VZCZCXRO3303
OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBZ RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHDU RUEHFL RUEHGI
RUEHIK RUEHJO RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHNP RUEHPA
RUEHPOD RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHTRO RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUCNDT #0713/01 2031126
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221126Z JUL 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6965
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000713 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF, IO, PM, USUN/W 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MARR MOPS KPKO UNSC DJ
ER, SO 
SUBJECT: U/SYG PASCOE UPDATES SECURITY COUNCIL ON 
DJIBOUTI-ERITREA BORDER DISPUTE 
 
¶1.  Summary:  (SBU) In July 21 consultations on the 
Djibouti-Eritrea border dispute, U/SYG Pascoe told the 
Security Council that Eritrea has failed to comply with UNSC 
Resolution 1862, which calls on Eritrea to recognize the 
dispute, accept mediation and withdraw its forces.  Council 
members unanimously pointed to Eritrea as holding primary 
responsibility for the impasse, while welcoming steps taken 
by Djibouti and supporting U/SYG Pascoe's diplomatic efforts. 
 Several members of the Council expressed concern that a 
continued lack of progress would undermine Security Council 
legitimacy, and many urged the Council to view the dispute in 
the context of regional dynamics, including the situation in 
Somalia.  Many Security Council members were open to 
addressing Eritrea's defiance via new Council action, while 
China, Japan, Vietnam, Turkey and Libya focused exclusively 
on continuing efforts towards dialogue.  End Summary 
 
Pascoe Offers Little Positive News 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) In July 21 Security Council consultations on the 
Djibouti-Eritrea border dispute, Under Secretary General for 
UN Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe told the Council that there 
is no indication of Eritrean withdrawal from the disputed 
Djiboutian territories of Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island as 
required by UNSC Resolution 1862.  Pascoe stated that since 
his last briefing in April, the Eritrean government has 
ignored all diplomatic efforts for a peaceful settlement of 
the dispute in spite of multiple attempts by the 
international community to engage.  Pascoe said he plans to 
send a delegation to Asmara within the next few weeks to 
probe for positive signs.  In response to a question about 
the likelihood of Eritrean engagement, Pascoe stated that at 
the African Union Summit in Sirte, the Eritrean delegation 
understood that, "they were in a bind that made no sense." 
He also said that the Eritreans have shown some interest in 
the date of his delegation's visit, which can be interpreted 
as a positive sign.  Pascoe ended by stating that the role 
Eritrea is playing throughout the Horn of Africa is not 
constructive, and that his team will continue to pursue 
discussions with the aim of modifying its behavior. 
 
Eritrean Recalcitrance 
---------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Council members almost uniformly censured Eritrea 
for its failure to comply with UNSC Resolution 1862, while 
welcoming steps taken by Djibouti and supporting Pascoe's 
diplomatic efforts.  Ambassador DiCarlo pointed to Eritrea's 
lack of cooperation, stating that Eritrea must avoid further 
conflict in the region and engage with the international 
community before it is too late.  France and the United 
Kingdom both emphasized that Djibouti's concerns should also 
be addressed.  China was the most cautions, stating that the 
two sides must "dispassionately" address the dispute, while 
clearly putting the onus on Eritrea to take, "more active and 
positive steps," to resolve the impasse.  Others 
characterized Eritrea's reluctance less diplomatically, with 
Croatia highlighting Eritrea's, "blatant disregard for the 
facts," and Turkey stating that the Council needs to find the 
right incentives to draw out Eritrea from its, "state of 
denial."  Libya similarly regretted Eritrea's failure to 
accept the resolution's demands, and called on Eritrea to 
responsibly address the issue.  Uganda and Burkino Faso both 
highlighted Eritrea's unresponsiveness and lack of 
cooperation, while inviting Eritrea to conform to the 
repeated demands of the international community. 
 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Several expressed concern that Eritrea's cavalier 
position vis--vis UNSC Resolution 1862 risked undermining 
the Council's power and legitimacy.  Austria deplored 
Eritrea's failure to receive the Somalia Sanctions Committee 
for their fact-finding mission, and noted that Eritrea's 
actions risked leaving the Security Council with a 
"credibility problem."  Japan and Mexico similarly pointed to 
the lack of progress with the last six months as undermining 
the credibility of the Council.  Uganda was the most vocal 
about this issue, pointing to the frustrations of Djibouti, 
the UN system and the Security Council about the lack of 
progress.  Uganda stated that the SC should be ready to, 
"take appropriate measures," as the Council will become, 
"less powerful if ignored." 
 
The Regional Backdrop 
--------------------- 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000713  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶5. (SBU) Most Council members addressed the Djibouti-Eritrea 
conflict in the context of the larger Horn of Africa dynamic. 
 The US, UK, France, Costa Rica, Mexico, Austria, China, 
Libya and Vietnam all expressed concern about Eritrea's 
impact on the wider region, with many Council members 
pointing to Eritrea's efforts to undermine peace in Somalia 
as yet another example of the country's lack of cooperation. 
China emphasized that it is not in the Council's interest to 
allow the conflict to spill over into the Horn of Africa. 
Libya recommended that the Security Council address the 
Djibouti-Eritrea border dispute not in a piecemeal fashion, 
but via a broad dialogue about the problems of the entire 
region. France took note that Somalia's Transitional Federal 
Government has accused Eritrea of helping to arm the 
insurgency. 
 
Next Steps:  Continuing Dialogue vs. Sanctions 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶6.  (SBU) While most Council members agreed that Eritrea was 
culpable for the failure of progress on the border dispute, a 
variety of options were raised for consideration.  France, 
Russia, Chile, Costa Rica and Austria discussed the idea of 
sanctioning Eritrean individuals via the framework of UNSC 
Resolution 1844 (which established a targeted sanctions 
framework on those who undermined stability in Somalia). 
Russia made a point of stating that they do not oppose adding 
new names to the Somalia Sanctions list, but that new names 
must be, "very well based." Austria stated that the Council 
should, "operate within the system and framework available to 
us," pointing to the Somalia Sanctions Committee as the 
clearest path.  France similarly supported taking this route, 
suggesting that the Council could explicitly state that any 
new sanctions on individuals are a response to Eritrean 
actions in Djibouti.  Costa Rica also supported the idea of 
adding Eritrean names to the Somalia Sanctions list, calling 
it, "the appropriate action to take."  The US, UK and Uganda 
all stated that the Security Council should be prepared to 
take appropriate measures to address Eritrea's lack of 
action. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) China, Japan, Vietnam, Libya and Turkey were 
overall more moderate, with a focus on continuing dialogue 
with Eritrea.  Turkey stressed the importance of identifying 
the "right incentives" to allow a "face saving settlement" 
with Eritrea, urging the African Union and other 
international organizations to avoid tactics that lead to 
isolation.  Libya stated that the Council should address the 
dispute in a "very serious and comprehensive manner," urging 
"direct dialogue" between the parties.  China placed the 
primary responsibility on Djibouti and Eritrea to resolve the 
dispute, while urging the African Union, the United Nations 
and the two countries concerned to, "play their comparative 
advantages and create a practical and feasible strategy," for 
furthering dialogue. 
 
 
 
 
RICE