O P 191327Z SEP 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY CAIRO IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY KIGALI IMMEDIATE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
INFO DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS STATE 100304
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREL SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN - WEEKLY REPORTING ON UNAMID DEPLOYMENT
READINESS
1. This is an action cable - see paragraphs 4-6 as applicable.
2. The Administration and the Department view the deployment
of additional peacekeeping troops to Darfur as one of its
highest priorities for 2008. An Egyptian battalion and an
Ethiopian battalion taskforce are next in line for deployment
to UNAMID. In Rwanda, provision of U.S. training and
equipment is complete and four Rwandan infantry battalions of
800 personnel each are eager to rotate into Darfur at full UN
strength before December. Deployment of these units will put
over 4,000 much needed additional troops on the ground to
help stabilize the security situation and protect civilians,
but we are increasingly concerned about delays in the full
deployment of these units. The Ethiopians and Egyptians were
originally scheduled to deploy in Darfur in the first quarter
of 2008, but to date only small advance companies have been
deployed.
3. Pinpointing the obstacles to all three deployments -
whether practical or political - is essential to the
Department's efforts to craft constructive interventions.
Increased reporting from troop contributing capitals and
engagement with UNAMID leadership and host country officials
would enhance our understanding and help us overcome these
obstacles. Past reporting from posts on these and related
issues has been exemplary. We would appreciate more targeted
reporting specifically on Egyptian, Ethiopian, and Rwandan
deployments.
4. ACTION ADDIS ABABA, CAIRO, and KIGALI - Posts are
requested to engage regularly with host country officials at
the highest levels to urge rapid deployment of peacekeeping
troops pledged to Darfur. Posts are also requested to
establish a weekly reporting cable to update Washington on
the readiness, timetable, and deployment challenges of the
host nation's Darfur troop contingent. The cable should
include reporting on engagement with political, military, and
civilian military leaders. This information will assist U.S.
officials in Washington and New York in targeting political
engagements and practical assistance to help advance
deployment of these units. Please send the first weekly
cable on Sept. 23, and to identify in that cable an Embassy
point of contact for follow up on UNAMID deployment issues.
5. ACTION KHARTOUM - Post is requested to continue and deepen
engagement with UNAMID officials in Khartoum and Headquarters
El Fasher on all issues related to the deployment of the
Egyptian, Ethiopian, and Rwandan troop contingents and report
back in weekly cables on UNAMID deployment beginning on Sept.
23. Post should also prepare to engage the GOS to ensure
that it is prepared not only to accept but facilitate these
rapid deployments. Please identify the primary point of
contact for this effort in the initial cable.
6. ACTION USUN - Post is requested to continue its intense
effort through the Friends of UNAMID to engage with UN
planners to press for the deployment of Egyptian, Ethiopian,
and Rwandan peacekeeping elements. USUN is further requested
to report promptly, via front channel cable, on the outcome
of all meetings of the Friends of UNAMID. USUN is requested
to develop a template for a periodic reporting cable on the
status, timeline, and obstacles to those deployments. An
update on UNAMID's deployment should be submitted, via front
channel cable, every two weeks. USUN is requested to send
these brief update reports, even if no significant change has
occurred in the intervening period.
7. Department thanks Posts for their assistance.
8. Minimize considered.
RICE