NEWLY APPOINTED SRSG ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE WALLSTROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000086 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO, AF, S/GWI E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2010 TAGS: PREL PHUM SOCI KPKO KWMN UNSC CG SUBJECT: NEWLY APPOINTED SRSG ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE WALLSTROM CONVEYS BROAD VISION OF ROLE Classified By: AMBASSADOR SUSAN E. RICE FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D) 1.(SBU) SUMMARY. During a February 8 meeting with Ambassador Rice, newly appointed Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallstrom outlined her priorities, emphasizing the importance of ending impunity for perpetrators, empowering women and using media to change negative attitudes on violence against women and sexual violence. In reference to the Team of Experts mandated by UNSCR 1888, Wallstrom noted her desire to begin its work in a "welcoming" country headed by a woman, such as Liberia, before tackling the more challenging DRC. Wallstrom emphasized the importance of giving "teeth" to UNSCR 1888 and hopes to leverage the authorities contained within UNSCR 1325 on children and armed conflict to target sexual violence against young girls. Wallstrom also outlined plans to establish an advisory panel comprised of high level military officials to further the debate on sexual violence. END SUMMARY. Wallstrom Outlines Priorities -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In a February 8 meeting with Ambassador Rice, newly appointed Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallstrom congratulated the U.S. for its leadership on countering sexual violence, and noted that the short length of her mandate will make it difficult to instigate substantial change. She plans to have a staff in place by March 1 and begin work in New York one month later. Recognizing her lack of UN experience, Wallstrom emphasized that she will hire a strong chief of staff, as well as individuals with military and communications experience. Wallstrom expects a staff of ten individuals, with possible reinforcements coming from UN Action. Wallstrom outlined three "tracks" that she hopes to pursue simultaneously. Her first initiative is to end impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence, including those within the UN system itself. Wallstrom noted her desire to create a code of conduct for peacekeeping troops to demonstrate that UN operations are "impeccable." Second, Wallstrom will focus on women's empowerment, to ensure they are involved in the sexual violence debate. Third, Wallstrom plans to use communications tools and media outreach to "create a debate and mobilize society on these issues." ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Rice underscored the U.S.'s focus on impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence and cautioned Wallstrom on pursuing three broad tracks simultaneously, noting that empowerment is a longer-term goal. She said that the U.S.'s perspective stems from security and protection concerns, and advised Wallstrom that it will be important to demonstrate a lower number of both victims and perpetrators. Rice welcomed Wallstrom's interest in employing team members with complementary skills, stating that a "strong and senior military advisor" will be key. Team of Expert Deployment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On the Team of Experts called for by UNSCR 1888, Wallstrom noted her desire to begin its work in a "welcoming" country headed by a woman, naming Liberia as a starting point. She stated her preference for testing various methodologies before tackling larger challenges in other countries, stating that "we need success stories." Ambassador Rice gave an account of Liberia's dysfunctional legal system and widespread rape, and noted that it may be a more challenging environment than expected. In response, Wallstrom underscored that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's leadership would be useful, and that the Team of Experts could help improve Liberia's troubled legal system. Rice replied that while the United States would have no objection to Wallstrom's focus on Liberia, we would prefer that this not be done at the exclusion of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ambassador Rice cautioned that Wallstrom's proposed work in Liberia may not be complete until she is half way through her mandate, and recommended that Wallstrom show "early attention" to the DRC, as the world will judge her success on improvements in that country. Wallstrom USUN NEW Y 00000086 002 OF 002 agreed that setting up the Team of Experts quickly will be critical and promised not to sideline work on the DRC. ¶5. (C) Wallstrom emphasized the importance of "giving teeth" to her work, and described plans to leverage UNSCR 1882 on Children and Armed conflict, which includes language on rape on sexual violence against children. Wallstrom also hopes to pursue high profile cases of sexual violence, particularly in countries such as the DRC. In response, Ambassador Rice noted the importance of keeping the political leadership of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) "hammering away" at the country's political leadership. Special Representative Alan Doss is "running into a brick wall" with DRC President Joseph Kabila on holding military officers to account, which is intolerable. Wallstrom agreed, while underscoring that the United Nation's own peacekeeping forces must also be "above reproach." Media Outreach -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Wallstrom described plans to use media outreach and communications tools to change negative public perceptions about sexual violence. She suggested that member states could fund special projects within conflict and post-conflict societies to spread a positive message, including by using educational television soap operas or radio programs. As an example, Wallstrom described her work in Sri Lanka with a Dutch production company to create an educational program on the important role of women in society. Wallstrom also plans to establish an advisory panel to raise awareness of sexual violence in conflict, comprised of high-level military officers. Ambassador Rice suggested that Wallstrom include representatives on the panel from the regions concerned to boost its effectiveness, suggesting General Mamadou Seck of Senegal. Wallstrom was open to this idea and promised to follow up. Wallstrom Raises Afghanistan -------------- ¶7. (C) Wallstrom lamented the absence of women from Afghanistan's Jirga Process, noting that there "was not a woman in sight." Ambassador Rice assured Wallstrom that the U.S. believes that women's voices should be heard and has been disappointed that few are included in the Afghan cabinet. At the same time, Ambassador Rice emphasized that the Jirga Process is Afghan-led. ¶8. (SBU) Wallstrom also gave an account of the joint European Union and NATO conference on Women, Peace and Security that took place in Brussels on January 27. The conference, meant as an awareness-raising event in view of the tenth anniversary of UNSCR 1325, included more than 400 participants. Wallstrom added that several helpful recommendations came out of the conference, including a call for additional national action plans on women, peace and security, as welQas for NATO to further integrate a gender perspective into its work. RICE