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
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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
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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

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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
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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
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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