SUDAN: EASTERN PEACE TALKS GOING WELL, DON'T

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 006172

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PTER KDEM EG SU ER
SUBJECT: SUDAN: EASTERN PEACE TALKS GOING WELL, DON'T
INTERFERE

REF: STATE 164613 (NOTAL)

Classified by Minister Counserlor for Economic and Political
Affairs William R. Stewart for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Drawing from reftel background and talking points,
poloff shared with MFA Cabinet staff member Ahmed Aboul Zeid
on October 2 USG concerns regarding the direction of peace
talks between the Government of Sudan and Eastern rebel
groups currently taking place in Asmara, Eritrea. Aboul
Zeid, advisor to the Minister on Africa issues, quickly
declared that Egypt did not share U.S. views on the status of
the peace talks in Asmara, and cautioned Washington to "leave
the file alone." Reports on the status of the peace talks,
he said, are all positive and indicate that agreements are
close to finalization.


2. (C) Aboul Zeid said that a wealth-sharing Memorandum of
Understanding had just been signed by both parties, and other
issues were being addressed constructively. He asserted that
there were no reports of serious violence in the area among
the main protagonists, and differentiated between the higher
demands of Darfur rebels and those of the Eastern Front. The
Front, he said, was mainly looking for financial benefits
from enhanced economic activity in the region - particularly
infrastructure projects. "We have very positive signals from
the parties," he said, and "do not share your assessment" of
the situation. Aboul Zeid praised the Eritrean mediation
role, and once again cautioned the U.S. not to interfere in a
process which the Egyptians see as moving in a positive
direction. While committing to share the demarche
internally, Aboul Zeid was unresponsive to our talking point
on inclusion of international observers in the peace talks.
RICCIARDONE