VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0949 2912222
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 172222Z OCT 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5133
INFO RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 0546
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR PRIORITY 0220
RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN PRIORITY 1323

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000949 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL AORC KPKO BY PU SL CT
SUBJECT: UNGA:  DEBATE ON THE PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION 
HIGHLIGHTS INCREMENTAL PROGRESS 
 
¶1.  On October 9 and 13 the General Assembly (GA) considered 
the Peacebuilding Commission's Report (A/63/92) and the 
Secretary-General's Report on the Peacebuilding Fund 
(A/63/218), which covered July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. 
 
¶2.  In his opening statement, GA President (PGA) Miguel 
d'Escoto noted progress during the second year of the 
Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), 
referring to their initial work with Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, 
and Sierra Leone, and subsequent assistance to the Central 
African Republic (the four "agenda countries").  The PBF has 
also supported projects in Cote d'Ivoire, Haiti, Guinea, 
Liberia, Kenya and Nepal.  D'Escoto called on the PBC to 
respect "national ownership" and involve regional actors. 
 
¶3.  Member States frequently referred to the principle of 
national ownership in post-conflict situations, and called 
for closer coordination between funds, programs, and agencies 
in the UN System, as well as a higher profile for the PBC. 
 
¶4.  Areas for Improvement:  Jamaica disagreed with the policy 
that peacebuilding strategies be developed before PBF funds 
can be allocated.  Italy said the PBC needs to improve its 
intervention planning, and expressed disappointment that the 
PBF has not provided the anticipated immediate post-conflict 
response.  Indonesia asserted that the PBC Organizational 
Committee should be at the center of the PBC,s work. 
Iceland, on behalf of the Nordic States, called for a 
better-defined relationship between the Peacebuilding Support 
Office, the PBC, and the PBF.  Austria encouraged "the 
participation of women in all aspects of peacebuilding." 
 
¶5.  Other notable comments included those by France, on 
behalf of the EU, that the PBC needs fewer but better 
meetings, and that the PBC's work should be coordinated with 
the with Security Council. Thailand publicized a recent ASEAN 
Regional Forum workshop co-sponsored with United States in 
Bangkok on stabilization and reconstruction.  Chile called 
for higher participation from Latin America.  Egypt called 
for additional African seats on the PBC. 
 
¶6.  Philosophical musings:  Thailand, Indonesia and Mexico 
warned that sustainable peacebuilding must accompany 
development assistance.  Ghana noted that commencement of 
peacebuilding assistance should not necessarily lead to the 
termination of peacekeeping mandates.  Similarly, Italy 
emphasized the continuity of PKOs and peacebuilding. 
Pakistan said that conflicts are complicated by revenue 
deprivation caused by agricultural subsidies and illegal 
exploitation of natural resources.  Chile reiterated, "the 
PBC should not be perceived as another development agency." 
 
¶7.  In remarks available on the Mission's web site, Mission 
encouraged the PBC to reach out to expertise outside the UN 
and better coordination within the UN. 
Wolff