GNU ON BRUSSELS CONFERENCE AND U.S.-SUDAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001628 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2016 TAGS: PREL KPKO PGOV US AU UN SU SUBJECT: GNU ON BRUSSELS CONFERENCE AND U.S.-SUDAN BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP REF: KHARTOUM 01588 Classified By: P/E Chief W. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: GNU officials Presidential Advisor Ismail and State Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Wassila expressed the Government's interest in improving the U.S.-Sudan bilateral relationship, and in taking advantage of the July 18 AMIS donor's conference in Brussels to hold discussions with A/S Frazer along those lines. They noted the unexpected invitations to both First Vice President Salva Kiir and SLM leader Minni Minawi to visit the White House, and said that these had led to suspicion on the part of the Government as to the importance given to normalizing the U.S.-Sudan relationship. Charge Hume underscored the importance of a transition to a UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur, and pointed to the Darfur Peace Agreement, bilateral relations, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and counter-terrorism as agenda items for bilateral discussions at the Brussels donor's conference. He noted that time is running out for AMIS, and that the main beneficiary of peace in Darfur is the Government itself. End summary. Ismail: Seeking Improvement of Bilateral Relationship -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) CDA Hume met July 11 with Presidential Adviser Mustapha Osman Ismail and State Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Sammani Al-Wassila as a follow-on to reftel meeting to discuss preparations for the July 18 AMIS pledging conference in Brussels. (Comment: it appeared the conversation had involved an earlier discussion by the interlocutors with President Bashir. End comment.) Ismail took the occasion to detail the growth of Sudan ) U.S. cooperation in negotiating the North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). Just as earlier this year when the Abuja peace talks reached a sticking point and discussions between MFA Under Secretary Mutriff Saddiq and SPLM National Assembly leader Yassir Arman with Charge Hume had helped advance the peace process, now a similar outreach effort could help to improve the bilateral relationship. ¶3. (C) Ismail said that Sudan is looking forward to a full normalization of relations. Following the signing of the CPA, Sudan understood that the U.S. would take several positive steps, which he said had not taken place, in part 
due to the Darfur conflict. Now, Sudan has suspicions, and wanted to know if the U.S. is serious about normalizing. Even if Darfur is dealt with successfully, he said, perhaps another issue will arise to block progress, making the government feel that normalization will not occur while it is in power. Hence the relationship remains tense, with Sudan on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and under economic sanctions. It is important to start a constructive dialogue, he added, and work as partners. While this meeting is a start, the process should continue in Brussels in meetings with A/S Frazer. ¶4. (C) Al-Wassila said that that the Government of National Unity (GNU) was entering a new era, and wished to maintain peace and security. One of its main goals is to use its natural resources ) its agricultural and mineral wealth, as well as its location ) to address Sudan's underlying poverty. Marginalization, he said, is not a GNU policy, but rather the result of a lack of funds to develop distant parts of the country adequately. Sudan can get on the right track through a strategic partnership with the U.S., with each party helping the other. The U.S. is concerned with security issues in Africa, and its capacity and technology can benefit Sudan's development of its natural resources, stabilizing the region while developing the country. Charge Hume: Brussels Agenda - DPA, U.S.-Sudan, CPA, CT -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) Charge Hume noted that CJTF HOA Commander Rear Admiral Hunt had just visited Khartoum and Darfur for the past two days, representing the first visit by a senior U.S. military officer to Sudan in a generation. Admiral Hunt noted its circumstances were improving, with opportunities. While some governments in the region are now troublemakers, Sudan was trying to resolve its own problems. ¶6. (C) Hume said an agenda for discussions in Brussels would include Darfur and DPA implementation, the U.S.-Sudan bilateral relationship, the status of the CPA, and counter-terrorism. He underscored that the USG did have normalization as a goal, and that regime change is not on the agenda. Hume said that Darfur dominated concerns in Washington, and that the African Union is not capable of implementing the DPA. Furthermore, no substantive Ceasefire KHARTOUM 00001628 002 OF 002 Commission has taken place since May 5, and the recent Joint Commission meeting was unsuccessful. Special Representative Kingibe announced on July 10 that AMIS would pull out by September 30 unless a UN peacekeeping operation is on the horizon. For the Government to not let the UN take over gives the impression that it is not trying to implement the DPA. ¶7. (C) Hume said the Brussels conference would serve to raise money needed to support AMIS pending a transition to a UN peacekeeping operation. The UN mission in Sudan would have a Chapter VII mandate only to protect civilians, an element which is not in the current AMIS mandate. Sudan will be held to blame if the situation in Darfur did not improve, especially for rejecting a UN peacekeeping operation. Even Sudan's military knows AMIS is not up to the challenge. In the meanwhile, inter-SLM violence in Darfur is increasing. If disarmament and cantonment proceed successfully, UN entry in six months would be seen as reinforcing the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) process already underway. Visits of SLM/Minni, FVP Kiir Bashir Come as Surprises -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) After stepping out of the office momentarily, Ismail asked why the invitation to SLM leader Minni Minawi to visit the White House had not gone through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Charge Hume noted his significance as a DPA signatory, to which Ismail noted that President Bashir had also signed, but had not received an invitation. This gives Sudan the right to be suspicious, Ismail said. First Vice President Salva Kiir has also been invited to go to Washington, although the MFA again was not notified. This treatment left the GNU wondering why it is being treated in this manner. Ismail: Let's Compare Lists of Issues, Work for Progress -------------- -------------- ¶9. (C) Ismail suggested that perhaps both Sudan and the U.S. should draw up lists of issues to be resolved, and then compare lists. The Government wants to know what actions it would take to get off the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and to have economic sanctions dropped. He recounted how a European ambassador had done so, and had improved relations after a list of five concerns had been addressed. If President Bashir were pressed to allow a transition to a UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur, he will ask why, to what benefit? Charge Hume: Gov't Best Beneficiary of Darfur Peace -------------- -------------- ¶10. (C) Charge Hume replied that President Bashir had legitimate concerns, but that the right way to pursue an improvement in the bilateral relationship would be to recognize that the Government is the main beneficiary of peace in Darfur. The Government needs to realize that AMIS cannot do the job, and allow a transition to a UN peacekeeping operation. This would not be a favor to the U.S., but as evidence of continuing cooperation. Al-Wassila offered that we should not say no peace can be obtained without Abdel Wahid's agreement, and asked what the U.S. should do with DPA spoilers. At the end of the day, he added, a way might be found to resolve the Darfur situation without either the African Union or the UN. Sudan is a UN member, and is entitled to request assistance if needed. First, however, Sudan would need to be convinced that no other options were left. Brussels: A Week Away, AMIS Clock Ticking -------------- ¶11. (C) Charge Hume steered the conversation back to the July 18 donor's conference in Brussels, noting that a practical consideration remained: AMIS will soon collapse. Also, the event would afford a chance for earnest discussion with A/S Frazer. Al-Wassila said that the event would provide an opportunity to pave the way for an improved bilateral relationship. If there is a problem, the U.S. and Sudan should work together to solve it. Ismail suggested that the parties present meet again on July 15 to compare notes before the conference. HUME