INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Turabi to S/E Natsios: National Unity Government On Rocky

Published: Wed 10 Oct 2007 10:05 AM
VZCZCXRO5369
PP RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1593 2831005
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101005Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8799
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001593
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/SPG, AF A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
NSC FOR HUDSON AND SHORTLEY
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SU
SUBJECT: Turabi to S/E Natsios: NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT ON ROCKY
GROUND
1. (SBU) Summary: In an October 6 meeting with Special Envoy
Natsios, Dr. Hassan al-Turabi of Sudan's Popular Congress Party
talked about North/South relations and Darfur possible developments.
End of summary.
2. (SBU) Al-Turabi claimed that people expected improvements in
their lives after the peace agreement, but have not seen any. S/E
Natsios disagreed and pointed to a number of improvements - like the
presence of schools and teachers from Kenya there - "Improvement is
happening, but is not noticed," he said. Turabi added that the
expectation that the CPA would radically transform life and politics
in Sudan had not happened and may never happen.
3. (SBU) Al-Turabi described the situation in Sudan as "tense." He
charged that the government rules by dictate without regard to the
constitution. "They may listen to people, (but) then vote whatever
they like." He said that federalizing and decentralizing the
country would ease the tension, adding that Darfur (problem) was
about "decentralization." Neither the federal legislature nor state
assemblies have real power. There is no transparency or
accountability, the CPA could have addressed the problems of
marginalization in all of Sudan, but instead is a vehicle for
southern secession not democracy for all Sudan. He described Darfur
as a "disadvantaged" area with no judicial system, no police and no
facilities.
4. (SBU) Al-Turabi expressed his discontent that the upcoming talks
about Darfur will take place in Tripoli noting that Libya had a long
history of interference in Darfur. S/E Natsios said the U.S. didn't
choose Tripoli, but the Libyans are deeply involved in the war. "If
we don't involve them they will undermine the process." The S/E
added that his goal is "to have peace so we don't have another war."
Asked if there will be a peace agreement, Al-Turabi dodged the
question saying that the talks should include all Darfurians because
if they don't participate, "another explosion would happen."
5. (SBU) In response to a question from S/E Natsios if the GOS's
power is getting stronger, Al-Turabi said that the government's
power is becoming weaker and is very unpopular. "All the opposition
parties have one program and that is an anti-government program." He
noted that the government of National Unity between the NCP and SPLM
was a failure: "this is not a coalition, this is two people put
together in a jail cell by force." He added "I should know because
I've been in such cells." He noted that Khartoum's writ is abandoned
in the south, "they are independent in all but name," and the SPLM
cared little about federal rule, "they are disconnected from the
North and don't try to hide it."
6. (SBU) Asked if he planned to run in the 2009 elections, Al-Turabi
ruled out his party boycotting the elections but that he himself
would not run for president. He added that he wanted the younger
generation of his party to take an active part in the elections. He
added that the NCP had succeeded in corrupting the judiciary, police
and local government with oil wealth. He described the recent
extension in detention of the Mubarak al-Fadel alleged "coup Plot"
conspirators as "completely illegal."
7. (SBU) S/E Natsios didn't have the opportunity to clear this
message prior to departure.
FERNANDEZ
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