Cablegate: Guidance for 9 January 2008 Un Security Council

VZCZCXRO7350
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHC #2151 0090059
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 090058Z JAN 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0202
INFO DARFUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS STATE 002151

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV UNSC AF SU
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR 9 JANUARY 2008 UN SECURITY COUNCIL
CONSULTATIONS ON UNAMID

PURPOSE: This is an action request. The Department asks
USUN to draw upon the following themes for the United Nations
(UN) Security Council Consultations on the UN-African Union
(AU) Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on 9 January 2008.

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CONDEMN SUDANESE ARMED FORCES ATTACK ON UNAMID AND
PRESSURE ALL PARTIES
--------------------------------------------- -----

--Condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack by
Sudanese Armed Forces on a UNAMID supplies convoy on 7
January 2008; consequently we strongly urge the Security
Council to take further measures as appropriate for such an
unacceptable attack, including tightening of the arms embargo.

--Stress the urgent need to deploy UNAMID rapidly and push
for all parties to accelerate UNAMID's deployment.

--Strongly state that attempts by any party, including both
the Government of Sudan (GOS) and rebels, to derail the
process or threaten elements of the force will not be
tolerated.

--Express strong support for further measures if GOS and
rebel intransigence continues.

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ESPECIALLY PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN
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--Express deep concern at the Government of Sudan's refusal
to accept the full list of troop contributing countries
agreed upon by the UN and AU. The GOS must not renege on its
agreement to cooperate with UNAMID's deployment, including
acceptance of non-African components in a predominantly
African force. The GOS must end its obstruction to allow
deployment of UNAMID to move forward in full. This includes
providing immediate and full approval for all UNAMID TCCs
regardless of nationality, providing access to necessary land
and water, granting flight clearances (including at night and
not limited to medical evacuations), issuing visas in a
timely manner, and finalizing an appropriate status of forces
agreement that allows UNAMID the freedoms required to
implement its robust mandate.

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PRESSURE FOR OTHER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
-------------------------------------

--Note that very little of the Heavy Support Package of UN
assistance to AMIS and UNAMID has actually deployed.

--Urge the UN and troop and police contributing countries to
accelerate the steps necessary for deployment, particularly
given the urgency of the situation in Darfur.

--Press the UN to move forward immediately with deployment of
self-sustaining Ethiopian, Egyptian, and Thai battalions and
to make provisions (such as camp construction) for those
units which will require additional support.

--Urge the UN to ensure UNAMID's three principal officers -
Head of Mission, Force Commander, and Director of
Administration - maintain a constant presence in Darfur to
implement UNAMID's rapid deployment.

--Reiterate the call for countries to contribute the
necessary helicopters and heavy transport units and express
support for the UN-led 16 January meeting on this issue.

--------------------------------------------- ----
PRESSURE FOR A CEASEFIRE AND POLITICAL SETTLEMENT
--------------------------------------------- ----

--Urge all parties to respect a ceasefire immediately. Urge
all parties to cooperate with the UN-AU-led peace process.
Note that all parties must be held accountable for their
actions.

POINT-OF-CONTACT: Grace M. Kang, IO/PSC 202-736-7735.

BACKGROUND: Although the transfer of authority from the
African Union Mission in Darfur (AMIS) took place on 31
December 2007 as required by UN Security Council Resolution
1769, very little of the Heavy Support Package of UN
assistance to AMIS and UNAMID has actually deployed.
Pressure is required on all parties, especially the GOS.
RICE

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