UNOCI SRSG SAYS "NON-POLITICAL" REASONS COULD

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000720 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC XY IV SUBJECT: UNOCI SRSG SAYS "NON-POLITICAL" REASONS COULD DELAY COTE D'IVOIRE'S ELECTIONS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. UNOCI SRSG Choi told the Security Council on July 23 that elections could be delayed for "non-political" reasons, and that Cote d'Ivoire faced "formidable obstacles" to hold them on November 29, 2009. French and Cote d'Ivoire's UN representatives exchanged words in the public portion of the meeting regarding alleged French criticism of Ivorian authorities. Ambassador DiCarlo stressed timely elections were of the utmost importance and that UNMIL would not be able to support UNOCI after its planned drawdown which will conclude by May, 2010. France stressed the need for political will to hold the elections on time, and the UK asked for the UN's plan in case elections slip past their scheduled date. France circulated a draft resolution to extend UNOCI until January 31, 2010, which is scheduled to be adopted on July 30. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) SRSG Choi told the Security Council in an open session on July 23 that elections could be delayed for "non-political" technical, managerial, and planning reasons. Choi suggested a detailed electoral timeline could be a remedy to these potential delays. ¶3. (SBU) Cote d'Ivoire PermRep Djedje delineated an unofficial electoral timeline and also criticized France for "unfair and unjustified remarks against the Ivorian authorities" regarding the electoral timeline. Djedje said France should have a greater sense of restraint and responsibility due to the heavy influence and the special status France has in Cote d'Ivoire. French DPR Lacroix rebutted this accusation by stating France continued to fully support the efforts to stabilize Cote d'Ivoire and that it was unclear as to what remarks were the cause for the Ivorian complaint. ¶4. (SBU) During consultations that followed in closed session, SRSG Choi said Cote d'Ivoire faced "formidable obstacles" to holding elections by November 29. He was non-committal when asked his opinion if elections would be held on schedule. Choi reported there were no serious financial gaps for the holding of elections. He also said "disarmament by default" would occur since people with jobs had no reason for their weapons, and described several UNOCI programs in place to increase employment. ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador DiCarlo said the greatest concern was the possibility of another electoral delay, which would be disheartening to the Ivorian people. She said the Secretary-General's report of June 10 on Liberia stated that once the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) completes its third drawdown by May 2010, it will be no longer able to provide contingency support to UNOCI. DiCarlo also expressed concern regarding the continued reports of violence, especially against women and children. ¶6. (SBU) France said that political will could address technical and other problems, and called for UNOCI to inform the Council if actors are not fulfilling their commitments to hold elections as scheduled. The UK requested the UN provide contingency plans in case the elections do not occur as scheduled, and requested the Council review progress towards elections in early September. ¶7. (SBU) France has circulated a draft resolution extending UNOCI's mandate until January 31, 2010, and calling for, inter alia, strict adherence to the November 29, 2009 electoral date. All members voiced support for the draft, and thanked Burkinabe President Compaore for his role as Facilitator. The Council is scheduled to adopt the resolution on July 30, the day before UNOCI's mandate expires. RICE