VZCZCXYZ0012
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3056 1182341
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 282322Z APR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE IMMEDIATE 0000

UNCLAS STATE 043056 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC
SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL WORKING GROUP -- APRIL 29 
MEETING:  MONUC AND MINUSTAH 
 
REF: STATE 4905 
 
¶1. (SBU)  Context:  In January 2009 the French and UK 
circulated a non-paper on the challenges facing UN 
peacekeeping, with a focus on strategic oversight, matching 
mandates and resources, setting clear political objectives 
and establishing benchmarks for progress.  The paper was 
discussed in an informal seminar to which senior UN civilian 
and military officials were invited, followed by an open 
debate of the Security Council.  This paper launched a 
collaborative process aimed at an in-depth policy review of 
UN peacekeeping, to be wrapped up in August, during the UK 
Presidency of the Security Council.  Japan, as chair of the 
Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations, is 
chairing a series of meetings to review such issues as the 
gaps between mandates and implementation, best practices, 
interaction between the Security Council and Troop 
Contributing Countries (TCCs), and the links between the 
various stages of a peace process from conflict resolution 
through peacekeeping to peacebuilding.  The April 29 meeting 
will discuss these thematic issues in the specific context of 
MONUC and MINUSTAH; subsequent meetings will consider these 
themes in relation to other field missions.  The UN 
Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and Department 
of Field Support (DFS) have launched the "New Horizons 
Project", a multiphase process which is intended to produce 
agreement on a set of concrete reforms and strategies, with a 
goal of incorporating consolidated views into the 
Secretary-General's report on peacekeeping in November.   As 
part of that project, DPKO has commissioned a paper from an 
institute at NYU on the major issues facing peacekeeping over 
the next two to five years which should be completed in the 
near future; we expect that the conclusions of that paper 
will be folded into the Security Council review and the 
August 2009 discussions.  USUN may draw on the talking points 
in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 for the April 29 meeting. 
 
¶2. (U)  Overview: 
 
-- The United States views UN peacekeeping as one of the key 
tools the Security Council has available for carrying out its 
responsibilities in matters affecting international peace and 
security. 
 
-- We recognize the dedication and sacrifice of the more than 
one hundred thousand people serving in and supporting 
peacekeeping operations around the world. 
 
-- We welcome this initiative to conduct a serious, in-depth 
discussion of the interplay of mandates, political will, 
resources, capability -- the many complex issues that support 
or undermine success. 
 
-- It is time to review where focused international attention 
could increase the chances of existing UN missions being 
successfully concluded and closed.  This includes attention 
to reviving political processes, helping the Secretariat to 
generate the forces and enablers it needs, and support to 
host governments in matters of governance and economic 
recovery. 
 
-- We agree that the Council's review over the next few 
months should pay particular attention to the largest, most 
complex and most expensive missions. 
 
-- The United States stresses that the key to this review is 
to keep the emphasis on "success."  We support orderly draw 
down in relation to measurable and sustainable progress, not 
arbitrary down-sizing.  We have all made substantial 
investments -- both financial and human -- to support UN 
peacekeeping operations.  Our goal is to measure what is 
achievable and sustainable, in each unique situation.  There 
cannot be "one size fits all." 
 
-- With regard to future missions, the United States supports 
efforts by the Council to improve the chances of success by 
making a realistic assessment of the conditions -- including 
such key elements as political will and available resources 
-- and reviewing the full range of options. 
 
-- We look forward to the results of the Secretariat's "New 
Horizons" project and to recommendations on systematic steps 
and enhancements. 
 
¶3. (U) MONUC: 
 
-- The Council,s efforts in December to clarify MONUC,s 
mandate through prioritization was a positive step forward. 
MONUC now has a better understanding of the ranking of its 
mandate and that the protection of civilians is its top 
priority.  We may want to consider a similar approach in 
other missions/future missions to avoid confusion on the 
ground and help in planning. 
 
-- We are pleased to see that the Technical Assessment 
Mission (TAM) and MONUC have initiated work on the 
development of a strategic work plan with benchmarks.  We 
would be interested in receiving more information on this 
work plan, including when DPKO expects to have a final 
product, when it will be shared with the Council, and whether 
the Council will have an opportunity to comment/help craft 
the plan. 
 
-- We remain seriously concerned about the delay in the 
deployment of the additional troops and assets.  It is nearly 
six months since the Council authorized the increase, but the 
troops have not yet arrived in the DRC to take up their 
duties.  We would like to know when these additional troops 
and assets will be deployed and what is causing the delay, in 
particular with regard to secured troops and assets.  We 
would also be interested in knowing whether DPKO is 
considering any offers for the remaining outstanding air and 
intelligence assets and military advisors. 
 
¶4. (U) MINUSTAH: 
 
-- Thanks in large part to the efforts of MINUSTAH, Haiti has 
made significant progress in consolidating security.  Given 
the difficulties the country faced in 2008, however, we 
understand that progress in some key areas has fallen short 
of expectations.  The Security Council will continue to 
monitor events on the ground and alongside the 
Secretary-General will evaluate the timelines set out for 
meeting these benchmarks. 
 
-- The gains made in the security sector in Haiti are fragile 
and this progress must now be closely linked to coordination 
and relief efforts, including implementation of aspects of 
the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the Post 
Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), and the GOH,s New Paradigm 
paper. 
 
-- Now more than ever, MINUSTAH and the UN Country Team 
should increase their efforts in strategic coordination, not 
only focusing on civil and military affairs and development, 
but also more broadly on a peacebuilding perspective, 
including an emphasis on social dialogue and political 
processes.  A focus on peacebuilding may also broaden 
Haiti,s donor base, allowing for increased progress in the 
Mission,s benchmarks. 
CLINTON