VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3273 0131628
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 131620Z JAN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0000
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA PRIORITY 0000
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 003273 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC PREL DJ ER ET XA XW
SUBJECT: DJIBOUT-ERITREA: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR FRENCH 
RESOLUTION 
 
¶1.  USUN is instructed to vote in favor of the following 
French resolution on the Djibouti-Eritrea crisis. 
 
Begin text 
 
The Security Council 
 
Affirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, 
independence, territorial integrity and unity of both 
Djibouti and Eritrea, and recalling the importance of the 
principles of good-neighbourliness, non-interference and 
regional cooperation, 
 
Recalling that in  the statement of its President dated 12 
June 2008 (S/PRST/2008/20) it condemned Eritrea's military 
action against Djibouti in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira 
Island and called upon the two parties to show maximum 
restraint and withdraw forces to the status quo ante, 
 
Taking note of the letter of the Secretary-General dated 
11 September 2008 (S/2008/602) in which he transmitted the 
report of the fact-finding mission he sent following its 
5924 meeting (S/PV/5924), 
 
Expressing its deep concern that, as mentioned in the 
report of the fact-finding mission referred to above, 
Eritrea has not withdrawn its forces to the status quo 
ante, as called for by the Security Council in the 
statement of its President dated 12 June 2008(S/PRST/2008/20), 
 
Reiterating its serious concern at the absence of dialogue 
between the two parties, and at the refusal of Eritrea so 
far to engage in dialogue, or to accept bilateral 
contacts, mediation or facilitation efforts by 
sub-regional or regional organizations or to respond 
positively to the efforts of the Secretary-General, 
 
Noting that Djibouti has withdrawn its forces to the 
status quo ante and has cooperated fully with the 
fact-finding mission mentioned above, as well as with 
other missions sent by sub-regional and regional 
organizations, 
 
Taking note of the first visit to Asmara, since the 
conflict of June 2008, of the Chairperson of the 
Commission of the African Union in October 2008, 
 
Expressing its deep concern about the continuing tense 
border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea and over the 
possible impact of the grave and unstable security 
situation in the area of Doumeira on sub-regional 
stability and security after the serious incidents of 10 
June 2008, which led to dozens of deaths and wounded, 
 
¶1. Urges Djibouti and Eritrea to resolve their border 
dispute peacefully, as a matter of priority and in a 
manner consistent with international law, and emphasizes 
that it is the primary responsibility of the parties to 
set up the appropriate diplomatic and legal framework to 
this end ; 
 
¶2. Reiterates its appreciation for the efforts by the 
Secretary-General, the African Union and the Arab League 
to engage both parties, encourages them to strengthen 
their efforts in this regard and encourages also regional 
and sub-regional organizations as well as Members States 
that are in a position to provide their assistance to this 
end to do so; 
 
¶3. Welcomes the offer of good offices made by the 
Secretary-General, deeply regrets that Eritrea has 
continuously refused to grant visas to the members of the 
fact-finding mission mentioned above, or to receive any 
envoy by the Secretary-General, and welcomes the continued 
readiness of the Secretary-General to send a fact-finding 
mission or an envoy to Eritrea; 
 
¶4. Welcomes the fact that Djibouti has withdrawn its 
forces to the status quo ante, as called for by the 
Security Council in the statement of its President dated 
12 June 2008 (S/PRST/2008/20) and established by the 
fact-finding mission, and condemns the refusal of Eritrea 
to do so; 
 
¶5. Demands that Eritrea : 
 
i) Withdraw its forces and all their equipment to the 
positions of the status quo ante, and ensure that no 
military presence or activity is being pursued in the area 
where the conflict occurred in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira 
island in June 2008, and 
 
ii) Acknowledge its border dispute with Djibouti in Ras 
Doumeira and Doumeira island, engage actively in dialogue 
to defuse the tension and engage also in diplomatic 
efforts leading to a mutually acceptable settlement of the 
border issue, and 
 
iii) Abide by its international obligations as a member of 
the United Nations, respect the principles mentioned in 
article 2, paragraphs 3, 4, and 5, and article 33 of the 
Charter, and cooperate fully with the Secretary-General, 
in particular through his proposal of good offices 
mentioned in paragraph 3; 
 
¶6. Demands that Eritrea comply immediately with paragraph 
5 above and, in any case, no later than five weeks after 
the adoption of this resolution; 
 
¶7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide to it a 
report on the evolution of the situation, and on the 
compliance by both parties with their obligations, and on 
his contacts with both parties and, as appropriate, with 
the African Union and other relevant regional 
organizations no later than six weeks after the adoption 
of this resolution; 
 
¶8. Decides to review the situation six weeks from the 
adoption of this resolution, on the basis of the report 
mentioned in paragraph 7, with a view to taking, as 
appropriate, further decision; 
 
¶9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. 
 
end text. 
RICE