of the Doha agreement. Also on 5 May, armed men in military uniform attacked the UNHCR premises in Goz Beida, stealing money and equipment, and a Dtachement intgr de Scurit (DIS) post in Koukou Angaran was looted by armed elements. As of 5 May, MINURCAT's strength stood at 2,388 military personnel of the 5,200 authorized. --Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI): In an interview on national television on 30 April, President Gbagbo assured that elections would take place in the course of October or November 2009, but stressed that their holding was contingent on the complete disarmament of former combatants. President Gbagbo estimated that 8 million voters would represent a sufficient electoral basis, and indicated that he would sign a presidential decree fixing the election date by the end of June at the latest, depending on progress in the identification and voter registration operations. In addition, the President announced the 5 May launch of the deployment of some 8,000 police and gendarmerie officers in mixed brigades throughout the country. A first wave of some 100 police and gendarmerie staff of the Ivorian defence and security forces were deployed to Bouak on that date. In turn, the Forces nouvelles (FN) announced that the same number of FN elements would be deployed to Abidjan on 6 May. Remedial identification and voter registration operations continued at 40 registration centres in Abidjan. As of 5 May, 6 million voters had been registered, including 1.3 million in FN-controlled areas. In the operations for the reconstitution of lost or destroyed civil registers, some 175,000 requests had been filed with reconstitution commissions countrywide. --Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC): During the reporting period, there were ongoing clashes between the FARDC and the FDLR as Operation Kimia II continued in North Kivu. On 4 May, MONUC extended its list of priority areas for protection of civilians, to include Ishasha (105 km north-east of Goma),Itebero (36 km south of Walikale),Kasugho (40 km south-west of Lubero) and Kalembe (44 km north-west of Kitchanga). As of 5 May, about 255,000 displaced persons had returned to their villages of origin, mostly in Beni, north-west Lubero, Walikale, as well as Masisi and Rutshuru territories. On 30 April, Prime Minister Muzito signed a decree establishing the National Comit de suivi to monitor the implementation of the 23 March peace agreement between the DRC Government and the CNDP. Meanwhile, MONUC reported that some 7,700 Mayi-Mayi elements are yet to be integrated into the FARDC. In South Kivu, the FARDC continued to build up its strength towards its objective of 25,000 troops for the upcoming phase of Operation Kimia II in that province. On 30 April, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator warned of further displacements of population in South Kivu, as an estimated 100,000 people fled FDLR attacks since January. --Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS): So far, 20 political leaders have submitted their candidacy for the 28 June 2009 presidential elections. They include former Acting President Malam Bacai Sanha for the PAIGC, former President Mohamed Yal for the PRS, former Prime Minister Aristides Gomes for the PRID, former Transitional President Henrique Pereira Rosa, the Minister of Territorial Administration Baciro Dabs, the current President of the Audit Court, Francisco Fadul, for the PADEC, and one woman Ms. Francisca Vaz Turpin of the Union of Guinean Patriots. On 1 May, the Secretary-General of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Guinea-Bissau called on the Prime Minister to dismiss the Minister of Finance and to pay salary arrears owed to civil servants. He also called on the Government to begin reforms in the public administration, justice and security sectors. He expressed solidarity with striking teachers who have been protesting for two weeks demanding the payment of salary arrears. The second ordinary session of the National Assembly began on 4 May and will end on 22 May. Some of its work-agenda includes discussions on a report on the Permanent Special Commission on Legal, Constitutional, Human Rights and Public Administration Affairs. The country's Defense and Security Reconciliation Commission has scheduled 22 days of consultations with defense and security personnel in Bissau and the regions, starting from 4 May, to discuss the events of 1-2 March 2009 surrounding the death of President Vieira and General Tagme, the role of the defense and security forces in democracy, institutional collaboration between defense and security personnel and prevention in the presidential elections. --Liberia (UNMIL): On 30 April, a Malaysian Company, Sime Darby, and the Government of Liberia signed the concession agreement for the Guthrie Rubber Plantation, which is foreseen to include an investment of $ 800 million and the creation of over 20,000 jobs. On 1 May, the former Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, Mr. Gyude Bryant, as well as the former managing director and deputies of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company were found not guilty for misappropriating $1 million from the company during the transition