VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3010 3062327
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 022305Z NOV 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 113010 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SNAR PU XA XY
SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU:  UNSC CONSULTATIONS NOVEMBER 5 
 
  ¶1. (U) This is an action request.  USUN may draw from the 
talking points in para 2 during the UN Security Council 
consultations on Guinea-Bissau November 5. 
 
¶2. Begin points: 
 
--Key Objective: Reiterate our position that security sector 
reform (SSR) and counternarcotics work are paramount to 
Guinea-Bissau's stability. 
 
--Other Objectives: Express support for UNOGBIS's overall 
efforts; and push for specifics on the UNOGBIS transition 
planned for January 1. 
 
-- The United States thanks SRSG Mutaboba for his briefing. 
 
-- We welcome the relatively stable situation in 
Guinea-Bissau.  We are encouraged by the June 28 presidential 
elections that transpired without major incident. 
 
-- Newly elected President, Malam Bacai Sanha, and Prime 
Minister, Carlos Gomes, Jr. have both expressed to the U.S. 
that conditions are in place for positive change in general 
and security sector reform (SSR) in particular.  We hope this 
momentum is captured and Guinea-Bissau can move the necessary 
reforms forward. 
 
-- We welcome President Sahna's declaration that his 
administration will promote national peace and solidarity 
after decades of coups d'etat civil war, assassinations, 
other political violence and impunity. 
 
-- The government of Guinea-Bissau needs to ensure that those 
responsible for the March assassinations of former President 
Vieira and former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Tagme Na Wai, 
as well as the assassinations of a member of parliament and a 
presidential candidate in June are identified and held 
accountable. 
 
-- We thank Mr. Mutaboba for his vigilance in fighting 
impunity in Guinea-Bissau. 
 
-- The United States plans to re-open a Mission in Bissau by 
FY2011.  We have urged the Government of Guinea-Bissau to 
establish a presence in Washington, D.C. or dual-accredit in 
New York. 
 
-- We appreciate SRSG Mutaboba's efforts to convene donors to 
discuss SSR.  We would be interested in knowing how the 
EU-SSR mission plans to continue support SSR in 
Guinea-Bissau.  We endorse the recommendation by the EU-SSR 
project to make payment of pensions to retire at least 1,500 
officers (1/3 of its military). Coming to agreement on a 
reduction of forces, early retirement options, and pensions 
plans will be the key elements to move the make tangible 
progress on reforms. 
 
-- We would note that the national defense reform plan 
adopted by the National Popular Assembly in 2007 should serve 
as the basis of SSR; we urge partner countries and 
institutions and the government of Guinea-Bissau not to lose 
time and momentum by starting over.  Proper coordination of 
the efforts and contributions of international aid partners 
and international institutions will be key to successful 
implementation of SSR. 
 
-- We would be interested in learning whether member state 
support is needed to ensure SSR continues moving forward and 
does not slide backward. 
 
-- We remain extremely concerned about drug trafficking in 
West Africa and particularly concerned by the 
Secretary-General's reporting of new clandestine laboratories 
producing cocaine, heroin and ecstasy in neighboring Guinea. 
The United States is funding a prosecutorial advisor to help 
the Government of Guinea-Bissau build capacity in its 
criminal justice sector against narcotics/human trafficking. 
Narcotics trafficking must be tackled on a country-by-country 
basis through a coordinated regional approach.  We believe 
ECOWAS should be encouraged and supported to take the lead. 
 
-- We are equally troubled by accounts that there is a 
significant lack of control for crossborder movement around 
Guinea-Bissau.  We would welcome an update on UNOGBIS's work 
with the West Africa Coast Initiative, and on your mission's 
work with UNODC. 
 
-- We support UNOGBIS's regional approach to fighting crime 
and helping end narco-trafficking in the region. 
 
-- We welcome early steps being taken to establish the 
Integrated United Nations Peacebuilding Office for 
Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS).  We are curious to know the status 
of hiring for the mission and any roadblocks preventing 
progress in identifying solid candidates. 
 
-- The United States supports the work of UNOGBIS to 
transition to an integrated peacebuilding office.  We note 
that marshaling all UN entities in the field for an effective 
peacebuilding mission helps to ensure continued stability, 
and helps to prevent a relapse into conflict. 
 
-- We appreciate Brazil's work as Chair of the Peacebuilding 
Commission's Guinea-Bissau configuration and welcome the 
Commission's continued engagement with Guinea-Bissau to 
devise realistic and relevant programs to support the 
country's stability. 
 
Questions: 
-- What is the status on the Commission of Inquiry which was 
established to investigate the March 2009 
assassinations of former President Vieira and former Army 
Chief of Staff Na Wai?  We understand that UNOGBIS, ECOWAS, 
and national bodies are collaborating to assist the 
commission.  The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations has 
already provided some technical assistance to the commission 
of inquiry and we encourage all partner countries to do what 
they can to aide in the investigation. 
 
-- What can be done to protect witnesses associated with the 
Commission of Inquiry's work? 
 
-- What is the hiring status for UNIOGBIS personnel? How many 
staff have been hired, and how many do you expect to hire? 
Will you have all that you need to ensure the mission is 
staffed adequately? 
 
-- Do you have an update from your meetings this week on 
UNIOGBIS budgetary issues? 
 
-- What is the status of the Peacebuilding Commission's 
Strategic Framework and Priority Plan?  What is a realistic 
scenario for continued Commission engagement with 
Guinea-Bissau? 
CLINTON