Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04BRUSSELS1151
2004-03-19 04:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

COORDINATION FOR THE CHAD CONFERENCE ON DARFUR: EC

Tags:  PGOV PINS PREL PHUM CD SU EUN USEU BRUSSELS 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001151 

SIPDIS

DEPARMENT FOR PRM - MIKE MCKINLEY AND AF/RSA - MIKE
BITTRICK; DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USAID FOR ROGER WINTER AND
KATE ALMQUIST; NAIROBI FOR LISA PETERSON; USUN FOR GREG
D'ELIA; OSLO FOR ERIKCA BARKES-RUGGLES; LONDON FOR CHARLES
GUERNEY; GENEVA FOR NANCE KYLOH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2014
TAGS: PGOV PINS PREL PHUM CD SU EUN USEU BRUSSELS
SUBJECT: COORDINATION FOR THE CHAD CONFERENCE ON DARFUR: EC
OBJECTIVES AND SUPPORT

REF: STATE 58545

Classified By: PRMOFF MARC MEZNAR. REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001151

SIPDIS

DEPARMENT FOR PRM - MIKE MCKINLEY AND AF/RSA - MIKE
BITTRICK; DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USAID FOR ROGER WINTER AND
KATE ALMQUIST; NAIROBI FOR LISA PETERSON; USUN FOR GREG
D'ELIA; OSLO FOR ERIKCA BARKES-RUGGLES; LONDON FOR CHARLES
GUERNEY; GENEVA FOR NANCE KYLOH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2014
TAGS: PGOV PINS PREL PHUM CD SU EUN USEU BRUSSELS
SUBJECT: COORDINATION FOR THE CHAD CONFERENCE ON DARFUR: EC
OBJECTIVES AND SUPPORT

REF: STATE 58545

Classified By: PRMOFF MARC MEZNAR. REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D).


1. (C) Summary. The European Commission (EC) is in agreement
with USG thoughts on Darfur mediation (reftel),and is
prepared to financially support the talks in Chad with
400,000 euros channeled through the Centre for Humanitarian
Dialogue (CHD). According to the EC, important outstanding
issues include the composition of the rebels' delegation and
monitoring mechanisms to ensure that a humanitarian ceasefire
is respected. The EU currently plans to be represented at
the Chad meeting by its heads of delegation in Khartoum and
N'djamena. End Summary.


2. (C) On 3/18, PRMOff delivered reftel talking points to
Roger Moore, DG DEV Head of Unit for the Horn and East
Africa, and to Christian Manahl, DG DEV desk officer for
Sudan. Manahl said the EC supports the role of the CHD as
facilitator for the Darfur mediation effort. He said that he
had met with two representatives of the CHD who had just
traveled to Brussels from Chad on 3/17. The CHD reported
that all sides had agreed to a meeting and that the CHD would
facilitate logistics for the rebels to attend. Although the
Government of Chad had asked CHD to serve as chair, they
declined the invitation but will act as advisor and support
to the chair.


3. (C) The EC agrees to N'djamena as a venue, although it had
hoped for a more neutral location. Regarding the proposed
date, Manahl said he felt that the March 23-24 timeframe was
too early and that the meeting probably should not take place
until at least the 27th. He said that it was important for
the right rebels to be identified and for them to be allowed
adequate time to prepare for in depth talks, rather than just

rounding up anyone to represent the rebel side. He indicated
that the rebels who had been in contact with CHD requested
more time themselves to prepare for the meeting in Chad.
Manahl said the EC also favored a five to six day meeting
with a break in the middle so that the negotiating parties
could consult back with Khartoum and the military leaders in
the field. Furthermore, he suggested a follow-up meeting to
take place a month after the mediation effort in order to
assess progress (or lack thereof).


4. (C) Manahl said that the EC is prepared to use its Rapid
Reaction Mechanism (a funding line controlled by DG RELEX
which can be disbursed quickly) for a contribution of up to
400,000 euros to support a series of meetings they think will
be needed to bring about a lasting humanitarian ceasefire and
sustained humanitarian access. (Note. CHD will revise its
earlier proposal for a February mediation meeting in
Switzerland, an event which never occurred. End Note.)


5. (C) Regarding participation, Manahl said that EU heads of
mission and U.S. representatives in Khartoum had discussed
delegations of five to six each for the two directly opposing
groups, and two observers each from the U.S. and EU. At this
point, plans are for the EU to be represented by the French
head of delegation in N'djamena (who manages EU interests in
Chad) and perhaps by his Dutch counterpart in Khartoum (who
manages EU interests in Sudan). No decision regarding EU
participation has been finalized; a Brussels-based official
might attend in place of the Dutch representative.


6. (C) In terms of substance, the EU agrees with the
principal focus of the talks centering on a humanitarian
ceasefire and the issue of humanitarian access. Manahl
stated that the military discussions needed to be solid and
substantive in order to result in long-term objectives. He
agreed that both sides need to come prepared to provide a
rough breakout of the forces, the number of armed combatants
and where they are located, and to where they would be
withdrawn. He added that the Janjaweed issue needed to be
addressed. Manahl expressed caution about "self policing" of
the ceasefire, noting such might prove ineffective. He
preferred using the Verification Monitoring Team (VMT) that
is already in-country to ensure that the ceasefire
stabilizes. Manahl reported that the GoS prefers the use of
the Civilian Protection Monitoring Team for this purpose, but
felt that this group did not have the technical capabilities.
(He noted that perhaps the VMT could be used after the
ceasefire was firmly in place.) Manahl stated that funding
and/or resources would be required from the international
community if either of these monitoring teams were employed
to support the ceasefire.


7. (C) In response to the talking point on "the mandate to
negotiate," Manahl expressed concern that no formal request
has yet been made to anyone to organize or hold the Chad
meeting nor have formal invitations been extended to anyone.
He said that yesterday the GoS had requested the GoC to
mediate, but there was disagreement between the two
governments as to whom would be invited. Manahl said he
understood the GoS favored inviting only the SLM, while the
GoC felt the JEM should also attend. Another contentious
factor relating to attendance, according to Manahl, is the
role of Darfur exilees. Manahl suggested that perhaps some
should be included.


8. (C) In closing, Moore and Manahl both said it was
important to keep sight of two related issues -- the local
disputes over pasture and land which need to be addressed, as
well as the political demands of the regions within the
overall constitutional review process. Manahl said that
Darfur might set a bad precedent for other restive regions
and could encourage violence in order to obtain concessions
from the central government.


9. Minimized Considered.

FOSTER