SUDAN: AUSTRALIAN SHADOW FM DISCUSSES DARFUR,

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001550

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO PGOV SOCI MARR AU AS SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN: AUSTRALIAN SHADOW FM DISCUSSES DARFUR,
CHINA


Classified By: Pol/Econ E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Australian Shadow Minister for Foreign
Affairs Kevin Rudd discussed security and humanitarian access
issues with the Charge on June 29. The discussion included
the possibility of China's assuming a constructive role in
Darfur in addition to its current economic partnership with
Sudan. End summary.

Charge Hume: UN Capacity Needed in Darfur; AMIS Lacking
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2. (C) On June 29, Australian Shadow Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Trade and International Security and Federal Member
Kevin Rudd, accompanied by Cairo-based Third Secretary Stuart
Campbell, called on Charge Hume. Ruud, a former diplomat,
related his recent meeting with the Deputy Secretary and his
interest in both the security and humanitarian access aspects
of Darfur. In response to his inquiry about what could be
done to assist, Charge Hume noted the importance of getting
the UN on the ground in Darfur, as the African Union Mission
in Sudan (AMIS) lacks capacity and is distrusted by
Darfurians, who regard it as being too close to the Sudanese
Government. The UN is larger and more mature, and has the
organizational capacity to establish a secure environment
where refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) could
return home to plant crops at the end of the rainy season
just now beginning. Expanding the number of AMIS troops
alone would not address security needs adequately, but would
rather compound the complexity of its own operations.


Ruud Probes Nature of Sudan's Objections to UN PKO
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3. (C) Ruud inquired regarding the nature of the Sudanese
Government's objections to transitioning to a UN peacekeeping
force; the Charge said it feared U.S. involvement, and
remained apprehensive about the ICC. Rejecting a UN
peacekeeping mission reflects internal political dynamics,
even though the Sudanese Government realizes that AMIS cannot
carry out its mission. Eventually, a UN mission will be
permitted a role, he added.

Ruud Inquires about Humanitarian Access, WFP Shortfalls
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4. (C) Regarding humanitarian aspects, Ruud asked whether
access remained an issue. The Charge said that despite a
difficult operational environment, access is nonetheless
adequate. This has created a certain level of dependence,
however, upon IDP camps for food, health care, and education,
none of which exist in abundance outside. It will take years
for most to become self-sustaining in their home villages, he
noted. Ruud also expressed concerns about potential WFP
funding shortfalls later in 2006; the Charge said that the
gap between projected needs and pledges is narrowing, but
that the key factor in the food equation would be the extent
of planting taking place during the end of the rainy season
in August-September.

China: From Economic Partner to Peace Builder?
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5. (C) A China hand, Ruud observed the importance of Sudanese
oil to China; he also mentioned a recent visit by a group of
Chinese laws enforcement officers to Sudan. The Charge
concurred that the China-Sudan relationship is expanding,
noting that seven percent of China's oil already derives from
Sudan, and that China had made 13 of the largest 15
investment projects so far. A little distance remains
between Sudan and China, however, and Sudan was not on the
itinerary for either of two major African tours by Chinese
governmental delegations so far this year. The Charge said
China might be able to play a positive role in anchoring
peace in Darfur. Ruud said China does not appear to object
to the findings of the recent joint African Union ) UN
technical assessment mission on a transition to a UN
peacekeeping operation, and added that China might not object
to UNSC action to launch such a mission.
HUME