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