& Note to Mr. Kalomoh URGENT International Conference on the Great Lakes Region 1. On behalf of the Secretary-General, thank you for your note of 27 May. 2. The Secretary-General would prefer to send letters to the leaders of the core countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) that object to the inclusion of Angola and the Republic of Congo as full members of the Conference. 3. I would be grateful if the letters could be prepared by 3 June. Thank you. Sflqbsfl Riza 1 June 2004 Mr. Prendergast Mr. Guehenno Mr. Fall Mr. Menkerios Mr. Hayford EOSG / CENTRAL /i/i iO H i E *. t» anS.cfc.y Note to the Secretary-General ... * EXECUTIVE OFFICE ^ L OFTHESECRETARY-GENFRM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GREAT LAKES REGION " 1. JQie non-resolution of theL question of participation in the Conference is delaying progress in the preparatory process. Initially participants were divided into two groups of countries: (i) core countries (Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia); and (ii) observers. However, after some neighbouring countries (including Angola and RoC) requested full participation in the process, the core countries decided to grant all 11 neighbours a hybrid status of co-opted members instead of admitting them in the core group. As co-opted members, the neighbouring countries will have more rights than mere observers but will not participate hi decision-making as full members do. 2. Angola and RoC are not contentwith the status of co-opted member and are now insisting that i they shouldl5ecome full members of the core group. TrleTJRC actively supports their position, while I countries such as Rwanda and Uganda would like to restrict the coYe group to its seven current ' members. At ajripartjtejniiuslerial meeting held in_Luanda on 3-4Jylay, Angola, RoC and DRC adopted a common position for full membership for Angola and RoC on the basis of the PRST of November 2003, which stressed "the importance of the participation in this conference of all States concerned, in particular those neighbouring the DRC or Burundi". They also agreed to dispatch a joint high-level mission to meet with the Heads of State of the core countries and explain their common position. 3. Ahead of that high level mission, President Konare promised to speak to the leaders of the core countries stressing to them that they should make every effort to help resolve the issue of participation Jn_the Great Lakes Conference, including the request by Angola and RoC for full membership. In this connection, we believe that it would be also useful if you werejo speak to the leaders of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, as suggested by Mr. Fall, along We following lines: • Thank each Head of State for the active and positive participation of his country in the preparatory process of the International Conference; • Seek each Head of State's personal support and co-operation to ensure that every effort will be made to resolve the issue of the request of Angola and RoC for full membership in the Conference. This will allow substantive preparation to proceed without further delay; • The inclusion of Angola and RoC as full members would entail certain advantages. As full members, Angola and RoC would, in addition to enjoying certain rights, be bound by a number of obligations, such as the obligation to cooperate fully in addressing the question of armed groups that have sought refuge in their territories, the obligation to ensure the security of their borders with other countries and to control the flow of small arms. Tuliameni Kalomoh 27 May 2004 cc: Mr. Prendergast Mr. Guehenno Mr. Fall Mr. Menkerios 06/01/2004 TUB 16:14 FAX 1 212 963 3826 i]001 *** TX REPORT *** TRANSMISSION OK TX/RX NO 0742 CONNECTION TEL 212 963 1323 CONNECTION ID UNDPA OASG II ST. TIME 06/01 16:14 USAGE T 00'18 PCS. SENT 1 RESULT OK 06/01/2004 TUB 16:17 FAX 1 212 963 3826 Ig]001 *** TX REPORT *** TRANSMISSION OK TX/RX NO 0745 CONNECTION TEL 1 212 963 5065 CONNECTION ID UN DPA OUSG ST. TIME 06/01 16:17 USAGE T 00'18 PCS. SENT 1 RESULT OK 06/01/2004 TUE 16:15 FAX 1 212 963 3826 *s* TX REPORT *** TRANSMISSION OK TX/RX NO 0743 CONNECTION TEL CONNECTION ID ST. TIME 06/01 16:14 USAGE T 00'18 PCS. SENT 1 RESULT OK 06/01/2004 TUB 16:16 FAX 1 212 963 3826 @]001 TX REPORT *** TRANSMISSION OK TX/RX NO 0744 CONNECTION TEL 1 212 963 8976 CONNECTION ID AFRICA I DPA ST. TIME 06/01 16:15 USAGE T 00'18 PCS. SENT 1 RESULT OK.