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