USUN TALKING POINTS FOR JANUARY 15 UNSC

UNCLAS STATE 004127

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL XA BY UNSC
SUBJECT: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR JANUARY 15 UNSC
CONSULTATIONS ON BINUB


1. USUN is instructed to pursue the objectives in paragraph
2 and draw from the points in paragraph 3 during the January
15 Security Council consultations on Burundi listed under
&other matters8 and in conversation with the Burundian
Permrep. USUN should also support a Security Council Press
Statement but should refer back to the Department regarding
its language. USUN is also instructed to push the UN
Department of Political Affairs (DPA) to appoint a new
Executive Representative for the Secretary General (ERSG) for
Burundi as soon as possible.


2. Objective: Use the briefing to emphasize the
importance of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) to
conducting free, fair, and credible elections in Burundi and
to call on DPA to expedite its selection of a replacement for
BINUB Executive Representative Mahmoud. Emphasize that
decisions to replace ERSGs and SRSGs should not be taken
lightly or merely at the request of the host country and that
host governments and others must follow standard procedures
for voicing any grievances. The manner in which ERSGs
Mahmoud was recalled is not acceptable.


3. Begin points:

-- The United States regrets the dismissal of Executive
Representative Mahmoud. His dismissal raises the concern
that BINUB will not have an executive representative during
the approaching election cycle.

-- President Nkurunziza has called for the elections to be
free, fair, and credible to the Burundian people. We have
supported this aim by programming nearly $4 million in
elections-related projects.

-- President Nkurunziza requested a large international
observer presence before, during, and after the elections.
We agree that a strong international presence is essential to
support the 2010 electoral process.

-- A strong and independent BINUB is of vital importance to
ensure the quality of the Burundian elections. However,
Burundi,s request for ERSG Mahmoud,s recall undermines
BINUB,s ability to carry out its mandate as set forth in
Security Council resolution 1902, which sets as a priority
for BINUB assistance for the 2010 elections. Election
planning and preparation is already underway in Burundi.

-- At this crucial time, BINUB needs an executive
representative who can support free and fair elections by
lending his or her independent voice to the electoral process
and ensuring that elections are conducted in accordance with
international standards. BINUB is working intensively with
international partners to coordinate election assistance
work, including: providing voter education and assisting the
Government to provide national identity cards. BINUB has a
crucial role to play as an honest broker and a neutral party
in Burundi. The executive representative must be able to
speak out if the Government of Burundi gets off track.

-- We urge the Department of Political Affairs to appoint a
new executive representative for BINUB as soon as possible to
guarantee continuity on the ground and BINUB,s ability to
carry out its mandate. In the upcoming elections, Burundi
faces a critical test of its peace process and its transition
to a stable, secure democracy. The Government of Burundi has
asked for UN support as it meets this important challenge.
The rapid deployment of a new executive representative will
assure that BINUB is able to provide this support and
assistance in a meaningful way.

-- We urge that all of Burundi,s partners remain engaged
during this critical transition period in the peace process.
The international partners should consider developing a
mechanism as appropriate, and as a matter of urgency, to
coordinate their efforts to facilitate the peace process.

-- Finally, the United States would like to make a general
point regarding the dismissal of ERSGs and SRSGs.
Representatives of the Secretary General are the highest UN
authorities in the countries in which they serve. As such,
decisions to dismiss them should not be taken lightly.
Abruptly removing ERSGs and SRSGs merely upon the request of
the host country disrupts the mission on the ground and
creates an unproductive atmosphere that threatens the
independence and neutrality of the Secretary General,s
representatives. The situation in Burundi must not become a
precedent or acceptable behavior for other countries in their
dealings with ERSGs and SRSGs. We as a Council should
communicate clearly our displeasure with the Government of
Burundi,s handling of this situation and send a strong
message to the government that it is not acceptable to call
for the recall of UN personnel every time there is a
disagreement.
CLINTON