Cablegate: Security Council Discusses Oct Syg Report On Unmis

VZCZCXRO7835
PP RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #1050/01 3151813
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101813Z NOV 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5330
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 1308

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001050

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SU AF
SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES OCT SYG REPORT ON UNMIS

1. (SBU) Summary: On November 5, A/SYG Mulet briefed the
Security Council on the SYG's October 20 report on Sudan in
an open meeting. In the discussion that followed, Council
members discussed the ICC indictment of Bashir, pending
elections, Abyei, oil revenue sharing, and reconfiguration of
UNMIS troop deployments. End Summary.

2. (SBU) On November 5, UN Assistant Secretary General for
the Department of Peackeeping Operations Edmond Mulet briefed
the Security Council on implementation of the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement (CPA) in the Sudan and the activities of the
United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS). Mulet
highlighted that, while there have been no major ceasefire
violations during the reporting period, implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) has been mixed. Mulet
warned that the issuance of an ICC decision on Bashir could
have implications for UNMIS and UNAMID and potentially derail
the CPA.

ICC Indictment of Bashir
-----------------------

3. (SBU) Mulet's remarks during the open meeting led to many
SC members commenting on the ICC indictment of Bashir along
predictable lines. Libya urged the Council to take heed of
the "warning" in paragraph 81 of the SYG report that ICC
actions will influence developments in Sudan and encouraged
the SC to activate Article 16 of the Rome statute at a
minimum. Costa Rica countered that the GOS must respect the
judicial independence of the ICC and assist UNMIS in
fulfilling its mandate. The UK, Belgium, Croatia, and Panama
emphasized that the GOS must cooperate with the ICC. South
Africa and Burkina Faso emphasized the negative impact ICC
actions could have on the peace process, and China urged the
Council to act when appropriate to insulate the peace
process.

Elections
---------

4. (SBU) During the open meeting, Mulet noted that the GOS
expects elections to take place on time, but that the July 9
date set forth in the CPA occurs during the middle of the
rainy season when it will be nearly impossible to conduct
elections, and that voter education is needed in the South,
where many are illiterate. France asked Mulet to comment on
whether the Secretariat believes elections are achievable in
July 2009. China asked how the UN could speed up the process
for holding elections.

5. (SBU) Mulet responded that it is not realistic to have
elections in July 2009, but that only the parties can agree
to postpone elections under the terms of the CPA. He further
noted that the parties have not discussed an alternative date
for elections. In response to China's inquiry, Mulet said
that the UN cannot speed up the process for holding
elections; it is the parties' responsibility. Mulet posited
that if the National Election Commission (NEC) is
established, requests for UN assistance can be formed,
suggesting that the Council consider urging the GOS to
establish the NEC quickly. During their remarks, both the
U.K. and the U.S. flagged setting up the NEC as a priority
item.

Abyei
-----

6. (SBU) Mulet acknowledged that implementation of the
Abyei Roadmap is behind schedule. The UK noted that while
forces have left the roadmap area, UNMIS still does not have
complete freedom of movement. The US stressed that as long
as the Abyei Interim Administration is not funded, no
substantial progress can be made on the ground. Russia
countered that the leaders of the Interim Administration are
in place, and that there is no restriction on UNMIS movement.

Oil Revenue Sharing
-------------------

7. (SBU) Russia specifically noted disagreement with
paragraph 79 of the SYG report, which recommends that parties
to the CPA initiate discussion on a long-term wealth sharing
agreement beyond 2011, when the people of Southern Sudan and
Abyei will exercise their right to vote for either unity with
or separation from Northern Sudan. Russia argued that this
appeal is premature and could be misunderstood, asserting
that this issue should only be addressed at a later stage.
France emphasized its support for paragraph 79. In his
closing remarks, Mulet admitted that distribution of oil
revenue is an explosive issue, but also an important

USUN NEW Y 00001050 002 OF 002

confidence building measure for both parties. He stressed
that both parties must look to the future, regardless of the
results of the 2011 referendum, noting that if this issue is
not resolved, it will be the source of future conflicts.

Reconfiguring UNMIS Troop Deployment
------------------------------------

8. (SBU) In his October 20 report, the SYG recommended
deployment of additional companies and a re-distribution of
existing troops to areas of potential conflict where they are
most needed. (Note: The proposed increase in UNMIS force
strength would be from 9,375 to 9,975, which is still within
the mandated strength of 10,000 under Resolution 1590. End
Note.) The U.K., Russia, Costa Rica and the U.S. all stated
that they agreed with this proposed reconfiguration.
Khalilzad

© Scoop Media