VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #2962 3541725
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 191717Z DEC 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 132962 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNSC XA BY
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR DECEMBER 19 UNSC RESOLUTION ON BINUB 
 
¶1.  This is an action message.  USUN is authorized to 
join consensus on the UN Resolution on BINUB in para 2 
below. 
 
¶2.  (U)  Begin resolution text: 
 
The Security Council, 
(1) Recalling its resolutions and the statements of its 
President on Burundi, in particular resolutions 1719 
(2006) and 1791 (2007), 
(2) Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, 
independence, territorial integrity and unity of Burundi, 
(3) Welcoming the Declaration of the Summit of the Heads 
of State and Government of the Great Lakes Region on the 
Burundi Peace Process, which took place in Bujumbura on 4 
December 2008 and the agreements reached between the 
Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL, 
(4) Paying tribute to the Regional Peace Initiative, the 
South African Facilitation, the African Union and the 
Political Directorate for their sustained engagement in 
support of Burundi's peace consolidation efforts, to 
promote the full implementation of the Comprehensive 
Ceasefire Agreement signed on 7 September 2006 in 
Dar-es-Salaam between the Government of Burundi and the 
Palipehutu-FNL, 
(5) Taking note of the progress achieved by Burundi in key 
peace consolidation areas, as well as the remaining 
challenges, in particular implementing the Comprehensive 
Ceasefire agreement with the Forces Nationales de 
Libration (Palipehutu-FNL), consolidating 
democratically-elected institutions, strengthening good 
governance, completing the disarmament, demobilization and 
reintegration process, and taking forward the reform of 
the security sector, including ensuring that the security 
forces and justice institutions effectively protect human 
rights and the rule of law, 
(6) Welcoming the establishment of the Permanent National 
Independent Electoral Commission, recalling the need for 
nominations of its members to be through an independent 
and inclusive process and recalling the importance that 
the elections scheduled in 2010 are prepared in the spirit 
of reconciliation and dialogue enshrined in the Burundian 
Constitution that had led to a successful transition, 
(7) Emphasizing the need for the United Nations system and 
the international community to maintain their support for 
peace consolidation and long-term development in Burundi, 
welcoming the continued engagement of the Peacebuilding 
Commission on Burundi and the recent visit of the 
delegation led by the Chair of the Commission's Burundi 
configuration and taking note of the June 2008 bi-annual 
review of progress in the implementation of the Strategic 
Framework for Peacebuilding in Burundi and of the briefing 
of the Chairman of the Burundi configuration of the 
Peacebuilding Commission on 11 December 2008, 
(8) Recognizing the importance of transitional justice in 
promoting lasting reconciliation among all the people of 
Burundi and welcoming progress in the preparations for 
national consultations on the establishment of 
transitional justice mechanisms, including through the 
establishment of a Technical Follow-up Committee and a 
forum of civil society representatives, 
(9) Noting with concern the continuing human rights 
violations and restrictions on civil liberties, including 
arrests of members of the political opposition and 
representatives of civil society, the media and trade 
unions and welcoming the decision of the Government to 
rescind its order to regulate meetings and demonstrations 
of political parties and associations, 
(10) Welcoming the Burundian authorities' efforts to fight 
impunity, in particular the trial and conviction of some 
of the perpetrators of the Muyinga massacre, 
(11) Recalling its resolution 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) 
on women, peace and security, its resolution 1674 (2006) 
on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and its 
resolution 1612 (2005) on children in armed conflict, 
(12) Having considered the fourth report (S/2008/745) of 
the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated 
Office in Burundi (BINUB), 
¶1.      Decides to extend until 31 December 2009 the 
mandate of BINUB, as set out in resolutions 1719 (2006) 
and renewed in its resolution 1791 (2007) ; 
¶2.      Urges the Government of Burundi and the 
Palipehutu-FNL to make every effort to implement, before 
31 December 2008, the agreements they reached on 4 
December 2008 so as to bring this last phase of the peace 
process to a successful conclusion and calls on both 
parties to desist from any action that may create tension 
or bring about the resumption of hostilities and to 
resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and in a 
spirit of cooperation ; 
¶3.      Calls on the Palipehutu-FNL to work with the 
Government, the Joint Verification and Monitoring 
Mechanism and all international partners in order to 
encourage all its combatants to move without 
conditionalities to assembly areas and to fully implement 
the disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion process ; 