period. While the Executive Mansion issued a press release the following day accepting the court's verdict, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf publicly announced her "deep disappointment" with the decision, and the Minister of Justice expressed suspicion that the jury may have been unduly influenced. On 4 May, the Special Court for Sierra Leone rejected a request by the defence team of former President Charles Taylor for acquittal of war crimes charges. On 5 May, the Liberian Minister for National Security publicly confirmed media reports of the arrest in GUINEA of Sekou Dammate Conneh, the former leader of the defunct rebel group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD). During the period under review, Liberian authorities seized three parcels of Marijuana, each weighing more than 100 kg, in Nimba, Bong and Montserrado counties. --Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL): On 30 May, ERSG Schulenburg attended a meeting with senior officials of the All Peoples Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) at the invitation of President Koroma to discuss the Terms of Reference for the investigations into the alleged acts of sexual violence of 16 March, as well as the incidents of political violence during the same month in parts of the country. The parties requested technical and advisory assistance from the UN on establishing the panels. From 30 April to 1 May, a National Security Sector seminar was held at the International Military Training Team base in Freetown. The seminar aimed at improving collaboration and understanding among the security sector agencies, particularly on issues related to crime, drug trafficking and the 2012 elections. Among the decisions taken at the meeting was the transformation of the Joint Drugs Interdiction Task Force (JDITF) into a Transnational Organized Crime Unit. Former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair visited the country from 28-29 April as part of his Africa Governance Initiative to establish the Sierra Leone Project with the aim of building capacity, improving governance and attracting investment. Mr. Blair met with the President and other key stakeholders around issues of effective co-ordination and accountability. --Somalia (UNPOS): The first of several training initiatives convened by UNPOS for senior officials from the Transitional Government ended on 30 April. The four-day induction course was held at the Kenya Institute of Administration in Nairobi and covered issues related to constitutions, good governance for government offices, and recovery and development planning. --Sudan (UNMIS and UNAMID): UNMIS The security situation during the reporting period remained calm but unpredictable. Following some of the most violent clashes in Southern Sudan since the signing of the CPA, UNMIS facilitated reconciliation efforts between the Nuer and the Murle tribes in Jonglei State. On 30 April, both tribes formed and deployed a reconciliation team to calm the situation and prevent further clashes. During the week under review, suspected Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) attacks were reported in Ezo, Nazara (20 km NW of Yambio) and Birisi (30 km SE of Yambio) in Western Equatoria State and along the Yei-Tore road (100 km SW of Juba) in Central Equatoria State. According to media reports of 3 May, the census results were submitted to the Presidency. The report of the Joint Government - Three Areas - UN Assessment Mission to each of the Three Areas is being finalized after joint field visits concluded on 10 April. Preliminary findings include: an acknowledgment that the expulsion of the 13 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) has created a significant gap in the delivery of the peace dividend and implementation of the CPA; a unanimous endorsement by the Three Areas of proposed and ongoing programmes by the INGOs; and the need to ensure a favourable legal operating environment for INGOs in all Three Areas. During the reporting period, a total of 109 ex-combatants and members of Special Needs Groups from the SPLA in Kurmuk (Blue Nile State) were demobilized in the ongoing disarmament and demobilization process in Ed Damazin (also Blue Nile State). This brings the total figure to 2,445 since the start of the operation, or 48.9% of the 5000 cases slated for Blue Nile State. With the onset of the rainy season, the pace of returns has slowed down. UNHCR nonetheless reported the arrival of another 1,743 persons in organized and assisted movements during the sixteenth week of the year, bringing the total figure for 2009 to 22,224. UNAMID On 29 April, the two staff members of an international non-governmental organization who had been held hostage in West Darfur since 4 April were released. Also on 29 April, the AU High Level Panel on Darfur travelled to N'Djamena to discuss Chadian relations with Sudan and to visit Sudanese refugee camps in eastern Chad. On 2 May, Government of Sudan Military Intelligence engaged in an exchange of fire with Central Reserve Police in Nyala (South Darfur),resulting in three civilian casualties. Joint Chief Mediator Bassol met with representatives from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Government of Sudan