EMBASSY KHARTOUM CAPACITY TO SUPPORT DARFUR PEACE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001140 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR D, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND AF/EX E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2016 TAGS: AMGT APER PGOV PREL KPKO US SU SUBJECT: EMBASSY KHARTOUM CAPACITY TO SUPPORT DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT REF: A. KHARTOUM 1117 ¶B. KHARTOUM 1040 ¶C. KHARTOUM 281 Classified By: Classified by Mgt Counselor Jonita Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- see para 5. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: Managing USG support for stability in Darfur involves both personnel and funding resources. Additional personnel include a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (slated to arrive at post shortly),reporting officers for Darfur, special protective equipment, and the establishment of an S/CRS office (anticipated for the summer of 2006). Although requirements are being detailed at present, Embassy Khartoum has identified several line items of its FY 2006 Program budget that could be re-programmed to cover the estimated costs. End summary. -------------- -------------- Embassy Khartoum Personnel/Equipment Needs to Support DPA -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Ref A noted personnel requirements for both Khartoum and Darfur. This includes a Contracting officer's Technical Representative (COTR),reporting officers in Darfur, special protective equipment, and S/CRS presence. Post anticipates the arrival of COTR Howard McGowan in the near future; we will work with him to ensure that a productive relationship is maintained among contractor PA&E, the Embassy, and AMIS. Staffing for Darfur reporting requirements is under review, and will benefit from Embassy's expanding Pol/Econ staff this summer as well as renewed consideration on the DoD side. Special equipment for U.S. personnel is under review, with an item list and estimated costs anticipated in the near future. The S/CRS function should be addressed this summer by the establishment of an office in the Embassy consisting of an FO-02 IROG officer, a contractor, and an OMS. There are bidders at present for the first position, and a handshake has been accepted for the third. The contractor position merits further Embassy-AF/SPG discussion. ¶3. (C) Embassy believes that further staffing for implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement can be addressed by itself, AF, and/or USAID; this might include additional Political Officers, Public Affairs Officers, or staff for Darfur Field Offices. All TDYs would be closely coordinated, with security of paramount importance. The overall aim will be to accomplish mission goals while minimizing the footprint in Darfur. -------------- Costing and Funding Issues -------------- ¶4. (C) Costs for the addition of the above personnel may include the rental of accommodations (perhaps hotel suites, at USD 350 per day, if a staffing surge so requires),office space in Darfur (blast-resistant containers for long-term office and/or accommodation in Darfur cost USD 600,000 each), telecommunications (VSAT Flyaway costs USD 65,000); bandwidth circuitry costs USD 85,000; vehicles cost USD 60,000; armored vehicles cost USD 115,000; special protective equipment costs an estimated USD 5,000; Iridium phones (10) cost USD $20,000; and office equipment and supplies cost an estimated USD 50,000. ¶5. (C) Action requested: Embassy Khartoum requests that the AF Bureau review its FY 2006 Financial Plan to re-program funds allotted to Rumbek and Juba that have not been expended, and to re-designate these Program funds to support the implementation of the DPA. Embassy Khartoum also proposes that Khartoum be used as a forward operating base to support such activities, in a manner similar to those underway at present for Consulate General Juba, limiting infrastructure support costs. HUME