Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ADDISABABA3317
2006-12-18 16:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
DARFUR: NOV. 16 SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS MEETING WITH
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 003317
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/SE, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND IO/PSC
LONDON, PARIS, AND ROME FOR AFRICA-WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO SU AU EG
SUBJECT: DARFUR: NOV. 16 SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS MEETING WITH
EGYPTIAN FM GHEIT
Classified By: POLOFF ERIC WONG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 003317
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/SE, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND IO/PSC
LONDON, PARIS, AND ROME FOR AFRICA-WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO SU AU EG
SUBJECT: DARFUR: NOV. 16 SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS MEETING WITH
EGYPTIAN FM GHEIT
Classified By: POLOFF ERIC WONG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a November 16 bilateral meeting prior to
UN-AU-GOS consultations on Darfur, Egyptian FM Gheit asserted
that Sudanese FM Lam Akol was "very forthcoming," and
highlighted Sudan's acceptance of UN assistance to the
African Union's peacekeeping operation in Darfur. While the
GOS had concerns about the role UN troops would play in a
hybrid UN-AU operation, "technical units" such as a
transportation battalion could have its own security
elements. FM Gheit noted that President Mubarak and Libyan
leader Qadhafi planned to meet jointly with Sudanese
President Bashir, but provided little detail on the approach
they would undertake. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan Natsios and AF/SE
Andrew Steinfeld, accompanied by deputy pol-econ
counselor (note-taker),met with Egyptian Foreign Minister
Ahmed Aboul Gheit prior to the convening on November
16 of a special "high-level" meeting on Darfur at African
Union headquarters, co-chaired by UN SYG Annan and AU
Commission Chairperson Konare and involving the P-5, Sudan,
the League of Arab States, the European Union, and selected
African countries (septel).
3. (C) SE Natsios began the 30-minute meeting by underscoring
the need to achieve consensus on issues to be discussed at
the high-level session on Darfur, a list of which had been
developed by UK Secretary of State for International
Development Hilary Benn. Natsios informed FM Gheit that he
had warned Sudanese FM Lam Akol to inform President Bashir
that continuation of deliberate attacks on civilians risked
having the USG curtail its cooperative approach with the GOS.
Seeking compromise would be easier if the GOS stopped
backtracking on Darfur: e.g., seeking a protocol in response
to the joint letter from UN SYG Annan and AU Commission
Chairperson Konare describing the UN's "light" assistance
package to the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS). NGOs, unable to
obtain visas, were withdrawing from Darfur. Natsios added
that in response to GOS concerns that punitive action be
taken against non-signatories who opposed the May 2006 Darfur
Peace Agreement, the USG was considering imposing travel
sanctions on 5 JEM leaders, although not on Dr. Khalil
Ibrahim.
4. (C) Egyptian FM Gheit responded that Sudanese FM Lam Akol
was "very forthcoming." GOS Presidential Adviser Dr. Mustafa
Osman Ismail had said that no protocol (among the GOS, UN,
and AU) was needed for the implementation of the UN's "light"
assistance package. The GOS had accepted the first two
stages of phased UN assistance to the African Union Mission
in Sudan (AMIS),FM Gheit said, but the third phase,
proposing a hybrid peacekeeping operation, remained a
contentious issue for Sudan. Of particular concern to the
GOS was whether the UN would provide either "technical units"
or troops for a protection force; a transportation battalion
could have its own security elements, FM Gheit observed. He
added that he had told Mustapha Osman that peacekeepers could
use dual emblems (i.e., both UN and AU insignia).
5. (C) FM Gheit concluded by observing that President Mubarak
and Libyan leader Qadhafi would jointly meet with Sudanese
President Bashir, and invited the USG to convey specific
concerns for Mubarak to raise with Bashir.
6. (C) COMMENT: Egyptian FM Gheit's assessment that Sudanese
FM Lam Akol is "very forthcoming" underscores Egypt's support
for GOS positions and its lukewarm support for full
transition of AMIS to a hybrid or UN peacekeeping operation.
Representatives of AU member states and the AU Commission
note that Egypt has consistently sought to weaken AU Peace
and Security Council (PSC) communiques to protect GOS
interests. As the chair of the 15-member AU PSC in December,
Egypt is not expected to convene any PSC meetings to discuss
Darfur, nor initiate any action within the AU to advance the
consensus adopted by the November 17 high-level session
chaired by Annan and Konare. END COMMENT.
