Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ADDISABABA3318
2006-12-18 16:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

DARFUR: SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS WARNS SUDANESE FM TO

Tags:  PREL PHUM MOPS KPKO SU AU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7927
PP RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #3318/01 3521621
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 181621Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3759
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 003318 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/SE, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND IO/PSC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM MOPS KPKO SU AU
SUBJECT: DARFUR: SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS WARNS SUDANESE FM TO
END ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS


Classified By: POLOFF ERIC WONG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 003318

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/SE, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND IO/PSC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM MOPS KPKO SU AU
SUBJECT: DARFUR: SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS WARNS SUDANESE FM TO
END ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS


Classified By: POLOFF ERIC WONG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY. In a bilateral meeting with Sudanese Foreign
Minister Lam Akol and other GOS principals, just prior to
November 16 high-level consultations on Darfur chaired by the
UN SYG and AU Commission Chairperson Konare (septel),
Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan Natsios outlined USG
priorities on AMIS transition to a joint UN-AU peacekeeping
operation. Citing information on specific attacks in Darfur
and Chad, SE Natsios also cautioned the GOS to end deliberate
attacks on civilians, or risk hampering a cooperative
approach between the United States and Sudan. FM Akol and
GOS military commander General Ismat al Zain denied that the
GOS had undertaken such a policy to attack civilians, but
agreed to inform President Bashir. FM Akol affirmed that the
GOS had agreed to the first of three phases of proposed UN
assistance to AMIS, but that the GOS disagreed about other
aspects derived from UNSCR 1706. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Special Envoy Natsios and AF/SE Andrew Steinfeld,
accompanied by deputy pol-econ counselor (AU watcher) met
November 16 in Addis Ababa with visiting Sudanese Foreign
Minister Lam Akol, GOS Ambassador to Ethiopia Abu Zeid, GOS
PermRep to the UN Amb. Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohammed, and
General Ismat al Zain, commander of the Sudanese army in
Darfur.


3. (C) SE Natsios reviewed USG policy on transition of the
African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to a UN peacekeeping
operation, in accordance with UNSCR 1706. The USG was not
supporting a new UNSCR but did support a joint UN-AU
operation; a presidential statement by the UNSC (PRST) could
address elements of UNSCR 1706 that required revision. UN
funding of the operation (i.e., through assessed
contributions),provided a more stable mechanism than current
ad hoc arrangements. and was in the interest of the GOS. The
joint operation would be a predominantly African force led by
an African general, using command and control structures of

the UN with the AU. The USG supported the voluntary return
of IDPs, and was prepared to provide a reconstruction package
if a peace agreement were reached. SE Natsios noted that to
sanction parties who continued to oppose the Darfur Peace
Agreement (DPA),the USG was considering imposing a travel
ban and asset control on 5 JEM leaders.

--------------
HALT DELIBERATE ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS
--------------


4. (C) SE Natsios cautioned FM Akol that while the USG had so
far taken a cooperative, collaborative approach with the GOS,
since Natsios's visit to Sudan, Arab militias had
re-energized to displace and attack civilians: 89 (including
27 children) had been killed in a recent attack at Jebel
Moon; another 200, mostly civilians, had been killed in
attacks on IDP camps at Gaz Beat in Chad. SE Natsios
underscored that if the GOS continued to support such
attacks, then the USG could no longer continue its
cooperative approach with Sudan. Citing information that the
GOS had formally decided to attack civilians, SE Natsios
warned that attacks on women and children risked altering the
current relationship between the United States and Sudan.


5. (C) General Ismat responded that he had no details on the
referenced attack on Jebel Moon. The GOS military had been
briefed that even when attacked by "undisciplined" forces of
non-signatories to the DPA, they should not attack either
women and children or villages. Ismat noted that Jebel Moon
ranged over 100 square kilometers; rebels were living among
civilians, he said. DPA non-signatories had also undertaken
unprecedented acts of violence, he added. Ismat and FM Akol
denied that GOS policy called for attacked civilians or
burning villages, but FM Akol said he would inform President
Bashir.

--------------
SUDAN ACCEPTS STRENGTHENING OF AU FORCE
--------------


6. (C) FM Akol said the GOS had not come to discuss UNSCR

1706. The GOS sought restoration of peace and security in
Darfur, in order to implement the DPA, he said. The GOS and

ADDIS ABAB 00003318 002 OF 002


USG agreed on the need to strengthen the AU force, he said,
although such strengthening was only in the interim for the
USG, but "longer-term" for the GOS. Security was a common
goal, he said. FM Akol noted that the GOS had accepted the
first of three phases of UN assistance. (NOTE: The August 28
addendum to the UN SYG's report on Darfur, S/2006/591/Add.1,
outlines the three phases of UN assistance to AMIS,
culminating in a hybrid operation. END NOTE.) In response
to SE Natsio's observation that much of UNSCR 1706 was
derived from the DPA, FM Akol noted that the GOS disagreed on
some aspects. Akol concluded by noting that the United
States should not send a delegation to Khartoum if there was
nothing concrete to offer Bashir.


7. (U) SE Andrew Natsios' staff cleared this message.
WILGUS