Cablegate: Sudan/Darfur: Cfc Meeting in El Fasher

VZCZCXRO0813
PP RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1793 2061700
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251700Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3894
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001793

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO PREF SOCI UN AU SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN/DARFUR: CFC Meeting in El Fasher
1. (SBU) Summary and background: On July 24, the Darfur Ceasefire
Commission (CFC) met in El Fasher, Darfur. Para 2 presents the
notes of the U.S. CFC representative. Noteworthy is that this is
the first meeting in at least a month in which the AMIS Force

Commander has participated, that the SLM/Minawi representative was
not present for the second meeting in a row, and that a draft copy
of the Sudanese Government's Janjaweed disarmament plan was
circulated for discussion on July 25. End summary and background.

2. (SBU) The U.S. CFC representative's notes are as follows:
The meeting convened with the Force Commander, Maj Gen Ihikire,
chairing. This was the first meeting he had been present for in at
least a month.

The agenda had four items:

1. Security of IDPs and IDP Camps
2. Plan to disarm the Janjaweed
3. Use of AMIS aircraft
4. Complaints, Violations, and Investigation Reports
5. Any other business

The FC started by discussing a report of SLA (M) personnel entering
IDP camps while carrying weapons, thus intimidating residents. He
said that SLA was not acting in good faith and he condemned the
alleged actions. The GOS rep (Brig Gen Mubarek) indicated that GoS
had spoken to SLA (M) about the incidents and that SLA (M) would
handle the matter. The FC indicated that Parties who wanted to
enter the IDP camps must check in with the nearest Mil Group Site
(MGS) and obtain an AMIS escort before entering IDP camps.

There was a request from SLA (W) rep to disclose the location of all
IDP camps and under whose control they are, so that Parties would
know where and who to contact. FC took this under advisement.

The FC then jumped to item three -- AMIS aircraft. He produced a
letter from the AMIS Deputy Head of Mission, announcing to all
Parties that AMIS aircraft can only be used for operational AMIS
purposes. He continued by stating that DPA implementation
organizations should/will have their own budgets, logistical
arrangements, etc., and that these organizations would have to
support their own activities.

Before this issue could be discussed, the FC interjected that he
just noticed that the EU rep, Brig Gen Pitty, and the SLA (M) rep
were not present. After some bluster, the FC recessed the meeting
for one hour in order to locate both reps.

The meeting reconvened one hour later with BG Pitty joining, but the
SLA (M) rep still absent. The FC was perturbed and said that the
meeting could not continue without all Parties present. The FC was
asked about the status of the two remaining agenda items
(Disarmament of JJW and Violations). After some suggestions by the
UN Observer, the FC agreed to distribute to the commission a draft
copy of the GoS plan for disarmament of the Janjaweed.

The FC said that we would have to provide comments by Wednesday
(tomorrow) at 0930, since there is a partner meeting scheduled for
tomorrow at 1600 to discuss the draft. The draft supposedly has
been sitting on the FC's desk for some time, but no one would touch
it in his absence.

As for violation reports -- the FC refused to discuss this at all,
without SLA (M) present.

The FC adjourned the meeting at 12:45.

Next CFC meeting is scheduled for 0930 Wednesday, 26 Jul, with
discussion of draft JJW disarmament on the agenda.

Note: The SLA (M) representative reportedly has not attended the
last two CFC meetings -- this is problematic, as the FC is using it
as a reason to NOT discuss any violations. Post suggests that the
SLA (M) group currently in the U.S. for meetings be reminded that
they have a serious obligation to participate in the CFC -- perhaps
Washington delivering the message will give it a boost. Without all
Parties' participation in the CFC, there will continue to be a lack
of progress.

STEINFELD

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