U/SYG PASCOE UPDATES SECURITY COUNCIL ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000713 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF, IO, PM, USUN/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MARR MOPS KPKO UNSC DJ ER, SO SUBJECT: U/SYG PASCOE UPDATES SECURITY COUNCIL ON DJIBOUTI-ERITREA BORDER DISPUTE ¶1. Summary: (SBU) In July 21 consultations on the Djibouti-Eritrea border dispute, U/SYG Pascoe told the Security Council that Eritrea has failed to comply with UNSC Resolution 1862, which calls on Eritrea to recognize the dispute, accept mediation and withdraw its forces. Council members unanimously pointed to Eritrea as holding primary responsibility for the impasse, while welcoming steps taken by Djibouti and supporting U/SYG Pascoe's diplomatic efforts. Several members of the Council expressed concern that a continued lack of progress would undermine Security Council legitimacy, and many urged the Council to view the dispute in the context of regional dynamics, including the situation in Somalia. Many Security Council members were open to addressing Eritrea's defiance via new Council action, while China, Japan, Vietnam, Turkey and Libya focused exclusively on continuing efforts towards dialogue. End Summary Pascoe Offers Little Positive News -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In July 21 Security Council consultations on the Djibouti-Eritrea border dispute, Under Secretary General for UN Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe told the Council that there is no indication of Eritrean withdrawal from the disputed Djiboutian territories of Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island as required by UNSC Resolution 1862. Pascoe stated that since his last briefing in April, the Eritrean government has ignored all diplomatic efforts for a peaceful settlement of the dispute in spite of multiple attempts by the international community to engage. Pascoe said he plans to send a delegation to Asmara within the next few weeks to probe for positive signs. In response to a question about the likelihood of Eritrean engagement, Pascoe stated that at the African Union Summit in Sirte, the Eritrean delegation understood that, "they were in a bind that made no sense." He also said that the Eritreans have shown some interest in the date of his delegation's visit, which can be interpreted as a positive sign. Pascoe ended by stating that the role Eritrea is playing throughout the Horn of Africa is not constructive, and that his team will continue to pursue discussions with the aim of modifying its behavior. Eritrean Recalcitrance -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Council members almost uniformly censured Eritrea for its failure to comply with UNSC Resolution 1862, while welcoming steps taken by Djibouti and supporting Pascoe's diplomatic efforts. Ambassador DiCarlo pointed to Eritrea's lack of cooperation, stating that Eritrea must avoid further conflict in the region and engage with the international community before it is too late. France and the United Kingdom both emphasized that Djibouti's concerns should also be addressed. China was the most cautions, stating that the two sides must "dispassionately" address the dispute, while clearly putting the onus on Eritrea to take, "more active and positive steps," to resolve the impasse. Others characterized Eritrea's reluctance less diplomatically, with Croatia highlighting Eritrea's, "blatant disregard for the facts," and Turkey stating that the Council needs to find the right incentives to draw out Eritrea from its, "state of denial." Libya similarly regretted Eritrea's failure to accept the resolution's demands, and called on Eritrea to responsibly address the issue. Uganda and Burkino Faso both highlighted Eritrea's unresponsiveness and lack of cooperation, while inviting Eritrea to conform to the repeated demands of the international community. ¶4. (SBU) Several expressed concern that Eritrea's cavalier position vis--vis UNSC Resolution 1862 risked undermining the Council's power and legitimacy. Austria deplored Eritrea's failure to receive the Somalia Sanctions Committee for their fact-finding mission, and noted that Eritrea's actions risked leaving the Security Council with a "credibility problem." Japan and Mexico similarly pointed to the lack of progress with the last six months as undermining the credibility of the Council. Uganda was the most vocal about this issue, pointing to the frustrations of Djibouti, the UN system and the Security Council about the lack of progress. Uganda stated that the SC should be ready to, "take appropriate measures," as the Council will become, "less powerful if ignored." The Regional Backdrop -------------- USUN NEW Y 00000713 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) Most Council members addressed the Djibouti-Eritrea conflict in the context of the larger Horn of Africa dynamic. The US, UK, France, Costa Rica, Mexico, Austria, China, Libya and Vietnam all expressed concern about Eritrea's impact on the wider region, with many Council members pointing to Eritrea's efforts to undermine peace in Somalia as yet another example of the country's lack of cooperation. China emphasized that it is not in the Council's interest to allow the conflict to spill over into the Horn of Africa. Libya recommended that the Security Council address the Djibouti-Eritrea border dispute not in a piecemeal fashion, but via a broad dialogue about the problems of the entire region. France took note that Somalia's Transitional Federal Government has accused Eritrea of helping to arm the insurgency. Next Steps: Continuing Dialogue vs. Sanctions -------------- - ¶6. (SBU) While most Council members agreed that Eritrea was culpable for the failure of progress on the border dispute, a variety of options were raised for consideration. France, Russia, Chile, Costa Rica and Austria discussed the idea of sanctioning Eritrean individuals via the framework of UNSC Resolution 1844 (which established a targeted sanctions framework on those who undermined stability in Somalia). Russia made a point of stating that they do not oppose adding new names to the Somalia Sanctions list, but that new names must be, "very well based." Austria stated that the Council should, "operate within the system and framework available to us," pointing to the Somalia Sanctions Committee as the clearest path. France similarly supported taking this route, suggesting that the Council could explicitly state that any new sanctions on individuals are a response to Eritrean actions in Djibouti. Costa Rica also supported the idea of adding Eritrean names to the Somalia Sanctions list, calling it, "the appropriate action to take." The US, UK and Uganda all stated that the Security Council should be prepared to take appropriate measures to address Eritrea's lack of action. ¶7. (SBU) China, Japan, Vietnam, Libya and Turkey were overall more moderate, with a focus on continuing dialogue with Eritrea. Turkey stressed the importance of identifying the "right incentives" to allow a "face saving settlement" with Eritrea, urging the African Union and other international organizations to avoid tactics that lead to isolation. Libya stated that the Council should address the dispute in a "very serious and comprehensive manner," urging "direct dialogue" between the parties. China placed the primary responsibility on Djibouti and Eritrea to resolve the dispute, while urging the African Union, the United Nations and the two countries concerned to, "play their comparative advantages and create a practical and feasible strategy," for furthering dialogue. RICE