INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Southern Sudan Reaction to New Usg Strategy On Sudan

Published: Fri 23 Oct 2009 10:26 AM
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OO RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKH #1194 2961026
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231026Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4615
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001194
NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR SU
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN SUDAN REACTION TO NEW USG STRATEGY ON SUDAN
1. (SBU) Summary: In the aftermath of the new U.S. policy on Sudan
rollout, the reaction of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and
other missions in Juba has been very positive. The local daily
newspaper, The Citizen, printed the entirety of the strategy on
October 20, but on October 21 printed an editorial raising some
concern over the possibility of sanctions being lifted. On October
21, U.S. Consulate Juba convoked the diplomatic missions in Juba to
brief them on the policy. Reactions were generally positive, and
missions called on the U.S. to continue the dialogue with the
international community. End Summary.
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GOSS Reacts Positively
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2. (SBU) On October 20, the GoSS Ministry of Regional Cooperation
briefed the diplomatic community on Comprehensive Peace Agreement
(CPA) implementation, security situation in the south and GOSS
reaction to the new U.S. policy to Sudan (septel on other items).
In an October 20th briefing to the diplomatic community, the
Minister of Regional Cooperation, Oyai Deng Ajak along with Minister
of Internal Affairs Gier Choung Aluong and Minister of Presidential
Affairs Luka Biong praised the new U.S. policy on Sudan. Biong
explained that the just announced USG strategy would positively
influence the National Congress Party (NCP) to ensure implementation
of the CPA, including free and fair elections in April 2010.
Biong called on all diplomatic missions present to support the USG
strategy to ensure its success. He also stated that GOSS President
Salva Kiir would be issuing a statement in the coming days in
support of the strategy. Privately Biong called the strategy a
"masterpiece."
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Press More Guarded
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3. (U) The Citizen, a local daily newspaper, printed the entire
media note issued in conjunction with the strategy, "Sudan: A
Critical Moment, A Comprehensive Approach," on October 20. The
daily also ran two editorials on the media note, the first on
October 20 covering the official Government of National Unity (GNU)
response playing-down sanctions and arguing against the use of the
word "genocide" to describe the situation in Darfur. The second
editorial on October 21 focused on the failure of the strategy to
outline specific incentives that will be extended to the NCP, and
how sanctions will be strengthened if they fail to comply with CPA
implementation. The editorial stated that if the U.S. really wanted
the NCP to comply, it needed to engage the UN Security Council and
extend sanctions to the international level, binding Arab and
African states, as well as China.
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Consul General Briefing
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4. (SBU) On October 21 the Consul General briefed members of the
diplomatic community on the new U.S. policy. The briefing focused
primarily on the elements related to Southern Sudan and CPA
implementation. CG Rogers explained that the new U.S. policy helps
elevate the CPA, calling for an integrated approach; outlines a new
more urgent timeline for implementation; and calls for greater rigor
in meeting benchmarks and progress on the ground.
5. (SBU) The UN Deputy Resident Coordinator praised the strategy
and highlighted the need for greater coordination on security sector
programs. UK Head of Delegation Vinay Talwar asked for more clarity
on how sanctions would be used on Sudan. The Ugandan Ambassador
stressed the importance of involving the Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development (IGAD), and stated that IGAD must live-up
to its obligations to ensure full-implementation of the CPA. The
Eritrean Ambassador noted the continuing fragmentation of the Darfur
rebel groups, and asked how the USG plans to "pressure them." Other
representatives called on the U.S. to continue to lead this
dialogue, particularly in regard to elections/referendum
coordination and security sector reform.
6. (SBU) The CG explained that the full list of incentives and
disincentives was classified; however, sanctions were one tool that
remained in the toolkit. She concurred with the need to coordinate
closely with IGAD and noted Special Envoy Gration's on-going efforts
in that regard.
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