OSCE DRAFT DECISION ON CONFLICT PREVENTION AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 014917 SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL OSCE SUBJECT: OSCE DRAFT DECISION ON CONFLICT PREVENTION AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT STATE 00014917 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Post is authorized to distribute the following draft decision on conflict prevention and crisis management to participating States in advance of the February 23, 2010 Corfu Process discussion on this topic in Vienna. In doing so post should make clear that issues containing an "x" would be subject to discussion and agreement among the participating states. Begin text: The Ministerial Council, (PP1) Concerned by the persistence of conflict in various regions in the OSCE area, which represents a challenge to the security of all participating States and threatens the fulfillment of OSCE principles and commitments, (PP2) Being aware that such conflicts, wherever they take place, may also pose a risk to neighbouring areas and may give rise to instability and a wide variety of threats to security, (PP3) Reiterating our commitment to prevent the outbreak of violent conflicts whenever possible, and to intensify efforts to seek the peaceful resolution of disputes, (PP4) Understanding that non-compliance with international law and with OSCE norms, principles and commitments can foster instability, tension and even conflict, (PP5) Recognizing that the cross-dimensional nature of the many causes of conflict requires a multifaceted, comprehensive response on the part of the OSCE, (PP6) Acknowledging the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security and its crucial role in contributing to security and stability in the OSCE area, and reaffirming the OSCE as a regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, (PP7) Reaffirming our adherence to the Charter of the United Nations and core CSCE/OSCE documents and our respect for the principles relevant to conflict prevention and resolution set out in the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act of the CSCE, (PP8) Recalling OSCE commitments in the field of crisis management, including those enshrined in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, the 1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe, the 1992 Helsinki Document, and the 1999 Charter for European Security, (PP9) Recognizing that each crisis or conflict has its own specific characteristics, and that the OSCE's approach to conflict prevention and resolution, while based on common principles and commitments, must be tailored to a particular situation, (PP10) Reaffirming consensus as the basis for OSCE decision-making, including in the area of conflict prevention and crisis management, (PP11) Praising the significant contribution made to preventing conflict by the OSCE's Secretariat, Institutions and field operations, including through their focus on assisting participating States to create the democratic structures essential to security and stability, (PP12) Recalling that the ability to respond promptly to early warning signals, as well as to deploy rapidly civilian and police expertise, is essential to effective conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, (PP13) Convinced of the necessity to enhance the OSCE's activities in early warning, conflict prevention and resolution, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, in line with its role as a regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, (OP1) Decides to authorize the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office to respond swiftly in the event of escalating tensions or conflict in the OSCE area, through the deployment of small teams, not to exceed X personnel, to areas of concern; STATE 00014917 002.2 OF 002 (OP2) Authorizes these teams to assess, monitor and report to participating States on the situation on the ground; provide a liaison or advisory function; facilitate humanitarian relief; and recommend measures for confidence and security building mechanisms to support peace and stability. Such a team would initially deploy for a maximum period of X days; (OP3) Notes that OSCE Permanent Council may by consensus decision extend the duration of deployment or modify the tasks to be performed by the teams; (OP4) Agrees that the resources related to the deployment of the teams will be provided through extrabudgetary contributions; (OP5) Agrees that deployments of these teams are to be accepted by all participating States without preconditions, and that participating States will to the greatest possible extent provide security to team personnel and facilitate the team's freedom of movement and access to relevant authorities and representatives of the population; (OP6) Furthermore decides to strengthen their commitment to resolving disputes by peaceful means by enhancing the organization's 1991 Berlin Mechanism for Consultation and Co-Operation With Regard To Emergency Situations through addition of a provision for convening an extraordinary conference of all participating States in the event of armed conflict, to examine ways to deescalate tensions and/or halt further hostilities, in accordance with annex 1, (OP7) Tasks the Secretariat/CPC with further exploring how the OSCE can increase the effectiveness of its conflict prevention and resolution efforts, including through the development, within existing resources, of enhanced training and a rapid response capacity, a focus on confidence- and security building measures, and how to establish and maintain a political dialogue between the parties to a conflict, and to report back to the next Ministerial Council. (OP8) Requests the Secretariat/CPC to provide enhanced support to the mediation and good offices efforts of the OSCE Chairmanship and to develop ways to retain and use institutional memory, within existing resources. ¶2. (U) Post is also authorized to distribute the following nonpaper setting forth suggested modifications to the Berlin Mechanism for Consultation and Co-Operation With Regard to Emergency Situations. Begin text: Modification to the Berlin Mechanism for Consultation and Co-Operation With Regard To Emergency Situations The following articles will be added to the Berlin Mechanism for Consultation and Co-Operation With Regard To Emergency Situations: x. In the event armed conflict breaks out on the territory of one or more participating States, the Chairperson of the Permanent Council will convene an extraordinary conference of the participating States to examine ways to deescalate tensions and/or halt further hostilities. x.1 The Chairperson will immediately notify all participating States of the date and time of the meeting, which will be held at the earliest 48 hours and at the latest three days after this notification. The notification will also include the reason for, and the agenda of, the meeting. x.2 The meeting will be held at the seat of the Secretariat and last no more than two days, unless otherwise agreed. x.3 Further modalities will be as stipulated in Articles 2.10 through 2.14, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. In cases of armed conflict involving participating States, those involved states may exercise any rights they otherwise have to participate in the conference, but they will not take part in any decision adopting recommendations or conclusions. END TEXT. CLINTON