A/S NEWMAN AND SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE MEET SPLM

UNCLAS NAIROBI 003169

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS EAIR SU KE
SUBJECT: A/S NEWMAN AND SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE MEET SPLM
LEADERSHIP IN NEW SITE



1. (U) SUMMARY. On August 3, A/S Newman and Special
Representative Winter traveled to New Site, South Sudan, to
offer their condolences over the death of John Garang and to
meet with new SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir. Kiir briefed Newman
and Winter on the sequence of events surrounding Garang's
death and the SPLM's plans for a funeral. Newman shared the
U.S.' full support for the SPLM and the peace process, asking
what the U.S. could do to help. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Kiir described in detail the timeline leading to
Garang's death and the subsequent recovery of the bodies. He
said that SPLA troops in the New Kush training area reported
hearing a thud that is believed to have been the helicopter
hitting a mountain. The SPLM moved quickly to gather its
leadership in New Site, quickly electing Kiir the new
Chairman, nominating him to be 1st Vice President of the
Government of New Unity and President of the Government of
South Sudan.


3. (U) Kiir proceeded to describe the SPLM's plans for
Garang's funeral. He said there had been some initial
disagreement between Garang's family and the leadership about
whether the funeral should be in Garang's hometown (Bor) or
not. They finally agreed that the funeral will take place in
Juba on August 6. Before the funeral, Garang's remains will
travel around the South. Kiir said they would go to Kurmuk,
Kauda, Rumbek, Yei, Bor and Panyagor before arriving in Juba.
(Note: Subsequent conversations revealed that the exact route
and timing are still being worked out. End Note.)


4. (U) A/S Newman told Kiir they had traveled to New Site to
offer their condolences, express the U.S.' continued support
of the people of Sudan and the CPA, and to let the SPLM know
that the U.S. stands ready to assist in any way possible.
Newman acknowledged Kiir and the SPLM's statements calling
for a continuation of Garang's vision and said the U.S. was
publicly urging all parties to stay committed to the CPA and
not to use this tragedy for personal or political gain. She
reminded Kiir that the U.S. expected him to get involved in
resolving the Darfur crisis. She also raised the issues of
the investigation into the crash, how to recognize Garang
around the world and how to proceed with the CPA and in
Darfur.


5. (U) Special Representative Winter shared his personal
connection to Garang and the SPLM, saying he was looking
forward to spending more time in south Sudan in his new job.
He praised the SPLM for having done everything right in
responding to the tragedy. He emphasized that despite the
great loss, the partnership between the U.S. and the SPLM
continues.


6. (U) Kiir responded that the SPLM was going to start over
on implementing the CPA as if nothing had been done, but
remained committed to implementing it as quickly as possible.
He made it clear that the SPLM would like international help
with the investigation into the crash, saying the team should
consist of experts from the U.S., UK, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan
and the UN, with Russians brought in by Uganda because the
helicopter was Russian-built.


7. A/S Newman and Special Representative Winter have cleared
this cable.
BELLAMY