DARFUR: PROBLEMS WITH RWANDAN TRANSPORT

UNCLAS KIGALI 001163

SIPDIS

INFO HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ33///

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/C, AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS RW SU NL
SUBJECT: DARFUR: PROBLEMS WITH RWANDAN TRANSPORT



1. (SBU) Charge spoke with Dutch Charge the morning of 13
August regarding the movement of a company of Rwandan
soldiers to Darfur to provide protection to AU observers.
According to Dutch Charge, one commercial aircraft will
transport RDF troops and equipment in two or three sorties
from Kigali. As of 1020 GMT, the aircraft had not arrived in
Kigali. Despite previous estimates that it would require
three days to load the aircraft once it had landed, both the
Dutch Charge and the RDF were hopeful that the plane could
take off for Darfur tomorrow (8/14) as planned. As one
senior RDF officer put it, they "will work through the night".


2. (SBU) A last minute problem has arisen over the
transport of RDF ammunition. Apparently, the RDF was not
aware of international rules for the transport of hazardous
goods, such as ammunition, and did not prepare the ammunition
properly. The Dutch Charge said that he is working with the
RDF to try to resolve the issue, and the AU is assisting. At
present, it appears the RDF will charter a local air cargo
service, Silverback, to take the hazerdous material. It has
not been resolved who will pay for this second charter, but
the RDF is hopeful that either the AU or the Dutch will foot
the bill.


3. (U) Embassy will continue to monitor and advise of any
undue delays in the Rwandan movement.


4. (U) Khartoum minimize considered.
O'LEARY