DUTCH WILL ASK U.S. TO JOIN FRIENDS OF SUDAN GROUP

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001897

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UBI/HOLLIDAY
STATE FOR AF/SPG/RANNEBURGER
USEU FOR LERNER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL SU NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH WILL ASK U.S. TO JOIN FRIENDS OF SUDAN GROUP


1. Dutch Director for Africa Roeland van de Geer and Marieke
van Renssen, Acting Sudan desk officer, told emboffs in
separate meetings today that the GONL intends to invite the
US to join a "Friends of Sudan" group to assist in the
post-crisis reconstruction of the Darfur region. The Dutch
will also ask the UK and Norway to join. The Dutch mission to
Sudan will approach the US and UK embassies in Khartoum
regarding membership as early as this week. The MFA,s
Deputy Director for Africa Norbert Braakhuis will also
discuss membership with Special Advisor for Sudan Mike
Ranneberger on July 28.


2. Van de Geer told econoff that he and Minister of
Development Agnes van Ardenne are preparing the group's
"terms of reference." They will form the group in Khartoum
late the week of July 26 or early the week of August 2. He
suggested the group could then begin planning a &joint donor
approach8 for Darfur. Membership would not be limited to
The Netherlands, Norway, UK and US, but could eventually
include other donor nations.


3. Speaking in an interview earlier this week, van Ardenne
announced she would allocate 100 million Euros for Darfur
reconstruction which, according to van Renssen, would be made
available after a North-South peace agreement. At the same
time, van Ardenne floated the idea of forming a "Friends of
Darfur" group to raise money and, with the Sudanese
government, coordinate expenditures for Darfur
reconstruction. Van Ardenne said she hopes the prospect of
post conflict assistance will persuade warring parties to
return to the negotiating table.
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