Sudanese Government Sends Mixed Signals on UN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001082

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO PREF UN AU SU
SUBJECT: Sudanese Government Sends Mixed Signals on UN
Peacekeeping Operation in Darfur



1. Summary: Following the May 5 signing of the Darfur
peace agreement, the Sudanese Government is giving mixed
signals to the international community regarding UN
peacekeeping operations in Darfur. On May 5, a Ministry
of the Interior spokesman stated that there was "no
problem" with UN peacekeepers coming to Sudan. On May 7,
however, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman stated
that a decision remained up to the Government, and would
be decided following an assessment of the situation. A
Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release of May 7
credited the African Union for its role in helping Africa
to solve African problems, but made no reference to a UN
peacekeeping operation. End summary.


2. On May 5, Sudanese Government Secretary General for
External Affairs in the Ministry of Information Bakri
Mulah told AP, "We heard the appeal of the UN Secretary
General (for UN peacekeepers to join those of the African
Union)...Now there is no problem...There would be no
problem to have the support of the United Nations and
other partners, the U.S., and EU, to help in
implementation."


3. However, in a May 7 statement, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Spokesman Jamal Muhammed Ibrahim told Reuters
that reports that Sudan would welcome UN peacekeeping
operations were not correct. He said, "This is not
accurate. I don't know who made this statement...It has
to come after an assessment by the Sudan government. If
the need arises then Sudan may decide to do so.
Otherwise no one has the right to impose foreign forces
on Sudan...The situation is, after the signing of the
peace accord, Sudan may look into any proposals to
helping prevent tragedy...In this context if there is any
possibility for UN forces to replace the African forces
already in Darfur, this is the decision of Sudan and it
is not going to be imposed on Sudan."


4. Ibrahim's remarks followed a press conference, during
which the Ministry issued a press release that credited
the African Union, but which made no mention of the
United Nations or further peacekeeping efforts. The text
of the release is as follows:

(Begin text - informal Embassy translation)

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

STATEMENT ON THE PEACE AGREEMENT IN DARFUR
MAY 5, 2006

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely congratulates
the Sudanese people for the great historic achievement
accomplished by signing Darfur Peace Agreement in Abuja,
on Friday, May 5, 2006.

This agreement comes as an outcome of patient serious
dialogue of long months; it asserts the Sudanese
capability of resolving their differences and reaching
common denominations that ensures fair political and
economic sharing for all, devotes national unity and
maintains the sovereignty of the country and safety of
its territory.

Accordingly, the Government of Sudan has expressed its
approval - associated with remarks and reservations- of
the agreement document since April 27, 2006; then the
Sudan Liberation Movement, chaired by Mini Arkoy and Dr.
Abdel Rahman Musa, SLM's senior negotiators (Abdel Wahid
Mohamed Nour's faction) signed on the agreement on
Friday, May 5, 2006.

This agreement has responded to aspirations and hopes of
the participants in the negotiation process. Hopefully,
all the rest of the armed movements would join the
agreement soon to commence implementation of the
agreement on the ground.

The Ministry appreciates the great efforts exerted by the
negotiators from the part of the government and the Sudan
Liberation Movement for their persistence, patience, and
capability of inventing creative solutions.

The Ministry expresses its great gratitude and
appreciation for the sisterly State of Nigeria and His
Highness President Obasanjo for hosting all the
negotiations sessions between the government and the
armed movement throughout the past two years; the
Ministry also thanks the African Union Commission and its
Chairman Alpha Konare, the senior mediator Dr. Salim

KHARTOUM 00001082 002 OF 002


Ahmed Salim, and the mediation team that made this great
achievement possible.

The Ministry expresses its great appreciation to the
international partners from the African Union and the
representatives of the United States, Britain, Canada,
United Nations, Arab League, and also the brothers from
the Libyan Jamahirya, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and
Eritrea; their good efforts had a great role in signing
this agreement.

Singing the peace agreement in Darfur under the umbrella
of the African Union and the direct auspices of the
Chairman of the African Union in its former session,
President Obasanjo and the present Chairman of the
African Union, Sassou Nguesso, President of Democratic
Congo, proves that the people of the continent of Africa
are capable of resolving their problems by themselves-
however their complicity was - and the international
community has to assist them in doing that.

The peace agreement in Darfur would represent the
greatest achievement for the African Union in the domain
of mediation and making peace similarly to the
comprehensive peace in Southern Sudan, the greatest
achievement of another African Organizations: the IGAD.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its appeal to the
other armed movements in Darfur to resort to wisdom and
common since and to join the peace procession, to drop
arms, and to head toward consolidating pillars of
stability in Darfur.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates commitment to
work with all brothers, friends and the concerned
international parties to make the peace process
successful in Darfur and to support rehabilitation and
construction efforts.

It considers this great achievement as an incentive to
double efforts to restore the regional and international
role of Sudan and to remove any distortion and confusion
from the image of Sudan.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - KHARTOUM
May 6, 2006

(End text)

STEINFELD