7. (U) SE Natsios' staff cleared this message.
WILGUS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/SE, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND IO/PSC
LONDON, PARIS, AND ROME FOR AFRICA-WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO SU AU EG
SUBJECT: DARFUR: NOV. 16 SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS MEETING WITH
EGYPTIAN FM GHEIT
Classified By: POLOFF ERIC WONG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a November 16 bilateral meeting prior to
UN-AU-GOS consultations on Darfur, Egyptian FM Gheit asserted
that Sudanese FM Lam Akol was "very forthcoming," and
highlighted Sudan's acceptance of UN assistance to the
African Union's peacekeeping operation in Darfur. While the
GOS had concerns about the role UN troops would play in a
hybrid UN-AU operation, "technical units" such as a
transportation battalion could have its own security
elements. FM Gheit noted that President Mubarak and Libyan
leader Qadhafi planned to meet jointly with Sudanese
President Bashir, but provided little detail on the approach
they would undertake. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan Natsios and AF/SE
Andrew Steinfeld, accompanied by deputy pol-econ
counselor (note-taker),met with Egyptian Foreign Minister
Ahmed Aboul Gheit prior to the convening on November
16 of a special "high-level" meeting on Darfur at African
Union headquarters, co-chaired by UN SYG Annan and AU
Commission Chairperson Konare and involving the P-5, Sudan,
the League of Arab States, the European Union, and selected
African countries (septel).
3. (C) SE Natsios began the 30-minute meeting by underscoring
the need to achieve consensus on issues to be discussed at
the high-level session on Darfur, a list of which had been
developed by UK Secretary of State for International
Development Hilary Benn. Natsios informed FM Gheit that he
had warned Sudanese FM Lam Akol to inform President Bashir
that continuation of deliberate attacks on civilians risked
having the USG curtail its cooperative approach with the GOS.
Seeking compromise would be easier if the GOS stopped
backtracking on Darfur: e.g., seeking a protocol in response
to the joint letter from UN SYG Annan and AU Commission
Chairperson Konare describing the UN's "light" assistance
package to the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS). NGOs, unable to
obtain visas, were withdrawing from Darfur. Natsios added
that in response to GOS concerns that punitive action be
taken against non-signatories who opposed the May 2006 Darfur
Peace Agreement, the USG was considering imposing travel
sanctions on 5 JEM leaders, although not on Dr. Khalil
Ibrahim.
4. (C) Egyptian FM Gheit responded that Sudanese FM Lam Akol
was "very forthcoming." GOS Presidential Adviser Dr. Mustafa
Osman Ismail had said that no protocol (among the GOS, UN,
and AU) was needed for the implementation of the UN's "light"
assistance package. The GOS had accepted the first two
stages of phased UN assistance to the African Union Mission
in Sudan (AMIS),FM Gheit said, but the third phase,
proposing a hybrid peacekeeping operation, remained a
contentious issue for Sudan. Of particular concern to the
GOS was whether the UN would provide either "technical units"
or troops for a protection force; a transportation battalion
could have its own security elements, FM Gheit observed. He
added that he had told Mustapha Osman that peacekeepers could
use dual emblems (i.e., both UN and AU insignia).
5. (C) FM Gheit concluded by observing that President Mubarak
and Libyan leader Qadhafi would jointly meet with Sudanese
President Bashir, and invited the USG to convey specific
concerns for Mubarak to raise with Bashir.
6. (C) COMMENT: Egyptian FM Gheit's assessment that Sudanese
FM Lam Akol is "very forthcoming" underscores Egypt's support
for GOS positions and its lukewarm support for full
transition of AMIS to a hybrid or UN peacekeeping operation.
Representatives of AU member states and the AU Commission
note that Egypt has consistently sought to weaken AU Peace
and Security Council (PSC) communiques to protect GOS
interests. As the chair of the 15-member AU PSC in December,
Egypt is not expected to convene any PSC meetings to discuss
Darfur, nor initiate any action within the AU to advance the
consensus adopted by the November 17 high-level session
chaired by Annan and Konare. END COMMENT.
7. (U) SE Natsios' staff cleared this message.
WILGUS