SUDAN/DARFUR: EGYPT-LIBYA-SUDAN SUMMIT POSTPONED

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001450 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER UNSC KPKO EG SU LY SUBJECT: SUDAN/DARFUR: EGYPT-LIBYA-SUDAN SUMMIT POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER PSC MEETING REF: A. STATE 36548 (NOTAL) ¶B. CAIRO 1413 (NOTAL) ¶C. CAIRO 1299 (NOTAL) ¶D. CAIRO 970 (NOTAL) Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The DCM delivered ref A demarche late March 7 to Presidential Advisor and Spokesman Soliman Awad, emphasizing the importance of GOE support for the transition of the African Union's peacekeeping operation in Darfur to a UN PKO. Awad said that a planned three-way summit between President Mubarak, President Bashir, and Libyan leader Qadhafi had been postponed until on or about March 14 after Mubarak returns from a Europe trip. ¶2. (C) Addressing the planned meeting between Mubarak, Bashir, and Qadhafi, Awad said the purpose will be to pressure Bashir to make concessions within the Abuja peace track. Awad said Mubarak believed it was possible for Bashir to make concessions to his own people - not a foreign power - in the interest of peace. Awad added that Bashir and Qadhafi were not "transparent with one another," and that President Mubarak hoped to bring the two together to move their respective positions closer. ¶3. (C) On re-hatting AMIS forces to a UN PKO, Awad said "we do not share Qadhafi's position." He said Article 8 of the UN Charter is clear that the UN is the ultimate multilateral body and regional organizations are subordinate to it. There should be no rivalry between the UN and the AU, he said. Rehatting would bring more troops and more resources. Mubarak, he added, will urge Bashir to accept a Chapter 6 mandate in the broader context of progress on the Abuja peace process. ¶4. (C) Comment. The Egyptians support rehatting AMIS within certain limits, and attach less importance to the March 10 PSC meeting then to Mubarak's planned personal engagement with Bashir and Qadhafi. The GOE timeline is focused on working directly with these key regional leaders next week to ensure agreement on a compromise solution that can be endorsed at the March 28-29 Arab League Summit in Khartoum. End comment. RICCIARDONE