DEMARCHE TO VP TAHA ON FM LAM AKOL'S STATEMENT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001151 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR D AND A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO AU UN SU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO VP TAHA ON FM LAM AKOL'S STATEMENT TO AU Classified By: CDA Cameron Hume for Reasons: Section 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On May 15 CDA Hume called VP Taha concerning the statement earlier in the day by FM Lam Akol to the AU Peace and Security Council. Hume said that the USG is committed to the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and was troubled by Lam Akol's attempt to deny or minimize any UN role in implementing the DPA. The USG position was that a UN peace-keeping force was needed to implement the provisions of the DPA; that lack of an early, positive decision to authorize a full UN role would risk blowing up the program to implement the DPA; and, that the USG had committed itself to support the DPA based on its well-known position that without a strong UN role peace would not be possible. If the government of Sudan had now decided to deny support for a strong UN role, it was sending a clear signal that it was not committed to peace in Darfur. ¶2. (C) VP Taha said he was not aware of the statement by FM Akol and would inform himself of the specifics. He told the CDA that to his knowledge nothing had changed since the two had discussed this issue on May 13. Sudan was ready to discuss the question with the UN, and to the best of his knowledge the issue remained under consideration by the government. ¶3. (C) Hume recalled that on May 13 Taha had said that a letter from President Bashir to President Bush was on its way to Washington. In fact the MFA had summoned him to a meeting May 16 to receive the letter. Taha said he would follow up and that it was important to stay in contact on this subject. ¶4. (C) Comment: Taha was on a cellphone at a social event and not talkative. In the earlier conversation Taha had said that Sudan would accept strengthening of the AU force, support by NATO for the AU force, and would make an early decision on transition to a UN force. The embassy understands that Taha and Minister of Intelligence Salah Gosh have advised that transition to a UN force is inevitable, if not welcome. President Bashir's letter (perhaps held back until after the May 15 AU meeting) can be expected to address this issue with more authority. End comment. HUME