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

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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
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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