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INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS STATE 041906 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC PREL
SUBJECT: APRIL 16 OPEN DEBATE: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND 
INTERVENTION ON REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 
 
¶1.  This is a action message.  See paragraph 2 and 3. 
 
¶2.  USUN is requested to deliver the following 
intervention for the April 16 open debate on cooperation 
between the United Nations and regional organizations. 
 
Begin text: 
 
Good morning. 
 
I would like to thank President Mbeki and the Republic of 
South Africa for holding this important debate. 
 
Prime Minister Brown - Great Britain 
Prime Minister Prod - Italy 
Prime Minister Meles - Ethiopia 
President Yusuf - Somalia 
President Kabila - DRC 
President Kikwete - Tanzania 
President Museveni - Uganda 
 
As President Bush noted upon his return from a recent trip 
to the region, there have been striking changes in Africa 
which are the result of a new generation of African 
leaders - reformers who are determined to steer their 
nations toward freedom and justice, prosperity and peace. 
In the past four years alone, there have been more than 50 
democratic elections in Africa, and more than two-thirds 
of sub-Saharan African nations live in freedom.  President 
Bush continues to support democratic transitions in many 
African countries such as Liberia and Mauritania, 
strengthening democratic institutions in post-conflict 
countries, such as the DRC and Burundi, and assisting 
civil society organizations across Africa in combating 
gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, and other 
human rights violations.  In FY 2007, the U.S. provided 
close to $175 million for programs to promote just and 
democratic governance in African nations. 
 
In spite of substantial Continental improvements however, 
we still face some enormous challenges in Africa.  Today, 
I would like to focus our discussion on one of those 
challenges: how this Council can cooperate and enhance its 
relationship with the Continent's regional organizations, 
specifically, the African Union (AU).  With the objective 
to strengthen the relationship between the UN and the AU, 
I would like to make three points which highlight three 
recent crises in Africa. I will close with a statement on 
the importance of funding AU peacekeeping capacity. 
 
Before I begin though, let me state from the outset what 
we all know: UN peacekeeping is overstretched - in large 
part as a result of extensive and increasingly complex 
commitments on the African continent.  Sixty-three 
thousand of the 91,000 UN troops currently deployed are 
serving in Africa and these numbers will only increase as 
deployments in support of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in 
Darfur come to fruition.  A probable UN operation in 
Somalia could involve the deployment of thousands more. 
And the use of violence in Zimbabwe has already created an 
environment where a free and fair run off is improbable 
and the international community may be called on to help. 
 
The bottom line is that the supply of well-equipped 
peacekeepers does not meet demand, and we must find ways 
to use existing resources effectively and efficiently and 
build capacity -- particularly regional capacity to do 
more.  This will take time - so we must look at both 
short-term and longer-term solutions.  With that in mind, 
I would like to make four points. 
 
First, the UNSC needs to reassess how we plan for and 
sustain peacekeeping operations.  Our peacekeeping 
operations should be "goal-oriented" in nature, with 
clearly defined missions, timelines and budgets. 
Peacekeeping operations should be a means to an end, 
rather than a substitute for resolving conflicts or an 
excuse for delay.  While we understand the risks of 
leaving too soon, we should close nonviable peacekeeping 
operations and adjust downwards as appropriate those that 
are succeeding to encourage self-reliance and to free 
forces and funds for where they are needed more, like 
Darfur, where we are collaborating with the AU to address 
a dire regional crisis.  We continue to call for the 
immediate and full deployment of UNAMID.  The UN and AU must 
demonstrate that this first example of a hybrid mission improves 
the overall viability of the mission.  As it stands the 
desirability of it as a precedent remains in question.  The 
Government 
of Sudan must lift all restrictions to allow for all 
UNAMID troops and equipment to be deployed.  We stress the 
need for a Chief Negotiator to be announced and accepted 
by all parties.  And, we call on the Presidents of Sudan 
and Chad to live up to their commitment S made at Dakar. 
 
