VZCZCXYZ0022
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #8576 1022207
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 112201Z APR 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA IMMEDIATE 0019
INFO RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM IMMEDIATE 5498
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1305
UNCLAS STATE 038576
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SU
SUBJECT: LETTER TO INCOMING AU COMMISSION CHAIRMAN JEAN
PING ON APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF MEDIATOR TO UN/AU JOINT
MEDIATION SUPPORT TEAM
1. (U) This is an action request. The USAU Permanent
Representative is requested, jointly with other
Contact Group Permanent Representatives, to sign the
following letter to Incoming AU Commission Chairman Jean
Ping.
Begin Text
----------
Chairman Ping,
As supporters of the UN/AU-led Darfur peace process, we
commend your efforts to resolve the Darfur conflict and
deploy UNAMID, and to improve the humanitarian situation. We
are highly appreciative of the efforts of UN Special Envoy
Eliasson and AU Special Envoy Salim to advance the peace
process.
We remain concerned, however, that a Joint Chief Mediator
has yet to be appointed. We therefore support the current
Envoys in their view that having a single mediator working
with the Government of Sudan, rebel movements, and other
stakeholders, and providing day-to-day leadership of the
Joint Mediation Support Team, will be crucial for the
success of the peace process. Such a mediator should be
acceptable to all parties, dedicated full-time to the issue
of resolving the Darfur conflict, and of a sufficiently
high rank as to compel the attention of the parties and the
international community. He or she should be willing to live
and work full time in Sudan, and if not based in Darfur,
should be willing to travel there regularly and for extended
periods.
At the recent Meeting of the International Partners in
Geneva, there was consensus that the appointment of a
Chief Mediator is an urgent and important next step in
moving the Darfur peace process forward. We count on such
a step to translate into significant progress for the
UN/AU process at this particular juncture. We believe
this issue to be extremely urgent, and respectfully
request your immediate attention.
We reiterate our appreciation for the work of Special
Envoys Eliasson and Salim, and your personal dedication to
the
resolution of the Darfur conflict. We also remain
committed to peace in Darfur and in the rest of Sudan, and
are ready to assist your efforts as the process moves
forward.
Sincerely
AU Permreps for
United States
United Kingdom
Canada
France
Netherlands
Norway
EU
Cc: Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary General
POINT OF CONTACT
----------------
5. Please contact AF/SPG Marti Flacks at 202-647-5796
for any necessary further information.
RICE