U/SYG LE ROY BRIEFS COUNCIL ON UNAMID

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000727 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SU AF SUBJECT: U/SYG LE ROY BRIEFS COUNCIL ON UNAMID ¶1. (SBU) Summary. In a July 24 briefing to the Security Council on UNAMID, U/SYG Le Roy announced expected increases in UNAMID troop deployments to 92% of authorized levels by year,s end. Le Roy said that the mission thus would be able to shift focus from deployment to operations. Despite a reduction in large-scale violence, Le Roy reported increases in localized conflicts and interethnic fighting. Le Roy also said that the Darfur peace process had been impeded by both the increased Sudan-Chad border tensions and the imposition of preconditions to negotiation by rebel groups and the Government of Sudan (GOS). Council members universally praised the parties, acceptance of the Permanent Court of Arbitration,s (PCA) decision on Abyei but remained deeply divided over the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment of President Bashir. Many members expressed concern over delays in issuing visas, the deteriorating humanitarian situation, and the stalled Darfur peace process. Austria asked about UNAMID's ability to successfully monitor the Chad/Sudan border, and Le Roy said that UNAMID did not have the capacity to do so. End Summary. U/SYG Le Roy Briefs the Council -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On July 24, the Security Council held a debate on the Secretary General's July report on the hybrid United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Under Secretary General for the Department of Peace Keeping Operations Alain Le Roy announced UNAMID force deployments will increase to 92% of authorized levels following the arrival of battalions from Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, Tanzania and Burkina Faso, as well as infantry companies and police officers, by the end of 2009. Le Roy stressed that with nearly full deployment reached, UNAMID could begin to focus its attention on operational issues. ¶3. (SBU) Le Roy said that large scale violence in Darfur had largely given way to localized attacks and interethnic fighting. He expressed concern over increased Sudan-Chad border tensions and the imposition of preconditions to negotiation by rebel groups and the GOS. While commending the Court,s Abyei decision, Le Roy focused on the lack of concrete progress in the Darfur peace process. Le Roy linked successful implementation of the CPA to an improvement of the situation in Darfur and noted that uncertainties in the electoral process, disputed census figures and high numbers of IDPs could lead to widespread disenfranchisement of Darfuris in elections planned for April 2010. Council Reaction -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Ambassador DiCarlo commended the stabilizing presence of UNAMID and welcomed the deployment of additional UNAMID forces, while noting the lack of key pledged assets-- especially air support. Ambassador DiCarlo identified as UNAMID,s top priorities the protection of civilians and the facilitation of humanitarian assistance. She expressed concern over the level of sexual and gender-based violence and criticized Sudan,s expulsion of humanitarian organizations as well as its delay tactics in issuing visas for humanitarian workers and customs clearances for UNAMID assets. Ambassador DiCarlo voiced full support for Joint UN/AU Mediator Bassole, but remarked that peace in Darfur will not occur so long as Sudan and Chad are engaged in active conflict. Finally, Ambassador DiCarlo stressed that the Council could not ignore the need for Darfuris to participate in national elections, scheduled for April 2010. ¶5. (SBU) The United Kingdom and France also welcomed the anticipated increases in UNAMID deployment, expressed concern over delays in issuing visas and customs clearances, voiced support for the Joint Mediator, highlighted the volatility of the security situation, and described the expulsion of nearly 5,000 humanitarian workers to be "unacceptable." Both countries stressed the importance of improvements in Sudan-Chad relations and reiterated the need for rebel groups and the GOS to resume participation in the mediation led by Bassole without preconditions. ¶6. (SBU) There was general consensus among the remaining member states that a negotiated political solution involving the GOS and all rebel groups is essential for peace, and that regional tensions between Chad and Sudan were impeding the peace process. Austria asked U/SYG Le Roy whether it would be feasible for UNAMID to assist with monitoring the Chad/Sudan border. Most member states praised the parties, response to the PCA,s Abyei decision and commended efforts by the tripartite mechanism for resolving UNAMID deployment issues, as well as the efforts of Qatar and Libya in facilitating Bassole,s mediation efforts. USUN NEW Y 00000727 002 OF 002 ICC Debate -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Clear divisions remain over the ICC indictment of President Bashir. The United Kingdom, Austria, Mexico and Costa Rica voiced support for the indictment and called upon Sudan to cooperate with the ICC and comply with resolution ¶1593. China, Russia, Viet Nam, Libya and Burkina Faso characterized the indictment as an impediment to political progress and an obstacle to peace. (Note: Libya has proposed an amendment to the UNAMID mandate renewal resolution endorsing the African Union,s position requesting Article 16 deferral of the indictment and stating that AU members would not comply with executing the arrest warrant against Bashir. End Note.) Sudan Speaks -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Speaking at the invitation of the Security Council, Sudan reaffirmed its commitment to the CPA while denouncing rebel groups for setting preconditions on negotiations. Sudan dismissed criticism of delays in issuing visas and customs clearances, denying that such tactics were an official government policy. Sudan stated that humanitarian efforts were proceeding "smoothly" and called the ICC indictment a "heinous decision." Sudan denounced Chadian airstrikes as a violation of its sovereignty and threatened that its "patience will not last forever." Le Roy,s Concluding Remarks -------------- ¶9. (SBU) In response to Austria,s question about border monitoring, Le Roy stated that neither UNAMID nor the UN Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) have the capacity or authority to patrol the Chad-Sudan border. Le Roy also said that, politically, neither Chad nor Sudan would support UN monitoring of the border due to concerns over sovereignty. Responding to questions about visas, U/SYG Le Roy noted that a backlog of 327 visas remains and he asked that the GOS refrain from discriminating against certain nationalities. RICE