DELIVERY OF DEMARCHE TO AFRICAN UNION CONCERNING

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002303 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/RSA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2016 TAGS: AU KPKO PREL SU SUBJECT: DELIVERY OF DEMARCHE TO AFRICAN UNION CONCERNING CHINA AND RUSSIA ON DARFUR RESOLUTION REF: SECSTATE 131646 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JANET WILGUS. REASON: 1.4(B) (D) 1.(C) On 15 August 2006, POLOFF Jessica Gaylor and US Peace and Security Advisor (PSA) Keith Lynch delivered reftel demarche to African Union (AU) Conflict Management Division Director, El-Ghassim Wane, in the absence of the Peace and Security Commissioner, Ambassador Djinnit. Mr. Wane agreed to convey the message to Ambassador Djinnit and others at the AU who might influence the Chinese and Russians at the United Nations (UN). 2.(C) Wane asked how the UN and AU would complete transition by October 1, POLOFF and PSA noted that the early adoption of the resolution was important, so the transition could begin as soon as possible. POLOFF and PSA stated that it was most important to gain Sudanese acceptance of a UN mission with a start date of 1 October. Wane asked about continued USG support for AMIS during a transitional period. The PSA replied that the USG is committed to supporting AMIS as the transition is planned and takes place. 3.(C) Wane then asked how the U.S. and UN planned to persuade Sudan to agree to the transition from AMIS to the UN. POLOFF and PSA reiterated USG's desire to have African leaders of the AU member states approach Chinese and Russian UN representatives to solicit support for a UN transition. Chinese and Russian abstention in a UNSCR vote would not be enough; the USG sought their cooperation in persuading the Sudanese Government outside of the UNSC and before a UNSCR vote. Asked why the U.S. did not approach China and Russia directly, POLOFF and PSA told Wane that the USG needed the AU, through the leadership of its member states, to convince the Chinese and Russians that regional leaders desired the transition from AMIS to UN mission as well as the AU. PSA added that it would be important for African leaders to use their relationships with the Chinese and Russians as leverage to obtain their concurrence. 4.(C) At the conclusion of the meeting, Wane stated that the AU definitely supported the transition to UN forces in Sudan, noting that the AU lacked resources to continue the mission and that attention was diverted from other important issues in order to focus on AMIS. Mr. Wane agreed to pass the demarche information to Ambassador Djinnit and others, in order to engage China and Russia to act in a constructive manner regarding the transition from AMIS to UN forces. WILGUS