SRSG ANGELO BRIEFS COUNCIL ON MINURCAT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000730 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO PREF UNSC CD CT SU SUBJECT: SRSG ANGELO BRIEFS COUNCIL ON MINURCAT ¶1. Summary. On July 28, MINURCAT SRSG Angelo reported that the security and humanitarian situation in Eastern Chad and Northeastern CAR had further deteriorated, largely as a result of increased tensions between Chad and Sudan. Despite this deterioration, Angelo also pointed to positive developments -- including the launching of a national census in Chad, the establishment of an electoral commission and the full deployment of the UN-trained Chadian security forces in and around IDP camps. Council members stressed the need to improve the humanitarian situation and the importance of political reconciliation, both internally within Chad and Sudan, as well as between both countries and armed opposition groups. The U.S., joined by several members, expressed concern with the slow pace of deployment and increasing inter-tribal tension in CAR. Member states also urged MINURCAT to provide enhanced logistical support for the DIS and welcomed the Secretary-General,s strategic workplan, including benchmarks. End Summary. SRSG Angelo Briefs the Council -------------- ¶2. On July 28, the Secretary-General,s Special Representative to the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) Victor Angelo briefed the Council on recent political, security and humanitarian developments in CAR and Chad. On the political front, Angelo praised Chad for launching a national census on May 20 and establishing an electoral commission in preparation for next year,s presidential and legislative elections. Angelo said that despite this political progress, the security situation had deteriorated due to increased tensions between Chad and Sudan, triggered by the Sudan-based Chadian opposition,s early-May attack on Chad, which led to retaliatory strikes by the Chadian air force. ¶3. Angelo also reported that the humanitarian and human rights situation remains fragile as well. He noted that sexual and gender-based violence, recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary arrest and displacement of civilians are widespread and ongoing. Angelo praised the full deployment of the Chadian Integrated Security Detachment (DIS) which he said has resulted in reduced crime and violence within refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Eastern Chad. Lastly, Angelo introduced a strategic workplan for future MINURCAT operations which will measure progress according to specific benchmarks and timelines. Permanent Member Views -------------- ¶4. In the U.S. statement to the Council, USUN Minister-Counselor expressed concern over delays in the deployment of MINURCAT forces, increasing violence in CAR, and deteriorating relations between Chad and Sudan. He also noted that the DIS would benefit from additional training and equipment. France expressed similar concern over the incomplete deployment of MINURCAT forces and, along with the UK, noted that the continued effectiveness of the DIS is dependent on MINURCAT support. France also expressed concern over the misconduct of some individual DIS officers. The UK emphasized that peace in Chad is linked to the situation in Darfur while all three countries called for improvements in Chad-Sudan relations and voiced support for the 13 August 2007 Agreement and the Dakar process. France reiterated the importance of ending human rights abuses, sexual and gender-based violence and the recruitment of child soldiers. The UK welcomed the SRSG,s strategic workplan but asked that the issue of recruitment of child soldiers be included in further refinements to the plan. ¶5. Russia and China acknowledged that the security situation remains complex, especially in Eastern Chad. Both countries expressed concern over the deterioration in Chad-Sudan relations and criticized armed opposition groups and the Government of Chad for the escalation in violence. Russia made specific reference to the failure of troop contributing countries to provide MINURCAT with necessary air assets and welcomed the benchmarks outlined in the SRSG,s report. China praised the recent reconciliation efforts in Tripoli between Chad and three opposition groups. Other Member Views -------------- ¶6. Most other Council members praised the completion of the census in Chad and establishment of the electoral commission. Members also recognized the full deployment of DIS forces. In addition, most welcomed Libya,s efforts at brokering the July 26 peace agreement between the Chadian government and USUN NEW Y 00000730 002 OF 002 three rebel Chadian groups (the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development-Renewal, the National Movement for Recovery, and the Front for the Salvation of the Republic). There was general consensus that security and the humanitarian situation in Eastern Chad and Northeastern CAR can only be resolved politically -- on the basis of the Doha Accord, Dakar Process and 13 August 2007 Agreement. Austria advocated that Chad and Sudan create a Joint Border Monitoring Mechanism and asked SRSG Angelo what his position on such a mechanism would be. Costa Rica voiced strong support for the benchmarks and timelines contained in the SRSG,s workplan while Libya criticized the SRSG for attaching timeframes to the specific benchmarks. CAR and Chadian PRs Speak -------------- ¶7. CAR expressed gratitude for MINURCAT,s efforts but also stressed that violence and tribal conflicts have resulted in the massive displacement of people. CAR noted that this has disrupted humanitarian and commercial activities, especially in the northeast. CAR also stated that Lord,s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels from Uganda have stepped up their incursions into CAR. Chad expressed gratitude for MINURCAT,s support of DIS forces but stressed that more aid would be necessary to finance the DIS in 2010. Chad reasserted its right to self defense, but stated that it did not carry out airstrikes on Sudan or enter its airspace. Chad professed its willingness to cooperate fully with the UN and normalize relations with Sudan. SRSG Angelo,s Concluding Remarks -------------- ¶8. SRSG Angelo responded to the Austrian suggestion that a Chad-Sudan Joint Border Monitoring Group be created by stating that he believes the conditions are present within the Dakar process for a border monitoring mechanism to be set up. Angelo urged the Contact Group to meet as soon as possible in Khartoum and said that those countries that are a part of this group must assist Chad and Sudan with creating confidence building measures. Angelo concluded by stating that, if fully deployed, MINURCAT would make a difference in Eastern Chad and he urged the international community to come forward with troop contributions as well as military enablers RICE