Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM1043
2006-05-03 14:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

GNU PREPARED TO MOVE QUICKLY ON EASTERN FRONT

Tags:  PGOV PREL ER SU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2564
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1043 1231428
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 031428Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 0062
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2588
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001043 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, ABUJA PLS PASS AMB HUME

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ER SU
SUBJECT: GNU PREPARED TO MOVE QUICKLY ON EASTERN FRONT
NEGOTIATIONS

REF: ASMARA 381

Classified By: P/E Chief E.Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001043

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, ABUJA PLS PASS AMB HUME

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ER SU
SUBJECT: GNU PREPARED TO MOVE QUICKLY ON EASTERN FRONT
NEGOTIATIONS

REF: ASMARA 381

Classified By: P/E Chief E.Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This is an action request ) see para 5.


2. (C) On May 1 and 2, USAID Mission Director Almquist met
with Yassir Arman, head of the SPLM caucus in the National
Assembly, who indicated that momentum was building between
Khartoum and Asmara to pursue talks with the Eastern Front.
On May 2, Abdullah Jabber, the Eritrean "Sudan Watcher,"
returned to Khartoum from Abuja with GNU Vice President Taha.
Arman said that the GNU reportedly is seeking to reach out
to Asmara to neutralize the collaboration between Eritrea and
the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM),among other motives.
Therefore, the GNU is supportive of Eritrea's facilitating
talks with the Eastern Front and is prepared to move quickly.



3. (C) On May 2, Arman told Almquist that after meeting
jointly with President Bashir, Director of National
Intelligence and Security Services Salah Gosh, and Jabber,
Jabber is expected to return to Asmara to brief President
Isaias Afwerki on proposals to move forward. Arman said that
he would accompany Gosh to Asmara within the next two days
to discuss the process and timing of the negotiations between
the GNU and Eastern Front. He indicated that Khartoum would
be willing to accept international observers for the
negotiations, but the list at present does not include the
USG, only the UN and EU. Arman inquired as to whether the
USG wanted to observe the Eastern Front ) GNU talks. He
plans to make the recommendation to the GSE within the next
two days. He believes that the GSE would accept a USG
observer from Khartoum or Washington, but not from Embassy
Asmara.


4. (U) Note. On May 2 President Bashir announced Sudan's
support for Eritrea's initiatives to begin negotiations with
the Eastern Front. End Note.


5. (C) Action requested: Embassy Khartoum requests
Department's guidance on the issue of a USG observer to the
anticipated GNU-Eastern Front negotiations.

STEINFELD
STEINFELD