SUDAN: RESPONSE TO HUMANITARIAN AND CHAD DEMARCHES

UNCLAS ABUJA 000792

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/SPG, D, INR, DRL, PRM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SU NI CD
SUBJECT: SUDAN: RESPONSE TO HUMANITARIAN AND CHAD DEMARCHES

REF: A. STATE 59821


B. STATE 60228


1. (SBU) Summary: Khartoum CDA Hume carried out ref A
instructions on humanitarian administration concerns in Sudan
with Vice President Ali Osman Taha at his Abuja hotel suite
on April 15. As Hume went through each of the five demarche
points, Taha listened without comment except to interject
that reaction to the NGO legislation seems a bit precipitous
since the law is yet to be implemented. CDA Hume also raised
the issue of Chad with Taha. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Taha's initial overall comment was that if we
succeed in getting things figured out here at the Darfur
talks, all the concerns will be resolved. He added that he
hoped the enhanced cease-fire document (being worked in small
committee with the parties, AU Mediation, and USDEL) could be
resolved on April 15. This would mean that the parties
postpone major points which comprise the meat of the overall
security arrangements text but permit putting the entire
document on the table. Taha said he was planning to return
to Khartoum if the cease-fire document is not soon ready and
would return when needed.


3. (SBU) Regarding the five demarche points, Taha said he
would have the Governor of South Darfur get in touch with us
to explain the situation with the fuel deliveries and the
Norwegian refugee organization. Hume reminded Taha that
Deputy Secretary Zoellick had taken up the issue with him
last November and that correct management of Kalma camp was
important to the USG.


4. (SBU) On the NGO legislation, Taha complained mildly
that the NGOs were conducting a psychological campaign
against it even before it was promulgated. He acknowledged
that the GOS had to be sensitive to NGO needs but they in
return should be sensitive to GOS realities and be patient.
Some of the provisions of the law were to fulfill commitments
to the international community such as prevention of money
laundering. Taha also wondered why the NGOs could not
cooperate more directly with the GOS Humanitarian Relief
Ministry, which in many areas had congruent responsibilities
and interests. In any case, he said, "let us agree to a
liberal interpretation". CDA Hume said Embassy Khartoum
would pursue the issue with the Ministries in Khartoum.


5. (SBU) Taha said he would look into the issues related to
the Status of Forces Agreement when he returned to Khartoum.


6. (SBU) He also committed to take up the visa issue with
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see what are the real
problems.

- - -
CHAD
- - -


7. (SBU) CDA Hume raised the issue of Chad on April 10 and
again on April 15. On April 10, Taha said that a Darfur
peace agreement in Abuja would resolve the Chadian issue. On
April 15, CDA Hume explained that he had no specific
instructions to raise the issue, he would be remiss in not
bringing it up. Hume said that no matter what the realities
of the situation are, or would be in coming days, they
inevitably would include implications and criticism for
Sudan. Hume repeated and reinforced the point he had made in
previous meetings with Taha about the need to absolutely
assure the safety of the Darfur refugees in camps along the
Chad border. He said that it would be inconceivable that the
USG would be silent about the matter. The Vice President
acknowledged that some of the rebels had moved to Chad from
Sudan but that there had been no contact with them since.
Even though "not involved", however, Taha did end by saying
it was in the Government of Sudan's interest to have things
under control.


8. (SBU) The meeting ended with Taha expressing his hope
that Hume would go to the Chida Hotel and successfully work
the cease-fire document so he could have a reason to stay
longer.
CAMPBELL