Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM1397
2006-06-13 07:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:
SOUTHERN SUDAN: WHITE NILE AND TOTAL SHOWING
how-toVZCZCXRO6573 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHKH #1397 1640712 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 130712Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3196 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001397
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2016
TAGS: EPET ECON EINV PREL PGOV SU
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN SUDAN: WHITE NILE AND TOTAL SHOWING
THEIR CARDS IN THE PETROLEUM GAME
REF: KHARTOUM 01188
Classified By: CGJ R. Whitehead, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)
-------------------
Showing their Hands
-------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001397
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2016
TAGS: EPET ECON EINV PREL PGOV SU
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN SUDAN: WHITE NILE AND TOTAL SHOWING
THEIR CARDS IN THE PETROLEUM GAME
REF: KHARTOUM 01188
Classified By: CGJ R. Whitehead, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)
--------------
Showing their Hands
--------------
1. (C) CG encountered White Nile Petroleum, Ltd. (WNL)
Managing Director Phil Ward on June 7. Ward said that a UK
court had ruled that both WNL and Total must disclose their
records to the court and to each other. Ward predicted that
Total, which must divulge records dating from 1980, had
burned its bridges with the GoSS by forcing the issue.
--------------
Tough Times in Bor
--------------
2. (C) Ward said that things were not going especially well
for WNL. He had been under pressure from WNL executives in
the UK about excessive expenditures to keep the operation
moving. He complained that the situation did not lend itself
to economies. WNL had engaged 200 SPLA as a protection
force, and they were demanding salaries, food, fuel, and the
use of WNL vehicles, but the protection force afforded WNL
scant protection. Ward said that WNL workers had taken fire
from thirty meters from Murle militiamen ) the protectors
seemed incapable of protecting. He said that he could not
afford for any of his staff to be killed ) this outcome
would be catastrophic for WNL stock prices.
3. (C) Ward was dismissive of Total. He said that he had
been in Vice President Machar,s office with French
Ambassador Robichon, who was accorded a meeting that lasted
just ten minutes. He was equally dismissive of the Moldovan
company Askom,s operation, which he called &amateurish.8
--------------
Summary
--------------
4. (C) It is not clear if either Total or WNL, the GoSS or
Khartoum, will benefit from the UK ruling. If disclosure
occurs in due course, however, it will serve to demystify who
signed what under what terms, and when.
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2016
TAGS: EPET ECON EINV PREL PGOV SU
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN SUDAN: WHITE NILE AND TOTAL SHOWING
THEIR CARDS IN THE PETROLEUM GAME
REF: KHARTOUM 01188
Classified By: CGJ R. Whitehead, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)
--------------
Showing their Hands
--------------
1. (C) CG encountered White Nile Petroleum, Ltd. (WNL)
Managing Director Phil Ward on June 7. Ward said that a UK
court had ruled that both WNL and Total must disclose their
records to the court and to each other. Ward predicted that
Total, which must divulge records dating from 1980, had
burned its bridges with the GoSS by forcing the issue.
--------------
Tough Times in Bor
--------------
2. (C) Ward said that things were not going especially well
for WNL. He had been under pressure from WNL executives in
the UK about excessive expenditures to keep the operation
moving. He complained that the situation did not lend itself
to economies. WNL had engaged 200 SPLA as a protection
force, and they were demanding salaries, food, fuel, and the
use of WNL vehicles, but the protection force afforded WNL
scant protection. Ward said that WNL workers had taken fire
from thirty meters from Murle militiamen ) the protectors
seemed incapable of protecting. He said that he could not
afford for any of his staff to be killed ) this outcome
would be catastrophic for WNL stock prices.
3. (C) Ward was dismissive of Total. He said that he had
been in Vice President Machar,s office with French
Ambassador Robichon, who was accorded a meeting that lasted
just ten minutes. He was equally dismissive of the Moldovan
company Askom,s operation, which he called &amateurish.8
--------------
Summary
--------------
4. (C) It is not clear if either Total or WNL, the GoSS or
Khartoum, will benefit from the UK ruling. If disclosure
occurs in due course, however, it will serve to demystify who
signed what under what terms, and when.
HUME