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