GNU PREPARED TO MOVE QUICKLY ON EASTERN FRONT

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