SUDAN: EGYPTIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE AFRICAN

UNCLAS CAIRO 003649 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR PM/PMAT, PM/RSAT, AF/SPG, AND AF/RSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS EAID EG SU SUBJECT: SUDAN: EGYPTIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE AFRICAN UNION'S DARFUR MISSION GROWING REF: STATE 86775 This message is sensitive but unclassified. Not for Internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) During a May 12 meeting with MFA Sudan Office Deputy Director Abdelmoneim Omar, poloff explored the current Egyptian contribution to the African Union (AU)'s Mission in Sudan (AMIS),drawing from reftel talking points to express appreciation for Egypt's continued and expanding involvement in the AU mission. Omar said that as a result of consultations between President Mubarak and other African leaders on the margins of a New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) summit in Egypt April 19, Egypt had sent a letter ("about 2 weeks ago") to the African Union offering to provide the AU with a mechanized infantry battalion (158 personnel) for its Military Protection Force in Darfur. Egypt had earlier communicated to the AU that it was also willing to increase its current contribution of civil police observers from 21 up to a maximum of 100. As for military monitors, Egypt has offered to increase "by any amount requested" its current contribution of 34 monitors. Omar complained of the slowness of the AU bureaucracy and lack of response, regarding Egypt's open offer to provide military monitors. ¶2. (SBU) Egypt's current contributions to the three separate parts of the AMIS mission are as follows: - Military Protection Force: The GOE recently offered (in writing) a mechanized infantry battalion consisting of 158 personnel. This would be Egypt's first contribution to this force. No answer has been received from the AU, according to the Egyptian MFA. - Military Monitoring Force: The GOE has 34 observers on the ground and has offered to provide "any number" that the AU formally requests from Egypt. - Civil Police Monitors: Egypt currently has 21 civilian police observers on the ground in Darfur and has conveyed to the AU its willingness to increase that number to a maximum of 100 observers. ¶3. (U) Khartoum minimize considered. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. GRAY