USUN TALKING POINTS FOR JANUARY 12 UNSC

UNCLAS STATE 002053 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL XA UNSC PHUM SNAR PU XY SUBJECT: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR JANUARY 12 UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON UNOWA ¶1. Objective: Use the briefing to support the UN,s efforts in Guinea. Express support for UNOWA,s engagement in strengthening regional approaches to combating drug trafficking. Urge UNOWA to play a stronger role in coordinating regional approaches to Security Sector Reform (SSR). ¶2. Begin points: -- The United States welcomes the Secretary General,s report and appreciates efforts by the UN Office of West Africa and its Special Representative Said Djinnit. -- UNOWA is a unique UN mission-called on to address cross-border issues, such as drug trafficking and organized crime, while also being charged with helping &put out fires8 as crises erupt, such as in Guinea. As UNOWA evaluates its future, we look forward to helping it focus its efforts on where it can best be put to use. Guinea: -- We support UNOWA using its good offices to address crises as they unfold. As we work to return Guinea to constitutional order, we wish to recognize UNOWA,s role with ECOWAS and within the International Contact Group to support an effective transition from military rule to a democratically elected civilian government. Recent events are promising. Additionally, we applaud the UN Commission of Inquiry,s investigation into the horrific events of September 28, 2009, and we look forward to ensuring justice is served to the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. -- Guinea will continue to need international assistance as it moves forward, and we are exploring the resumption of bilateral assistance to promote economic development, support elections, and help reform the security sector. We would like information on what is envisioned for the Peacebuilding Fund for Guinea, and whether UNOWA has a role in its coordination and implementation. Drug Trafficking: -- We also support UNOWA,s efforts to coordinate national and international programs and resources to combat cross-border crime -- including trafficking in drugs or persons. We continue to have questions about the proposal to use UN peacekeeping personnel to strengthen UNOWA,s capacity. We recognize that narco-trafficking in West Africa is a serious and growing threat. As the UNOWA report notes, drug cartels may now also be developing narcotics-production capacities in West Africa. -- The West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI) and the ECOWAS regional plan of action are important regionally-driven ways to address these threats. We encourage UNOWA to continue its involvement in these plans, and will continue to offer our bilateral support, which included over 3 million dollars in 2009 targeted directly to build criminal justice sector capacity in West Africa. Security Sector Reform (SSR) -- The United States supports UNOWA,s initiative to strengthen regional approaches to Security Sector Reform (SSR) and also urges UNOWA to increase its efforts on this front. -- In this regard, the planning and response to Guinea, particularly in terms of security sector assistance, will be an important test of the progress made by regional and international bodies. Their performance in this area is critical. In what specific ways does UNOWA plan to proceed in fostering synergies across relevant regional and international bodies, particularly in Guinea? CLINTON