Consultations on Côte d'Ivoire, Somalia and Eritrea
Friday, 19 July 2013, 5:02 pm
Press Release: <
http://info.scoop.co.nz/US_State_Department> US State
Department
<
http://usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/212137.htm> U.S. Mission to the
United Nations: Remarks at the Security Council Stakeout Following
Consultations on Côte d'Ivoire, Somalia and Eritrea
Ambassador DeLaurentis: Good afternoon, everyone. Sorry to be so late. I
hope you had a chance to eat something beforehand. Let me say a couple
things about this morning’s session, and then I’ll take a couple questions.
This morning, Under-Secretary-General Hervé Ladsous reviewed the progress
and challenges in Côte d’Ivoire. Ladsous noted that while President Ouattara
has introduced important political and economic reforms, the pace of
disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of the country’s estimated
65,000 former combatants remains uneven.
Ladsous indicated that the security situation, especially along the
Ivoirian-Liberian border, remains fragile, and reported on the efforts of
UNOCI and UNMIL to assist the governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia to
improve cross-border security. He also noted that inter-mission cooperation
between UNOCI and the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission
in Mali—MINUSMA—is currently being considered. Council members noted
progress in some areas and remaining challenges, including the security
situation.
In my national capacity, I would like to note that the United States
welcomes the important progress Côte d’Ivoire has achieved since the
post-electoral crisis. We remain concerned that insufficient progress on
national reconciliation and SSR/DDR threatens to undermine these gains and
continue to urge the Ivoirian Government to redouble its commitment to
professionalizing the security forces, to investigate the crimes committed
by all sides in the post-electoral conflict, and to address the underlying
causes of conflict. As we review and consider UNOCI’s mandate, we must keep
in mind the Council’s responsibility to help safeguard the region against a
return to violence.
Turning now to the Horn of Africa. Republic of Korea Ambassador Kim Sook, in
his capacity as the Chair of the Somalia/Eritrea Sanctions Committee,
briefed the Council on the Committee’s work over the last 180 days,
including Committee deliberations over the Somalia/Eritrea Monitoring
Group’s Final Report.
Council members had a good discussion related to a number of key issues
concerning Somalia and Eritrea. Council members roundly expressed concern
that Al Shabaab continues to benefit from the banned charcoal trade and
poses a serious threat to Somalia and the region.
We also discussed the significant progress the Somali Government has made,
as well as the challenges it still faces, particularly in the areas of
security sector reform, management of public finances and strict compliance
with sanctions measures.
Finally, Council members also spoke about the role of regional governments
and the need for all regional partners to work toward building a peaceful,
stable Somalia, including by implementing sanctions obligations. With that,
I’m happy to take a couple of questions.
Reporter: Mr. Ambassador, could you tell us the status of the report—the
Panel of Experts report—on the Somalia/Eritrea sanctions issue? If there was
a discussion of its release and what the problems are?
Ambassador DeLaurentis: Well, there are two reports – the Somalia report and
the Eritrea report. The Somalia report was released, and we remain deeply
troubled by some of the Monitoring Group’s findings, and we encourage the
Eritrean Government to play a productive role in the region. With respect to
the other, as it remains with the Committee, it’s still a confidential
document, and we’ll continue to discuss the release of it. But beyond that
I’m really not able to make any further comment about it.
Reporter: Just on the ship, the North Korean ship, that was seized in
Panama. They asked the UN for help yesterday. Could you tell us what steps
will be taken now?
Ambassador DeLaurentis: Well, there’s – first of all, I should say the
United States commends the actions of the Government of Panama in bringing
this swiftly to the Committee. Efforts are ongoing to determine the contents
of the vessel. We’ve been saying in Washington and I will continue here that
shipment of most or related material to and from North Korea would violate
UN sanctions, UN Council Resolutions 1718, 1874, and 2094. We understand
that the group will be visiting Panama very soon, and we’ll start the
investigation. And then we’ll take it from there.
Reporter: I’m going to ask you, on Côte d’Ivoire, there was a discussion of
this killing of perceived Gbagbo supporters in the Nahibly camp in Duékoué,
and also there’s an allegation there that the UN peacekeepers sort of either
stood by or didn’t protect civilians, and I wanted to know what’s happening
with that. And also did the U.S. meet with Sudan in the last few days or
quite possibly during the Syria meeting on the topic of the seven killed
peacekeepers in Darfur and what, what are the next steps to actually
determine who’s responsible for those killings? Thanks.
Ambassador DeLaurentis: On the first, I do not believe that issue came up,
but perhaps we can get some additional information on that. On the second,
the Sudanese ambassador did, in fact, did come to the Presidency to
essentially outline the points in his letter of July 15th it was, with
respect to the recent attack and indicated that they would investigate and
try to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Reporter: Is there a Tanzanian role in that investigation as well? Because
Tanzania said it’s sending, like, its own people. Just wanted to understand
how, with the new schedule…
Ambassador DeLaurentis: Yeah, I’m not sure of the details of that. You’re
quite right, the Tanzanians did say that they were going to send their, send
a team as well to have a look. We haven’t had any further details about
that.
Thank you.
Received on Fri Jul 19 2013 - 14:45:37 EDT