in Doha on 5 May to discuss steps forward in the mediation process. Asia and Middle East --Afghanistan (UNAMA): During the reporting period, 150 members of the Lower House of the National Assembly signed a letter of support for the Afghan Supreme Court's opinion on the extension of President Karzai's tenure after 21 May. On 2 May, President Karzai issued a decree on non-interference of Government officials in the electoral process. On 3 May, SRSG Eide issued a set of guidelines for the conduct of Government officials, candidates, supporters, electoral officials, media and international representatives relating to the electoral process. On the same day, SRSG Eide and the Head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIDHRC),Dr. Sima Samar, held a press conference to present the political rights monitoring framework developed between UNAMA and AIDHRC. On 1 May, in the eastern province of Kunar, anti-government elements attacked a joint international military force and Afghan National Army (ANA) checkpoint, killing four international military forces soldiers and three ANA soldiers. On 5 May, in the southern region of Uruzgan, an improvised explosive device detonated while a UNAMA vehicle was passing; none of the UNAMA staff inside was injured. --India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP): UNMOGIP Headquarters made its annual move from Islamabad to Srinagar, and reopened the Srinagar Headquarters officially on 1 May. On 30 April, the third round of polling for India's five-phase general parliamentary elections took place in the Anatnang-Pulwama constituency in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. From 29 April to 1 May, anti-elections protests were held in Srinagar during which approximately 30 people were injured. During the reporting period, three suspected militants were reportedly killed in various conflict-related incidents in Doda District. --Iraq (UNAMI): A UNAMI delegation visited Mosul from 28-30 April to try to help decrease tensions between Kurds and Arabs in the Ninewa province, where the Kurdish political coalition, the Nineveh Fraternal List is currently boycotting meetings of the new provincial council. The delegation met with Governor Atheel Nujaifi and many other officials in the province - Arab, Kurdish and minorities - in three days of meetings to better understand the positions of the respective parties. Discussions continue and each side is considering proposals that would allow for some form of power-sharing in Ninewa. UNAMI Electoral Team continued to cooperate with IHEC regarding upcoming regional parliament elections in Kurdish region in July as well as for holding National Parliamentary Elections in 2009 or beginning of 2010. An ICI Executive Committee meeting was co-chaired by UNAMI-SRSG and the Deputy PM Barham Saleh. It was agreed to hold an ICI Review Conference at ministerial level in October in Baghdad. The Iraqi Government subsequently suggested accelerating efforts for the ICI, streamlining the current ICI framework and aligning it to current Government trajectory before the Conference. On 29 April 2009, UNAMI issued today its 14th report on the human rights situation in the country covering the period from July to December 2008. The report, produced in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, notes that although the period covered was characterized by further improvements in security, the overall human rights situation in Iraq remains a matter of concern. On 3 May 2009, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, SRSG de Mistura expressed his strong support to the Iraqi media, which continue to be the victims of widespread violence. --Lebanon (UNIFIL): On 29 April, UNIFIL observed a Lebanese civilian shooting at birds on the roof of a house in the vicinity of Harris (Sector West); he was arrested and the rifle confiscated by the Lebanese Armed Forces. On 1 May, electoral-related clashes took place during a campaign rally near At Tayyabah (Sector East). Supporters from one group fired gunshots into the air, leading to stone throwing by another group. The Lebanese Armed Forces intervened and restored order. A similar development was reported near Marjayoun (Sector East) on 2 May. Meanwhile, UNIFIL observed 12 violations of Lebanese airspace, including 5 by fixed-wing aircraft and 7 by drone. --Lebanon (UNSCOL): On 29 April, the four generals held since 2005 in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri were released upon the recommendation of the pre-trial judge of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. While their release generated considerable political debate, the situation has remained calm, and there have been no security incidents. Electoral preparations continue. In a speech delivered on 1 May on the occasion of the decision of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Hizbullah Secretary-General Nasrallah criticised the UNIIIC for the detention of the four generals and the UN Secretary-General in reaction to the latest report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004). --Timor-Leste (UNMIT): On 30 April, UNMIT and the Government concluded negotiations on the agreement on the roles and responsibilities of UNMIT police and the