Second, we should support Auk?s efforts to enhance its 
capacity to plan and execute viable peacekeeping 
operations.  The AU needs to build increased 
administrative, logistical, and military planning 
capacities as well as better financial accountability and 
transparency.  To that end, the U.S. has substantial 
programs to assist these efforts and has provided 
significant support in the form of logistical support and 
technical expertise to the African Standby Force, the AU 
Commission's emerging Strategic Planning and Management 
Unit, and the Auk?s Situation Room.  And the U.S. continues 
to provide significant logistical capability in support of 
both UN and AU peacekeeping efforts in Africa through the 
provision of strategic lift of TCC units into theater, 
including into Darfur and Somalia.  We are prepared to 
work with the AU and other regional organizations to 
further enhance their capacity and we call on other 
countries to step up their bilateral support as well.  The 
UN should prioritize its efforts to help the AU deal with 
its deficits in financial management and 
administrative capacities.  Improvements in this area will 
undoubtedly help donor countries explain to their own 
electorate the rationale for supporting AU missions like 
AMISOM, where the United States would like to recognize AU 
efforts to stabilize and improve the security situation in 
Somalia.  Over the last two years the United States has 
provided over $57 million to support AMISOM and we 
continue to seek additional resources to support this 
critical effort.  We call on all AU member states to send 
forces for this important mission and we call on the 
international community to donate generously so that 
AMISOM can fully deploy.  In addition to AMISOM, we 
support the Secretary General's call for a credible 
political process and security presence.  The U.S. 
believes deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation is a 
critical component of international efforts to achieve 
lasting peace and stability in Somalia. 
 
Third, closer UN-AU cooperation.  In the realm of peace 
and security, we applaud the formation of the UNDPKO AU 
Peace Support Team and its work in the areas of mission 
planning and the management of logistics and resources. 
In the area of conflict prevention and mediation the 
United States is encouraged by the efforts currently 
underway by the Department of Political Affairs to 
strengthen AU conflict prevention and mitigation 
capacities.  On humanitarian action, the United States is 
intrigued by the Secretary General's recommendations of 
enhancing the Auk?s early warning systems through the 
development of a multi-risk early warning tool that 
includes socio-political, natural, human-made, and 
economic vulnerabilities. 
 
Looking to the imminent future, 
Zimbabwe fits into this category.  The United States 
remains extremely concerned about the situation there. 
While there were irregularities in the pre-election 
environment for the March 29 presidential and 
parliamentary elections, including a campaign of 
state-sponsored violence against the opposition and civil 
society, it is clear the Zimbabwean people voted overwhelmingly 
for change.  It has been 18 days since the election and the 
results of the Presidential race still have not been 
announced.   The Zimbabwe Election Committee needs to 
immediately release the results, which must accurately 
reflect the will of the people.  The government and its 
supporters must desist immediately from violence and 
intimidation, act with restraint, respect human rights, 
and allow the electoral process to continue unfettered. 
We commend Southern African Development Community (SADC) efforts 
to address the unfolding crisis.  The time has come for the 
United Nations to support their efforts through a joint mission 
with the African Union to ensure that the electoral authorities 
act in conformity with SADC principles for democratic elections, 
the political violence ceases, and the will of the Zimbabwean 
people is upheld. 
 
And fourth, we must work with AU member states to increase 
their national peacekeeping capacity.  The United States 
is committed to helping African states increase their 
capacity through programs such as the Global Peace 
Operations Initiative (GPOI) and its Africa Contingency 
Operations Training and Assistance Program (ACOTA).  Since 
2005, the United States has trained over 34,000 African 
peacekeepers from 19 countries and has spent $375 million 
to increase global capacity for peacekeeping operations in 
Africa and elsewhere.  Additionally, we see an opportunity 
for several African countries to increase their capacity 
for combined and joint operations by stressing 
interoperability in equipment, training, and 
communications and building professional relationships 
among officers among African neighbors.  Steps such as 
these will enhance overall AU peacekeeping capacity. 
 
In Conclusion: Funding for AU peacekeeping capacities is 
important.  The United States is well aware of the 
financial shortfalls the AU faces, especially in 
peacekeeping missions.  This is why we have given so much 
to AMISOM and to AMIS.  We welcome the exploration of ways 
to address the financing challenges faced by regional 
peacekeepers.  In this regard, we support the 
establishment of a panel of distinguished persons from the 
African Union, United Nations and other relevant 
stakeholders to seek alternative, cost-effective means of 
financial support, such as the establishment of a trust 
fund or enhanced donor coordination. 
 
