LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BASHIR TO PRESIDENT BUSH

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001165

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON PLEASE PASS TO D AND AF A/S FRAZER
DEPT FOR AF/SPG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2016
TAGS: PREL OPDC SU
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BASHIR TO PRESIDENT BUSH

Classified By: Acting P/E Chief Michael Honigstein for Reason: Section
1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) On May 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented
the following letter to Charge Hume from President Omer
Bashir to President George W. Bush. President Bashir thanks
the United States for its support in making the agreement
possible and pledges his government's full effort in
implementing the DPA. The letter does not bring up the
United Nations or the deployment of UN troops. Bashir does
mention the State Sponsors of Terror list and indicates that
Sudan is looking to normalize relations now that the Darfur
Peace Agreement (DPA) is signed. The original will be
hand-carried to AF/SPG by the Pol/Econ Chief.


2. (C) COMMENT: Bashir's letter should have backed up his
commitment to implement the Darfur Peace Agreement with a
clear indication that the Government of Sudan would welcome a
UN peace-keeping operation. It did not. Nevertheless, his
letter gives us an opening to reply that improved bilateral
relations depends both on cooperation in the war on terrorism
and on peace in Darfur, including successful implementation
of the peace agreement backed by a UN peace-keeping force.
An early visit by S/CT coordinator Crumpton would provide an
opportunity to convey this message and to review the steps
needed before Sudan could be removed from the list of state
sponsors of terrorism. End Comment.


3. (C) Text of the letter follows:

(Begin text)

13th May 2006

Excellency,

I am writing to thank you for your letter of the 4th instant
May and to express my gratitude for your personal interest
and your Government's engagement in the inter-Sudanese peace
talks on the conflict in Darfur which has come to a
successful conclusion with the Darfur Peace Agreement,
initialed in Abuja on 5 May 2006 by the Government of Sudan
and Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM).

My Government and the people of the Sudan recognize the role
played by your good person and your administration in making
this agreement possible. My appreciation is particularly
extended to Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Robert B.
Zoellick, whose expertise and aptitude made the leader of the
main SLM faction take this historical and courageous step to
bring an end the bloodshed and suffering in Darfur.

While waiting for the other remaining faction in Darfur,
namely the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the SLM
faction led by Mr. Abdul Wahid to sign the agreement, I would
like to assure Your Excellency of my commitment to fully and
effectively implement the Darfur Peace Agreement.

It is my hope that your administration will continue efforts
to urge the two other factions to sign the agreement as soon
as possible so that a lasting, comprehensive and just peace
is ensured.

In the meantime, I look forward to the promotion of the
bilateral relations between our countries in the political
and economic spheres. I ask you to give serious consideration
to removing Sudan the Terrorist List. Your good offices with
donors and international agencies are indispensable to ensure
the flow of resources and technical assistance required for
rehabilitation in Darfur and other war-affected parts of the
Sudan.

Please accept, Honorable President, the assurances of my
highest consideration.



Omer Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir
President of the Republic of the Sudan



Honorable Mr. George W. Bush,
President of the United States of America
Washington, DC.

(End Text)
HUME