LRA ENVOY CHISSANO'S FAREWELL AT UN: OPEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000708 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC CG UG ZF SU CT SUBJECT: LRA ENVOY CHISSANO'S FAREWELL AT UN: OPEN COMMUNICATION TO KONY Classified By: Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ¶1. (SBU) During his final briefing to the UN Security Council on July 15, Special Envoy for the LRA-affected region of the Great Lakes Joaquim Chissano suggested the international community create a line of communication for Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony. Chissano said Kony might have questions regarding the International Criminal Court warrant against him or concerns about his security if he turns himself in. Chissano said Kony's options must be narrowed so that his only remaining choice is to sign the Final Peace Agreement (FPA),and that military action against the LRA must be decisive. (NOTE. Chissano requested an early termination of his duties, from December 31, 2009, to June 30, in part to become a negotiator for the Southern African Development Community's efforts regarding the crisis in Madagascar. END NOTE). ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador DiCarlo was joined by most Council members in stressing a unified response to the LRA threat was of the utmost importance. All members of the Council thanked Chissano for his efforts. Ugandan Perm Rep Rugunda, as president of the Security Council, issued a press statement following the meeting commending Chissano's work. Chissano said he would be willing to return to his duties as envoy were Kony to decide to sign the FPA. ¶3. (C) In a private meeting with Ambassador DiCarlo on July 16, Chissano said it would be helpful if the U.S. tracked Kony. He also said the U.S. and the international community should pressure DRC President Kabila to support strongly the joint military operations against the LRA to ensure the DRC maintains the political will to address the LRA threat. RICE