PNTL during the consolidation phase. On 5 May, "Jardim 5 de Maio" (the Garden of 5 May) was inaugurated in a ceremony in Dili to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 5 May 1999 Agreement, which paved the way for the "Popular Consultation" on 30 August 1999. On 30 April, UNMIT met with women representatives of political parties, who raised concerns about various issues, including domestic violence, the security situation, the role of the PNTL and women's participation in the upcoming suco (village) elections. On 1 May, the Peacebuilding Support Office approved financial assistance of $993,625 from the Peacebuilding Fund to support the return and reintegration of IDPs. --Western Sahara (MINURSO): NSTR Europe and Latin America --Cyprus (UNFICYP): The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on 28 April 2009, in relation to the "Orams case", that a judgment of a court in the Republic of Cyprus must be recognized and enforced by the other Member States of the European Union even if it concerns land situated in the northern part of the island. The two leaders met on 5 May accompanied by their representatives and without the presence of the UN and decided to accelerate the talks through more frequent meetings of their representatives. During the reporting period, following a string of similar incidents, two restrictions of movement of UNFICYP personnel occurred, when UNFICYP soldiers were prevented by Turkish Cypriot Police from crossing to and from the northern part of the island. --Georgia (UNOMIG): On 4 May, SRSG Verbeke, EU Special Representative for the Crisis in Georgia Pierre Morel and Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Charalampos Christopolos visited Sukhumi in their capacity as co-chairs of international discussions on security and stability. They met with Abkhaz de facto Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba to discuss the modalities of the next round of discussions scheduled for 18-19 May in Geneva. Following the signing of the Russian-Abkhaz agreement on cooperation on border protection on 30 April, the first units of the Russian border guard service deployed with equipment on the Abkhaz-controlled side of the ceasefire line on 1 May. --Haiti (MINUSTAH): On 29 April, following the publication of the senatorial election results, several political leaders expressed their dissatisfaction and announced their intention to appeal them. On 1 May - by the deadline for appealing the election results - eighteen candidates had filed complaints with the Bureaux de Contentieux in eight Departments. The Director-General of the Provisional Electoral Council assured that the cases would be studied without delay. On the same day, Prime Minister Pierre-Louis emphasized that job creation was a priority for her government and announced the expected creation of 150,000 to 200,000 jobs over the next two years. On 4 May, an 11-member delegation of the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group to Haiti arrived for a four-day official visit. On the same day in Port-au-Prince, MINUSTAH Police assisted the Haitian national Police in confiscating 20 pounds of cannabis on board a vehicle coming from Les Cayes (South Department) and arrested two suspects during the operation. During the night of 29 to 30 April, heavy rains caused a river in Logane (West Department) to flood adjacent areas, although no major damages were reported. --Kosovo (UNMIK): Kosovo-Serb protests against the reconstruction of houses owned by displaced Kosovo-Albanian families continued almost daily during the first week of May. Reconstruction work started in late April in the Kroi i Vitakut / Brdjani area of Serb-majority northern Mitrovick / Mitrovica. On 5 May, approximately 100 protestors breached the police line around a construction site forcing EULEX to use tear gas. No injures were reported. Meanwhile, in the eastern municipality of Kamenick / Kamenica, between 150 and 300 people protested in the Kosovo-Serb village of Ranilug / Ranillug on 4 May against the confiscation of Serbian driving licences by Kosovo Police and the disconnection of the village from the power grid by the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) since 24 April. Pristina authorities were quoted on 5 May as saying that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) unofficially informed them that Kosovo had received enough positive votes to join the IMF. --Nepal (UNMIN): On 4 May, Prime Minster Pushpa Kama Dahal ('Prachanda') resigned following the deeply polarizing stand-off between the Nepal Army and the Maoist party. The Cabinet, with only one other member party in the coalition present (who also dissented),decided on 3 May to dismiss the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS); a decision that the President subsequently declared unconstitutional. The dismissal followed a period of growing tensions between the Maoists and the Army Chief as well as between the Maoists and the other main political parties. Meanwhile, on 5 May, the Security Council following an open session, issued a PRST expressing its concern about the current political crisis in Nepal and called on all parties to continue to work together in a spirit of compromise. End text. WOLFF