Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
06KHARTOUM1166 | 2006-05-16 17:19:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Khartoum |
VZCZCXRO6645 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHKH #1166 1361719 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 161719Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2854 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE |
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001166 |
1. (SBU) Summary: CG met with Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Gier Chuang Aluong on May 9 to discuss telephone service - or the lack thereof - in Juba and the South. Aluong described what he saw as a systematic plot by Khartoum to prevent the South from establishing reliable communications within the South and to the outside. He said that the GoSS is preparing to set up its own competing systems to link Southern Sudan to itself and the larger world. End Summary. -------------------------- GoSS Taking the Heat -------------------------- 2. (SBU) Aluong apologized for his long absence from Juba - he was the only GoSS minister the CG had not yet met - and explained that he had frequently been abroad, mostly in Uganda, as part of the commission preparing the report on the death of John Garang. He noted that in some ways his time abroad had been a blessing - he was probably the most embattled minister of government because of popular dissatisfaction with the dysfunctional internal telephone systems. 3. (SBU) Aluong said that the South was the victim of authorities in Khartoum who had refused to provide reliable service to the South. He said that he had repeatedly raised this with his counterpart in the Government of National Unity, who had responded in a testy letter declaring that telecommunications was a sovereign power and that the GoSS had no authority to establish any telecommunications links whatsoever. Aluong remarked that Khartoum feared losing its access to the on/off switch, as well as its ability to monitor calls. He noted that the Mobitel cellular system had functioned in a satisfactory manner until shortly after the GoSS established itself in Juba, at which time the system ceased functioning altogether. -------------------------- The South to Go its Own Way -------------------------- 4. (SBU) CG noted that for the first time since his arrival in January, the Mobitel system had started to work normally again. Aluong replied that Khartoum had done upgrades and switched it back on when they learned that the South was preparing to install a competing system of its own constructed by a South African firm. He added that the CPA granted the GoSS concurrent powers in this domain. Aluong said that he had installed a GSM switch in Yei that was currently undergoing testing. CG asked how the GoSS would deal with Khartoum in the use of Sudan's international country code. 5. (SBU) Aluong cited the cellular system installed in Rumbek shortly after the temporary establishment of the GoSS there. It had used the Canadian country code. He said that he had asked Uganda for permission to use its code, but had thus far received no reply. He added that he intended to obtain access to a country code from somewhere, possibly by paying a rental fee. He hoped to travel to Washington within a month to discuss with the Federal Communications Commission the ramifications of this approach. He also planned to meet with the International Telecommunications Union. Aluong said that he expected Khartoum to showcase the recently restored Mobitel system as an example of GoSS disrespect for the CPA, but continued that he no longer cared. He had seen enough bad faith on the part of the North, which seemed intent on making unity as unattractive as possible. Given the record, it was intolerable that the North should maintain control over the ability of southerners to communicate. 6. (SBU) Comment: It is not certain that Aluong's interpretation of concurrent telecommunications authority is supported by the text of the CPA, but it is very refreshing, after several months, to have a telephone that actually works, whatever the gamesmanship might be. Aluong numbers among the former Garang acolytes who now increasingly express doubt about Garang's vision of a unitary Sudan. There has been some speculation regarding Aluong's links to the new phone company, but nothing has been confirmed. End comment. HUME |