I'd like to thank President Mbeki and South Africa for 
their leadership in convening this important debate 
today.  We understand and appreciate South Africa's 
interest in keeping Council attention focused on Africa 
and in developing a more effective working relationship 
between the UN and AU. Thank you. 
 
end text 
 
¶3.  USUN is instructed to join consensus on the draft 
Security Council Resolution on cooperation between the 
United Nations and regional organizations. 
 
Begin text: 
 
The Security Council, 
 
Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and presidential 
statements on the cooperation between the United Nations 
and regional organizations, in particular resolutions 1625 
(2005) of 14 September 2005, and 1631 (2005) of 17 October 
2005, S/PRST/2004/27 of 20 July 2004, S/PRST/2004/44 of 19 
November 2004, S/PRST/2007/7 of 28 March 2007, 
S/PRST/2007/31 of 28 August 2007 and S/PRST/2007/42 of 6 
November 2007, 
 
Also reaffirming its resolutions 1325 (2000) of 31 October 
2000, 1612 (2005) of 26 July 2005 and 1674 (2006) of 28 
April 2006, 
 
Recalling its primary responsibility for the maintenance 
of international peace and security, and recognizing that 
cooperation with regional and subregional organizations in 
matters relating to the maintenance of peace and security 
and consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the 
United Nations, can improve collective security, 
 
Welcoming the role of the African Union in efforts to 
settle conflicts in the African Continent and expressing 
its support for the peace initiatives conducted by the 
African Union, and through subregional organizations, 
 
Emphasizing the need to strengthen the role of the United 
Nations in the prevention of armed conflicts, and 
stressing utility of developing effective partnerships 
between the United Nations and regional organizations, in 
particular the African Union, in order to enable early 
responses to disputes and emerging crises in Africa, and 
in this regard noting with interest the 
Secretary-General's proposal of conducting joint reviews 
 
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by the United Nations and regional organizations of the 
state of peace and security and of mediation endeavours, 
particularly in Africa where joint mediation is being 
undertaken, 
 
Recognizing that regional organizations are well 
positioned to understand the root causes of armed 
conflicts owing to their knowledge of the region which can 
be a benefit for their efforts to influence the prevention 
or resolution of these conflicts, 
 
Stressing the importance of further strengthening 
cooperation with the African Union in order to assist 
building its capacity to deal with common collective 
security challenges in Africa, including through the 
African Union's commitment of rapid and appropriate 
responses to emerging crises situations, and the 
development of effective strategies for conflict 
prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, 
 
Recalling the resolve of Heads of State and Government of 
the 2005 World Summit to expand, as appropriate, the 
involvement of regional organizations in the work of the 
Security Council, and to ensure that regional 
organizations that have a capacity for the prevention of 
armed conflict or peacekeeping consider the option of 
placing such capacity in the framework of the United 
Nations Standby Arrangements System, 
 
Recognizing the importance of strengthening the capacity 
of regional and subregional organizations in conflict 
prevention and crisis management, and in post-conflict 
stabilization, 
 
Taking note of lessons learned from practical cooperation 
between the United Nations and the African Union, in 
particular the transition from the African Mission in 
Burundi (AMIB) to the United Nations Operation in Burundi 
(ONUB) and the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to the 
United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), 
 
Acknowledging the contribution of the United Nations 
Liaison Office in Addis Ababa in strengthening 
coordination and cooperation between the United Nations 
and the African Union, as well as the need to consolidate 
it so as to enhance its performance, 
 
Recognizing that regional organizations are well 
positioned to understand the root causes of armed 
conflicts owing to their knowledge of the region which can 
be a benefit for their efforts to influence the prevention 
or resolution of these conflicts, 
 
Further recognizing that regional organizations have the 
primary role in securing human, financial, logistical, and 
other resources for their organizations, including through 
obtaining contributions by their members and soliciting 
contributions from donors to fund their operations, 
 
Taking note of both the report of the Secretary-General on 
the relationship between the United Nations and regional 
organizations, in particular the African Union, in the 
maintenance of international peace and security 
  -((S/2008/186) and the report of the Secretary-General on 
conflict prevention, particularly in Africa -(S/2008/18), 
 
¶1.  Expresses its determination to take effective steps to 
further enhance the relationship between the United 
Nations and regional organizations, in particular the 
African Union, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the 
United Nations Charter; 
 
¶2.  Encourages the continuing involvement of regional and 
subregional organizations in the peaceful settlement of 
disputes, including through conflict prevention, 
confidence-building and mediation efforts; 
 
