Cablegate: Usun Instructions for Unamid Consultations

O 172147Z DEC 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
INFO DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS STATE 132284

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SU
SUBJECT: USUN INSTRUCTIONS FOR UNAMID CONSULTATIONS

1. This is an action request. USUN is requested to draw
from the following points during consultations on the hybrid
UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) scheduled for December 19,
2008.

Begin Points:

I would like to thank UN Secretary General Ban (or
appropriate) for his briefing. I would also like to thank
the Secretary General and the personnel of UNAMID for their
work in attempting to reduce the severe insecurity of the
civilian population in the Darfur region of Sudan. The
people of Darfur have suffered from violence and deprivation
far too long, and we appreciate the efforts of UNAMID to help
ease this suffering. We recognize the personnel of UNAMID
have undertaken a critically important task -- one that must
be performed under the most trying circumstances and in a
most difficult environment. We salute their continuing
efforts to bring peace to the region and express our
sincerest appreciation for their efforts.

Today, I would like to make the following points:

First, the U.S. welcomes and fully supports all efforts to
attain full deployment of UNAMID's authorized force level.
We are, however, very disappointed in the continuing problems
and roadblocks preventing a complete and rapid deployment.
The reasons for these delays are many, but none should be
permanent or persistent spoilers. The U.S. believes all
parties must identify weaknesses preventing UNAMID from
reaching its potential, and take immediate action to address
those weaknesses. We believe a much greater effort is needed
to manage the mission and the logistics required to support
it. The U.S. has continually exerted efforts to assist in
improving mission operations. Other nations have also
indicated a willingness to contribute to this effort;
however, the United Nations has not developed the
efficiencies to take full advantage of assistance when it is
offered. We urge DPKO to take a more aggressive stance in
soliciting and utilizing international resources to obtain
full operational capacity for UNAMID. We urge UNAMID's troop
and police contributing countries to fulfill their
commitments, and ask other countries to give aid and support
to this vital mission attempting to protect those in danger.

Second, we noted with interest the recent announcement of a
ceasefire by the Sudanese government, however, we are
dismayed that military action by rebel groups and Sudanese
armed forces continues. In light of these concerns, the U.S.
is prepared to take a leading role working with UNAMID on an
international ceasefire monitoring team to ensure
implementation and maintenance of a true ceasefire. We stand
ready to assist the Government of Sudan and UNAMID in this
endeavor.

Third, we welcome the recent efforts by the Government of
Qatar in developing a framework for a peace agreement for
Darfur. We believe that regional entities can play an
important and constructive role in establishing peace in
Darfur. At the same time, we iterate our support for UN/AU
Chief Mediator Bassole's efforts to bring all parties to the
negotiating table and establish a framework for lasting
peace. We urge the governments of Chad, Libya, and Egypt to
provide immediate and continuing assistance and support for
these effort. We implore the parties to create an atmosphere
conducive to bringing all groups to the bargaining table,
which is an essential element in attaining a sustainable
peace.

Fourth, the U.S. is deeply concerned about continuing attacks
and harassment of humanitarian aid workers in the Darfur
region, including some reportedly perpetrated by Government
of Sudan forces. Violence and harassment directed against
aid workers prevent the delivery of critically needed
supplies and assistance, and has a chilling effect on all
relief efforts. We also condemn the attacks on UNAMID as
well, and express our deep sorrow and disappointment about
the killing and injury of UN peacekeepers. The U.S. believes
the Government of Sudan and UNAMID must work cooperatively
and consistently to create a secure environment permitting
the delivery of much needed assistance to the people of
Darfur and to provide protection for all UN personnel. The
Government of Sudan must also commit to identifying and
bringing to justice the lawless elements committing these
crimes.

Fifth, we iterate our support and encouragement for the
normalization of relations between Chad and Sudan, and
ongoing efforts to establish a border monitoring mechanism.
We recognize the regional linkages of the conflict, and the
impact of the crisis in Darfur on neighboring countries. We
applaud the exchange of ambassadors and the establishment of
the Peace and Security force to monitor the Chad - Sudan
border.

Finally, the United States would like to highlight our grave
concern for the ongoing gender-based violence that is
continuing in Darfur. Internally displaced women and girls
continue to be attacked and raped while going about daily
tasks such as gathering firewood or getting water. In most
cases, the perpetrators are reported to be men in Sudanese
military uniforms. We call on the Government of Sudan to
address this unacceptable behavior within its ranks, to
ensure that the perpetrators are investigated and brought to
justice and convey without question that rape and other forms
of gender-based violence are not tolerated or condoned by the
Government of Sudan. We ask UNAMID to continue to be
especially responsive on this horrific issue and do
everything within its scope to offer protection, monitoring,
assistance, and reporting channels for the women and girls of
Darfur.

RICE

© Scoop Media