DR. KHALIFA: GNU TAKING ACTION TO WIDEN SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001174

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR D AND AF A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS KPKO UN AU SU
SUBJECT: DR. KHALIFA: GNU TAKING ACTION TO WIDEN SUPPORT
FOR DPA AND ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION

REF: KARTOUM 1164

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: On May 17, Charge Hume requested a meeting
with Government of National Unity (GNU) Presidential Advisor
and Chief Darfur Negotiator Dr. Magzoub al-Khalifa to discuss
the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). The Charge told Khalifa of
U.S. plans to support the DPA by assisting the African Union
(AU) in building its capacity, helping disseminating factual
information on the content of the DPA, and working with all
the parties to the agreement to make it a success.


2. (C) Khalifa responded by detailing the GNU's efforts to
meet with all groups in the Darfur in order to broaden DPA
support, start implementation, deliver additional assistance,
and ensure immediate security gains through coordination with
Minni Minawi and the Arab Militias. Khalifa felt the biggest
obstacles to peace were the supporters of Sadiq al-Mahdi and
Hassan al-Turabi, but he believes the GNU will be able to
handle them politically. He also said the government
welcomes the recent UN resolution on Darfur and is ready to
begin consultations on a UN force and its mandate. End
Summary.

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Charge Outlines U.S. Position
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3. (C) Charge Hume began by commending the GNU for its
contribution of food aid and for removing the travel
restrictions on NGOs. Charge said that the USG completely
supports the agreement and is developing plans for expanding
the capacity of the AU, militarily and administratively, so
that it can meet its commitments. This would include
assisting the AU in developing and disseminating information
related to the DPA. The U.S. Military will soon send
additional technical advisors to AMIS, and is arranging a
visit from the regional military commander in Djibouti.


4. (C) The Charge then described his recent meeting with
Darfur leaders (reftel),which was productive, and said that
their major complaint was the lack of adequate individual
compensation for victims of war. The Charge explained that
the international community cannot be involved in direct
compensation, but that it will continue to be very generous
in its aid support. Overall, the Charge said, opposition to
the DPA seems to be based on misinformation and propaganda,
but this can still be countered.

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Expanding the Consensus, Solidifying Security
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5. (SBU) Dr. Khalifa responded that he understood there was
a lot of work to do to get a wide consensus, but the GNU is
making progress through a broad outreach program to all
groups. The government is still trying to get Abdul Wahid
al-Nur to sign the DPA, but it is not waiting for him.
Khalifa believes that Nur now realizes he made a mistake in
not signing but has not found the way out. Khalifa has had
difficulties negotiating with Nur because he does not seem to
be familiar with the agreement. For example, Nur had
recently demanded the inclusion of the rebels in the
disarmament process, something that Khalifa had to point out
was already there. Khalifa also explained that the
government had been protecting Nur from Mini Minawi in Jebel
Marra but would not continue to do so.


6. (C) Immediately before the meeting with the Charge,
Khalifa had met with Minni Minawi's representatives to
coordinate security and other efforts to implement and
promote the agreement. He said that the GNU had also met
with representatives from every Arab tribe in Darfur to build
their support. The GNU warned the group that any breach of
peace from any Arab militia would be met with immediate and
strong action from the SAF, which is now an "army for peace."
After this meeting, the Arab leaders issued a statement
supporting the DPA and promising to promote it to their
followers.


7. (C) Khalifa had also met with groups of Zagahwa, as well
as leaders from various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)
camps, to encourage them to promote the agreement to their
constituency. To support this effort, the GNU is preparing a
DPA summary booklet for distribution. Additionally, high
level members of the GNU would soon meet with various social
committees to develop a strategy for building support among
both Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and refugees.

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8. (C) According to Khalifa, the DPA would benefit from
continued strong international support, because it would help
convince people on the ground that the agreement is real.
For this reason, the GNU welcomed the recent UN Security
Council resolution on Darfur and said the government is ready
to begin consultations on a UN force. He said that the right
force with the right mandate could help support to the
efforts of the African Union and the GNU to implement the
agreement.

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Delivering Peace Through Aid
--------------


9. (C) To ensure that the people see an immediate benefit
from the peace agreement, Khalifa said the GNU is taking a
variety of steps to make sure humanitarian assistance and
development aid reach the people. The first step was the
government contribution of 20,000 tons of food aid to the
WFP, because cutting rations as peace takes hold is not a
good signal. He is hoping that with an agreement, the
international community would also increase its donations.


10. (C) The GNU wants to establish a more constructive
relationship with the INGOs in Darfur. Khalifa believes that
the INGOs have shown a better attitude since the peace deal
was completed. The GNU decided to remove restrictions on
INGO movements because of this change, the expected security
gains, and the importance of delivering assistance as a peace
dividend. He said that he had also coordinated with Minawi
to make sure that several major roads around El Fashir,
including the road to Tine, remained safe and open to allow
for the delivery of humanitarian and development supplies.


11. (C) With the approaching rainy season, the GNU realizes
it will be critical to start supporting farmers right away.
For this reason, he said that the government will soon start
distributing seeds and tools to people in both the villages
and the camps, and will provide IDPs with secure farmland
near the camps. Khalifa is aware of the calls for individual
compensation, but explained that rather than the traditional
legal concept of direct compensation, the government would
also focus on supplying those affected by the war what they
need to rebuild their lives.
HUME