VZCZCXYZ0012
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #4127 0150014
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150008Z JAN 10
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 004127 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL XA BY UNSC
SUBJECT: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR JANUARY 15 UNSC 
CONSULTATIONS ON BINUB 
 
¶1.  USUN is instructed to pursue the objectives in paragraph 
2 and draw from the points in paragraph 3 during the January 
15 Security Council consultations on Burundi listed under 
&other matters8 and in conversation with the Burundian 
Permrep.  USUN should also support a Security Council Press 
Statement but should refer back to the Department regarding 
its language.  USUN is also instructed to push the UN 
Department of Political Affairs (DPA) to appoint a new 
Executive Representative for the Secretary General (ERSG) for 
Burundi as soon as possible. 
 
¶2.    Objective:  Use the briefing to emphasize the 
importance of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) to 
conducting free, fair, and credible elections in Burundi and 
to call on DPA to expedite its selection of a replacement for 
BINUB Executive Representative Mahmoud.  Emphasize that 
decisions to replace ERSGs and SRSGs should not be taken 
lightly or merely at the request of the host country and that 
host governments and others must follow standard procedures 
for voicing any grievances.  The manner in which ERSGs 
Mahmoud was recalled is not acceptable. 
 
¶3.    Begin points: 
 
-- The United States regrets the dismissal of Executive 
Representative Mahmoud.  His dismissal raises the concern 
that BINUB will not have an executive representative during 
the approaching election cycle. 
 
-- President Nkurunziza has called for the elections to be 
free, fair, and credible to the Burundian people.  We have 
supported this aim by programming nearly $4 million in 
elections-related projects. 
 
-- President Nkurunziza requested a large international 
observer presence before, during, and after the elections. 
We agree that a strong international presence is essential to 
support the 2010 electoral process. 
 
-- A strong and independent BINUB is of vital importance to 
ensure the quality of the Burundian elections.  However, 
Burundi,s request for ERSG Mahmoud,s recall undermines 
BINUB,s ability to carry out its mandate as set forth in 
Security Council resolution 1902, which sets as a priority 
for BINUB assistance for the 2010 elections.  Election 
planning and preparation is already underway in Burundi. 
 
-- At this crucial time, BINUB needs an executive 
representative who can support free and fair elections by 
lending his or her independent voice to the electoral process 
and ensuring that elections are conducted in accordance with 
international standards.  BINUB is working intensively with 
international partners to coordinate election assistance 
work, including: providing voter education and assisting the 
Government to provide national identity cards.  BINUB has a 
crucial role to play as an honest broker and a neutral party 
in Burundi. The executive representative must be able to 
speak out if the Government of Burundi gets off track. 
 
-- We urge the Department of Political Affairs to appoint a 
new executive representative for BINUB as soon as possible to 
guarantee continuity on the ground and BINUB,s ability to 
carry out its mandate.  In the upcoming elections, Burundi 
faces a critical test of its peace process and its transition 
to a stable, secure democracy.  The Government of Burundi has 
asked for UN support as it meets this important challenge. 
The rapid deployment of a new executive representative will 
assure that BINUB is able to provide this support and 
assistance in a meaningful way. 
 
-- We urge that all of Burundi,s partners remain engaged 
during this critical transition period in the peace process. 
The international partners should consider developing a 
mechanism as appropriate, and as a matter of urgency, to 
coordinate their efforts to facilitate the peace process. 
 
-- Finally, the United States would like to make a general 
point regarding the dismissal of ERSGs and SRSGs. 
Representatives of the Secretary General are the highest UN 
authorities in the countries in which they serve.  As such, 
decisions to dismiss them should not be taken lightly. 
Abruptly removing ERSGs and SRSGs merely upon the request of 
the host country disrupts the mission on the ground and 
creates an unproductive atmosphere that threatens the 
independence and neutrality of the Secretary General,s 
representatives.  The situation in Burundi must not become a 
precedent or acceptable behavior for other countries in their 
dealings with ERSGs and SRSGs.  We as a Council should 
communicate clearly our displeasure with the Government of 
Burundi,s handling of this situation and send a strong 
message to the government that it is not acceptable to call 
for the recall of UN personnel every time there is a 
disagreement. 
CLINTON