VZCZCXRO8968
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #0840 1491555
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 291555Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7380
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000840
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/SPG
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO AU UN SU
SUBJECT: Darfur: Briefing for AU PSC Delegation
1. (SBU) Summary: On May 22, Western representatives briefed a
fact-finding mission of the African Union Peace and Security Council
(AU PSC) on the situation in Darfur. They highlighted the
importance of an effective peace-keeping force and cease-fire
mechanism, a specific UN/AU strategy for the political process, and
non-military logistical support for the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA)
signatories. Though demonstrating little in-depth knowledge of the
Darfur crisis, the delegation suggested that leaders at the upcoming
G-8 summit provide a commitment to the African Union Mission to
Sudan (AMIS) until the deployment of the UN Heavy Support Package
and the UN/AU hybrid peace-keeping operation. End summary.
2. (SBU) Representatives of the U.S., the U.K., the Netherlands,
France, Sweden, the European Union, and Canada briefed a
fact-finding mission of the AU PSC on May 22 on the situation in
Darfur. The six-member delegation, which the PSC had tasked to
report objective recommendations for ending the conflict, asked for
a realistic assessment from the ground.
3. (SBU) Western representatives highlighted the importance of an
effective peace-keeping force in Darfur, coupled with a strengthened
cease-fire mechanism. The UK DCM said that deployment of the UN/AU
hybrid force as soon as possible was essential. CDA Powers
described the USG "redlines" for such a force, including a Chapter
VII mandate and UN command and control. The French Ambassador
explained that the ceasefire mechanism consisting of the Cease-fire
Commission and the Joint Commission did not function and urged the
AU to take action to increase their efficiency.
4. (SBU) As the members of the delegation demonstrated little
advance knowledge of the complexities of the Darfur conflict,
Western representatives briefed them on the outlines of the
situation. The Dutch representative described the interplay of the
conflict between regional governments, the conflict between the
Sudanese government and Darfur rebel movements, and the conflict
between tribes. The Swedish Charge noted that Chad, Eritrea, Libya,
and Egypt would play a central role in resolving the crisis. She
also urged the delegation to consider ways to pressure the Darfur
rebel movements to participate "in good faith" in the peace process
while recognizing that "sooner or later the war in Darfur becomes a
business." She pointed to regional governments' support for many
rebel movements and said that the PSC should exercise its power to
stem this support.
5. (SBU) Poloff underscored the importance of a specific UN/AU
strategy for the political process, which was seconded by the EU
representative. The UK representative emphasized the need for
political negotiations to involve all elements of Darfurian society
and said that the Arab tribes were "particularly key." He also
noted that the key lesson of DPA was the need to "get the message
out quickly" on the substance of a political agreement.
6. (SBU) Many of the Western representatives suggested that methods
for non-military logistical support for the DPA signatories would
provide a peace dividend and encourage the participation of
non-signatories in the political process. The Swedish Charge
explained the importance of planning for alternative livelihoods for
the movements, noting that an effective cease-fire mechanism would
leave many of the combatants "unemployed." Poloff said that the
declining support for the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)/Minawi
demonstrated the ramifications of delay in providing non-military
logistical support to the movements and suggested that the AU begin
planning for the establishment of the Logistical Coordination
Commission stipulated in the DPA.
7. (SBU) The Nigerian chairman of the delegation responded that it
was difficult to look at methods for supporting the DPA signatories
given the "paucity of resources" facing the AMIS, which left many of
the soldiers unpaid. He suggested that the international community
use the occasion of the upcoming G-8 summit to provide a commitment
of support for AMIS until the deployment of the Heavy Support
Package and the hybrid operation.
POWERS