¶4.      Encourages  the Regional Initiative leaders, the 
African Union,  the South African Facilitation, the 
Political Directorate and other international partners to 
sustain their efforts in order to assist the parties in 
the implementation of the 4 December Declaration and to 
remain actively engaged  on the ground to monitor the 
process and to ensure its sustainability ; 
¶5.      Reiterates its request for the 
Secretary-General, including through BINUB, to play a 
robust political role in support of all facets of the 
peace process, in full coordination with subregional, 
regional and international partners ; 
¶6.      Encourages the Government of Burundi to take the 
necessary measures to create an environment conducive to 
the holding of free, fair and peaceful elections in 2010 
and welcomes the United Nations readiness to assist in the 
process ; 
¶7.      Requests  the Executive Representative of the 
Secretary-General to facilitate and promote dialogue among 
national and international stakeholders, in particular in 
the context of the upcoming elections, while continuing to 
support their efforts to sustain peace and stability ; 
¶8.      Encourages the Government of Burundi to pursue 
its efforts regarding peace consolidation challenges, in 
particular democratic governance, justice, security 
reforms and protection of human rights ; 
¶9.      Encourages the Government of Burundi, the 
Peacebuilding Commission, and its national and 
international partners to honour the commitments  they 
have made under the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding 
and requests the Peacebuilding Commission, with support 
from BINUB and the United Nations Country team, to 
continue to assist the Government of Burundi in laying the 
foundations for sustainable peace and security and 
long-term development in Burundi and in mobilizing the 
resources needed to achieve these aims, including for the 
coming elections ; 
¶10.     Underscores the importance of the disarmament, 
demobilization and reintegration process and urges all 
international partners, in particular BINUB and UNDP and 
the World Bank, to ensure that there are no gaps in 
resources and capacities during the interim period between 
the Multi-country Demobilization and Reintegration 
Programme and the establishment of the Burundi-specific 
trust fund mechanism ; 
¶11.     Encourages in this regard the Government of 
Burundi, in collaboration with all international partners, 
to elaborate a disarmament, demobilization and 
reintegration strategy and to lay the foundations for the 
sustainable socio-economic re-integration of demobilized 
soldiers, ex-combatants, returning refugees, the displaced 
and other vulnerable groups affected by the conflict, 
particularly women and children, in accordance with 
Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) 1612 (2005), 1674 
(2006) and 1820 (2008) ; 
¶12.     Encourages the Government of Burundi, with the 
support of BINUB and other partners, to ensure that 
national consultations on the establishment of 
transitional justice mechanisms are begun as soon as 
possible, without further delay ; 
¶13.     Encourages the Government of Burundi to pursue 
its efforts to broaden the respect and protection of human 
rights, including through the establishment of an National 
Independent Human Rights Commission, bearing in mind  the 
Paris Principles outlines in General Assembly resolution 
48/134 and further encourages it to end impunity and to 
take the necessary measures to ensure its citizens fully 
enjoy their civil, political, social, economic, cultural 
rights without fear or intimidation, as enshrined in the 
Constitution of Burundi and provided for in by 
international human rights instruments, including those 
ratified by Burundi ; 
¶14.     Expresses in particular its concern at the 
continuing sexual and gender-based violence, and urges the 
Government to take the necessary steps, including through 
specific legislation to prevent further violations and to 
ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, in 
accordance with international law ; 
¶15.     Demands that the Palipehutu-FNL and other armed 
groups  release unconditionally and without further delay 
all children associated with them and emphasizes the need 
for their sustainable reintegration and reinsertion ; 
¶16.     Urges BINUB to strengthen current provisions 
for cooperation with the United Nations Organisation 
Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), 
within the limits of their respective capacities and 
current mandate ; 
¶17.     Encourages the Executive Representative of the 
Secretary-General to pursue his action to enhance the 
integration and effectiveness of United Nations efforts on 
the ground in support of the implementation of the 
Strategic framework for Peacebuilding in Burundi and of 
the recovery and development priorities of the Government 
and people of Burundi ; 
¶18.     Requests the Secretary-General to report by May 
2009 to the Council on the implementation of the mandate 
of BINUB, including on the results of the technical 
assessment mission he intends to conduct early in 2009 and 
to incorporate in his report any recommendations that may 
guide the Security Council in deciding on the future 
direction of BINUB ; 
¶19.     Decides to remain actively seized of the 
matter. 
RICE