MINURCAT MANDATE RENEWAL -- CAUSE FOR CONCERN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000053

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO PREF UNSC CD CT SU
SUBJECT: MINURCAT MANDATE RENEWAL -- CAUSE FOR CONCERN

REF: A. NDJAMENA 00049

B. NDJAMENA 000043

C. PARIS 00084


1. This is an action request, see paragraph 7.


2. (SBU) Summary: On January 25, the French mission held an
informal meeting with Security Council experts and a
Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) team prior to
its January 26 trip to Chad to discuss the Government of
Chad's (GoC) objections to MINURCAT's mandate renewal. The
only delegations that spoke were Japan, Austria, France and
the U.S., and the general atmosphere was one of inertia.
DPKO indicated that it did not have a clear understanding of
the extent to which the Council supported extending the
MINURCAT mandate, a critical fact necessary before going into
negotiations. The French will call an additional meeting to
discuss with DPKO its findings when the team returns from
Chad. USUN requests Department guidance on MINURCAT renewal
prior to this meeting, and suggests that, if a decision is
made to advocate for renewal, the Department consider
demarching other key Council Members to urge their support.
End Summary.



3. (SBU) In a January 25 meeting with Security Council
experts, DPKO briefly outlined the regional implications of
an early withdrawal of the UN Mission in Chad and the Central
African Republic (MINURCAT). Noting that 2010-11 would be a
sensitive period with elections in Chad, Sudan and CAR, DPKO
said that a precipitous withdrawal could adversely impact
regional security. DPKO stated that if MINURCAT withdrew
from Chad, training and mentoring of the Detachment Integre
de Securite (DIS) could not be carried out by the remaining
UN country team. DPKO also indicated that contributors would
be much less likely to provide resources to the Trust Fund
that facilitates DIS training, and the GoC would need to
provide this funding. DPKO said that there were redlines the
Secretariat would not be prepared to cross in negotiations,
noting that the projected MINURCAT force level was already at
the bare minimum necessary for effective peacekeeping
operations.


4. (SBU) A representative from the Office of the Coordinator
for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the sources of
displacement in Chad and in Darfur had not changed, nor were
they likely to change in the next twelve months. The OCHA
rep stressed that humanitarian services are still needed.
With the GOC's capacity to provide law and order being quite
weak, OCHA expressed concern that MINURCAT's withdrawal would
result in increased banditry, lawlessness and reduced
mobility for humanitarian actors. OCHA noted that MINURCAT
had provided 19,000 patrols and 5,000 escorts and was a key
logistical partner for humanitarians. OCHA stated that the
MINURCAT presence had allowed approximately 3,000
humanitarians to provide services to 600,000 refugees and
displaced persons. OCHA also stressed the subregional
implications of MINURCAT's withdrawal, noting that the
mission had worked closely with the UN Mission in Darfur
(UNAMID).


5. (SBU) In the brief discussion with SC experts that
followed, Japan requested that DPKO share its redlines with
the Council before the UN began negotiating with Chad.
France indicated that President Deby had informally requested
all MINURCAT troops to be withdrawn by April 30, 2010.
Austria asked about progress in obtaining a replacement for
the Norwegian Level II hospital, and DPKO responded that a
replacement had not yet been found. The U.S. requested DPKO
to assess the extent to which the GoC would be able to take
over the responsibilities of MINURCAT with respect to
providing a stable and secure environment that would allow
provision of humanitarian assistance to the 600,000 refugees
and internally displaced persons in Chad.


6. (SBU) In a private side-conversation, the Chinese expert
indicated to poloff that the GoC had approached China to
support its position advocating for withdrawal of MINURCAT
troops by April 30, but the Chinese have not yet decided
whether they will support the Chadian request. The DPKO
expert also privately indicated to poloff that the French did
not appear to be interested in strongly advocating for an
extension of the MINURCAT mandate. (Comment: USUN suggests
that if the U.S. position is to support renewal of the
MINURCAT mandate, the Department might want to consider
demarching key Council Members in capitals. End Comment.)


7. Action Request: USUN requests guidance from the
Department on the U.S. position regarding the MINURCAT
mandate renewal.

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