VZCZCXRO4299
OO RUEHGI
DE RUEHC #7339/01 3460052
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 120051Z DEC 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9049
INFO RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI PRIORITY 1517

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 127339 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CT PREL PGOV PHUM PINR
SUBJECT: CAR: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR DECEMBER 15 UNSC 
CONSULTATIONS 
 
¶1. This is an action request.  USUN should draw from the 
statement in paragraph 2 for the UN Security Council 
consultations on the Central African Republic (CAR) on 
December 15. End action request. 
 
¶2. Begin statement: 
 
Special Representative Zewde (Zow-day), thank you for your 
briefing to the Council today.  The U.S. Government fully 
supports BONUCA as the voice of the international community 
in CAR. 
 
We recognize the progress made in the Central African 
Republic, but this is a critical juncture for CAR.  Despite 
some progress in disarmament, demobilization and 
reintegration (DDR), there are many remaining security 
challenges.  The constitution requires elections to take 
place before June 2010 and the plans for a first round of 
voting in late April leaves the country with little time to 
organize and hold the ballot.  As BONUCA transitions to an 
Integrated Peacebuilding Office (BINUCA), the need for better 
coordination among UN offices in the region has never been 
greater. 
 
I,d like to briefly discuss three issues: security 
challenges, elections, and DDR. 
 
Security Challenges 
 
Despite the considerable work of the UN to achieve the 
Inclusive Political Dialogue in 2008, new outbreaks of rebel 
activity and inter-ethnic violence, by new groups, continue 
in the CAR. 
 
CAR,s inability to control territory along its borders with 
Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sudan 
underscores the tenuous nature of peace in the region.  The 
increase in IDPs and refugees resulting from this lack of 
security requires UN agencies to increase their regional 
cooperation. We support greater cooperation among UN missions 
in the region -- both peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The 
return of the Lord,s Resistance Army to the CAR underscores 
this need. 
 
Elections 
 
Time is short.  If elections are to take place in April, the 
necessary technical preparations must be completed and an 
enabling environment must be in place to support peaceful and 
credible elections.  We support BONUCA and UNDP,s efforts in 
this regard. 
 
Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) 
 
The DDR process is moving forward.  We are concerned, 
however, that with many different sources of funding and 
ideas about planning, there has been insufficient 
coordination of efforts.  We look to BONUCA to foster 
cohesion, coordination, transparency and accountability for 
all stakeholders involved in DDR, particularly by holding the 
CARG accountable for the $18 million in Central African and 
Monetary Community (CEMAC) funds that was provided for DDR. 
 
A timely start is essential.  We are concerned by reports 
that one key rebel faction has withdrawn from the DDR 
program, as well as reports that two days ago, ex-combatants 
turned away a delegation from the Peacebuilding Commission 
(PBC) because they were frustrated with delays in 
implementing DDR.  We further note that there are several new 
armed groups that have never joined the peace process. 
 
Sustained DDR depends on a comprehensive approach.  Careful 
planning needs to link and synchronize employment programs 
such as road construction ) part of the reintegration phase 
- with the disarmament and demobilization phases of DDR. 
BONUCA must continue to encourage the CARG to accept its 
responsibility for the development of the nation. 
 
Conclusion/Transition to BINUCA 
 
We look forward to the establishment of the UN Integrated 
Peacebuilding Office in CAR (BINUCA).  We hope that this 
integration will promote development of one coherent 
peacebuilding strategy, as all the issues we,ve discussed 
today are interrelated and none can be addressed in isolation. 
 
Possible Questions to Ask 
 
STATE 00127339  002 OF 002 
 
 
In your view, will elections be technically possible in the 
constitutionally mandated March/April timeframe?  What 
additional efforts are needed now to make elections possible 
in the second quarter of next year? 
 
What are your thoughts on the pace of DDR and what can be 
done to improve coordination between the CAR and its 
international partners? 
 
How will the transition to BINUCA provide you with the 
necessary tools to pull together the UN country team, 
CAR,s partners, and other stakeholders in support of 
national peacebuilding? 
 
What percentage of individual cases of abuse by the CAR 
security forces have been closed by BONUCA or considered 
adequately resolved after BONUCA has raised these cases with 
the CAR,s national prosecutor? 
CLINTON