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
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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
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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.

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ICC Debate
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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
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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
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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