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 -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- ¶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? -------------- -- ¶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