¶3.  Welcomes regional dialogue and the promotion of shared 
experiences as well as common regional approaches to the 
settlement of disputes and other issues relating to peace 
and security; 
 
¶4.  Welcomes and further encourages the ongoing efforts of 
the African Union and the subregional organizations to 
strengthen their peacekeeping capacity and to undertake 
peacekeeping operations in the continent, in accordance 
with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and 
to coordinate with the United Nations, through the Peace 
and Security Council, as well as ongoing efforts to 
develop a continental early warning system, response 
capacity such as the African Standby Force and enhanced 
mediation capacity, including through the Panel of the 
Wise; 
 
¶5.  Welcomes recent developments regarding cooperation 
between the United Nations, the African Union and the 
European Union, including the contribution of the European 
Union to the enhancement of African Union capacities; 
 
¶6.  Encourages regional and subregional organizations to 
strengthen and increase cooperation among them, in 
particular cooperation between the African Union (AU), 
Organization of American States (OAS), Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and European Union (EU), 
including efforts to enhance their respective capacities, 
in the maintenance of international peace and security; 
 
¶7.  Expresses its determination to strengthen and make 
more effective its cooperation with relevant organs of 
regional organizations, in particular the African Union 
Peace and Security Council; 
 
¶8.  Expresses its determination to strengthen and enhance 
cooperation between the United Nations and regional 
organizations, in particular the African Union, in 
conflict prevention, resolution and management including 
good offices, mediation support, effective use of 
sanctions as mandated by the Security Council, electoral 
assistance, and preventive field presence; and in the case 
of Africa, focusing on the support to the African Union 
Panel of the Wise among others; 
 
¶9.  Stresses that common and coordinated efforts 
undertaken by the United Nations and regional 
organizations, in particular the African Union in matters 
of peace and security, should be based on their 
complimentary capacities, making full use of their 
experience in accordance with the United Nations Charter 
and the relevant Statutes of the regional organizations; 
 
¶10.  Underlines the importance of the implementation of 
the Ten-Year Capacity-Building Programme for the African 
Union mainly focusing on peace and security, in particular 
the operationalization of the African Union Standby Force; 
 
¶11.  Encourages the increased engagement of the African 
Union Peacekeeping Support Team within the Department of 
Peacekeeping Operations as a coordinating point, aimed at 
providing necessary expertise and transfer of technical 
knowledge to enhance the capacity of the African Union's 
Peace Support Operations Divisions including in mission 
planning and management, as well as the deployment of the 
Department of Political Affairs' staff to work with the 
African Union on the operationalization of the Panel of 
the Wise and other mediation programmes; 
 
¶12.  Calls on the Secretariat in coordination with the 
African Union Commission to develop a list of needed 
capacities and recommendations on ways the African Union 
can further develop military, technical, logistic and 
administrative capabilities; 
 
¶13.  Encourages closer cooperation between the United 
Nations Secretariat and the African Union Commission, 
including through supporting regular follow-up missions by 
United Nations Secretariat staff to African Union 
headquarters to provide further assistance, and share 
experiences; 
 
¶14.  Expresses its determination to further consider how 
to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations in the 
prevention of armed conflict, particularly in Africa; 
 
¶15.  Recognizes the important role of the good offices of 
the Secretary-General in Africa, and encourages the 
Secretary-General to continue to use mediation as often as 
 
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possible to help resolve conflicts peacefully, working in 
coordination and closely with the African Union and other 
subregional organizations in that regard, as appropriate; 
 
¶16.  Recognizing that UN assessed contributions are not a 
viable option for funding regional organizations. 
 
¶17.  Further recognizing the need to enhance the 
predictability, sustainability and flexibility of 
financing regional organizations when they undertake 
peacekeeping under a United Nations mandate, welcomes the 
Secretary-General's proposal to set up within three months 
 
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an African Union-United Nations panel consisting of 
distinguished persons to consider in-depth the modalities 
of how to support such peacekeeping operations, in 
particular start-up funding, equipment and logistics and 
to consider in-depth lessons from past and current African 
Union peacekeeping efforts; 
 
¶18.  Requests the Secretary-General to include in his 
regular reporting to the Security Council, assessments of 
progress on the cooperation between the United Nations and 
relevant regional organizations; 
 
¶19.  Decides to remain seized of the matter. 
 
End text 
RICE