Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS6887
2005-10-06 11:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRENCH ILL AT EASE ON DARFUR, CHAD, AND THE

Tags:  EAID PGOV PREF PREL PHUM KAWC PINR SU CD FR 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 006887 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015
TAGS: EAID PGOV PREF PREL PHUM KAWC PINR SU CD FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH ILL AT EASE ON DARFUR, CHAD, AND THE
AFRICAN UNION

REF: A. SECSTATE 182626 B. NDJAMENA 01487

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt. Reaso

ns 1.4b,d

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 006887

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015
TAGS: EAID PGOV PREF PREL PHUM KAWC PINR SU CD FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH ILL AT EASE ON DARFUR, CHAD, AND THE
AFRICAN UNION

REF: A. SECSTATE 182626 B. NDJAMENA 01487

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt. Reaso

ns 1.4b,d


1. (SBU) DAS-Equivalent Helene Le Gal and Sudan Desk Officer
Jeremie Robert singled out recent violence in Darfur,
cross-border attacks into Chad by militia with possible
government backing, African Union representative Kingibe's
strong criticism of Khartoum, and Chad's rebuke to Sudanese
authorities as deeply troubling developments, during an
October 4 meeting with Africa Watcher and visiting France
Desk Officer Susan Ball. The Government of Chad had convoked
the French ambassador October 3 -- Le Gal said he is now
being called in almost daily by the MFA -- to express grave
displeasure at Sudanese actions.


2. (SBU) Robert described Chad's shutting down the Sudanese
consulate in Abeche and the withdrawal of Chad's own
consulate in El Geneina was a hard and blunt message to
Khartoum. Le Gal and Robert added they were not yet clear
about what was happening, and volunteered no explanations.
They asked what actions the USG was taking, specifically in
Chad and with respect to the Darfur rebels. Robert called
attention to the October 3 Quai d'Orsay public statement on
condemning the attacks (See Embassy Translation in para 6.).


3. (C) Le Gal observed that the hand of the African Union
(AU) was weakening in Darfur. While the AMIS mandate was
potentially strong, it was "a piece of paper" that AMIS did
not, could not or would not enforce. Moreover, finding
financing for AMIS was a constant struggle, Le Gal said, in
what is proving a frequent refrain from her office.
Blue-hatting AMIS was definitely in the cards. In a minor
illustration of French irritation, Le Gal said France had set
aside 17,000 MREs for AMIS forces, but the AU had yet to pick
up the goods for transport. (Note: The MREs are apparently
in France.) Le Gal also noted a certain discomfort on the
French side in working with AU Chairperson Konare;
Commissioner Djinnit was a different story, however. Le Gal
said Konare would visit France and meet with President Chirac
on October 25. Konare also visits Brussels October 12-13 on
what she termed "regular consultations."


4. (C) Le Gal and Robert expressed reservations about how
effective a role Libya could play in fostering rebel
cohesion, and about Tripoli's reliability. Nonetheless,
Robert did view the recent SLM-JEM accord brokered by Libya
and Chad as a breakthrough. Both Le Gal and Robert remarked
with interest that Deby met twice with Qadhafi last month,
first on September 9 and then again in the last week of
September, when transiting Libya after medical treatment in
Paris.


5. (C) Comment and bio note: Le Gal views the challenge of
Darfur financing through an EU prism, in part reflecting her
recent assignment in Brussels. She has previously served in
Tel Aviv, Madrid and Burkina Faso, and as a desk officer for
East Africa. She speaks English.


6. (U) Begin Text (Embassy translation) of October 3 public
statement on Darfur:

"France condemns the recent escalation of violence in Darfur,
including militia attacks on villages, the September 28
attack against the Aro Sharow IDP camp, and rebel movements
against government positions.

"France equally condemns the attacks in the vicinity of
Modaina, Chad, on September 25, by armed groups entering from
Sudan that caused 75 deaths.

"France is moreover very concerned at impediments to
humanitarian operations in Darfur.

"France calls on all parties, the Sudanese government and
rebel movements (SLM, JEM) to respect the ceasefire and to
negotiate in good faith at the Abuja talks.

"France reminds all parties that individuals who violate the
ceasefire, human rights and international humanitarian law
constitute a threat to the stability of Darfur and represent
an obstacle to the Peace Process in Darfur; as such, they are
liable to sanctions by the Security Council under Resolution

1591.
"France reiterates its support for the actions of the African
Union Mission in Darfur (AMIS). France welcomes the
convening today of an emergency meeting of the African Union
Council for Peace and Security on the situation in Darfur."

End Text.


Minimize Considered

Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
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