Tanzania to study Sudan Tribunal Concept

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 000155

SIPDIS

Department for S/WCI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/25/15
TAGS: PREL KAWC SU TZ
SUBJECT: Tanzania to study Sudan Tribunal Concept

REF: STATE 11751

Classified by Charge C. Stillman for reasons 1.4(B)
and (D)


1. (C) Charge d'Affaires Christopher Stillman, accompanied
by Poloff, met January 26 with the Foreign Ministry's
Director of Multilateral Affairs, Ambassador Liberata
Mulamula. Ambassador Mulamula listened carefully to the
concept for a Sudan Tribunal outlined in Reftel.
Ambassador Mulamula said that she found the proposal
"attractive" on first hearing. She said that the Foreign
Ministry would need to consult internally to assess the
impact on their relations with Sudan and the continent of
hosting a joint UN-AU Sudan Tribunal. She said that if the
UN Security Council were involved, and if there were
intensive consultations within the AU and the UN, then
"Tanzania would not stand in the way," and would fulfill
its obligations as a host.

2.(C) Ambassador Mulamula observed that the Tanzanian
government was already discussing transition strategies for
Arusha, after the ICTR's mandate expires in 2008. She
noted that the ICTR's international staff fueled much of
the local economy. The ICTR had built considerable
infrastructure, and well as considerable expertise among
its local staff. She thought that Arusha's infrastructure
could readily absorb 800 international staff that might be
attached to an AU-UN Sudan Tribunal. She also thought that
much of ICTR staff could be absorbed "seamlessly" into the
new Tribunal.


3. (C) While she was generally enthusiastic about the Sudan
Tribunal concept, Ambassador Mulamula nonetheless
introduced a cautionary note. She said that if the UN
Commission of Inquiry Report concludes that genocide has
occurred in Darfur, then it would be a "different matter,"
requiring ICC involvement. "I know your government's
position on the ICC," she said, "but it has a full mandate
on these atrocities." She said that we would need to
continue consultations, to arrive at the best solution for
the African Union, the International Community and the
Sudanese people.

STILLMAN