MFA RAISES CONSULAR ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001801 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR AF/SPG, S/CPR, CA/VO - J NYSTROM, CA/EX - P CANTRELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2016 TAGS: PREL CVIS CMGT PINR US SU SUBJECT: MFA RAISES CONSULAR ISSUES Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The MFA's list of consular issues includes an interest in faster processing for official and diplomatic visas, better treatment for Sudanese officials at U.S. ports of entry, tourist and business visas in Khartoum versus Cairo, facilitated documentation for Sudanese diplomats in the U.S., and entry of U.S. nationals into Sudan without visas. Although EmbOffs offered explanations and constructive advice, the MFA indicated that reciprocal treatment of U.S. officials would be the consequence if the situation is not ameliorated. The meeting is one of a series of MFA indications that its hopes for normalized relations are not bearing fruit. The meeting offered an introduction to meet the newly appointed MFA Director for the Americas, Amb. Abdul Basit Badawi al-Sanosi, who has just completed four years of service in Paris. End summary. MFA: Top Five Consular Issues in Bilateral Relationship -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) During a July 26 meeting, newly appointed MFA Director for the Americas Abdul Basit Badawi al-Sanosi and Deputy Director Magdy al-Mufaddal listed the Ministry's top consular issues in a meeting with Pol/Econ Chief and Pol/Econ/Consular Officer. They are as follows: -- Visas for Sudanese officials and diplomats: as relations are gradually normalizing, waiting three weeks for visas is too long; -- Treatment in the U.S.: while use of the VIP lounge at Khartoum International Airport and other courtesies are extended to U.S. officials, Sudanese officials are not accorded similar treatment in the United States. This includes long waits in immigration processing at ports of entry; -- Sudanese tourist/business visas: At present, Sudanese visas, other than for official and diplomatic travel, involve travel to Cairo for processing. This requires Sudanese to obtain visas to Egypt and involves otherwise unnecessary travel and other expenses; -- Treatment of Sudanese officials in the U.S.: Sudanese diplomatic personnel experience long delays in having ID cards and tax exempt documentation in Washington. A survey of other missions indicates that Sudanese officials have to wait longer to receive documents. When inquiries are made of the Department of State, the response is that such transactions involve multiple offices, and hence take much time and effort; and -- Entry of U.S. nationals without visas: there have been instances where U.S. nationals have entered Sudan through either Chad or through countries bordering Southern Sudan without visas. Sudan regards this as violations of international law. ¶3. (C) EmbOffs offered the following responses: -- A three-week wait for even official and diplomatic visas is typical in many countries. A review by the Embassy indicates that in many cases the MFA does not promptly provide an assembled package of a diplomatic note, passport, application, and photograph to facilitate processing, with many follow-up inquiries often necessary; -- When Sudanese officials travel to the U.S., it would be helpful for the Sudanese Embassy in Washington to submit a diplomatic note to the Protocol Office at the Department of State Protocol to facilitate appropriate treatment. On many occasions the USG has not been advised as to the comings and going of Sudanese officials, and hence not in a position to render assistance; -- Embassy Khartoum has limited facilities and staffing to process visas, in addition to providing assistance to U.S. nationals. The practice of issuing diplomatic and official visas only commenced in November 2005; in two years a new Embassy will permit a re-examination of visa processing capabilities; -- Embassy agreed to inquire whether the processing of Sudanese diplomatic officials was an unduly lengthy process. Pol/Econ Officer noted that he had been in Khartoum since February, but had still not received a diplomatic ID card; and -- The USG regards the entry of individuals into another country without proper visas a serious matter, and respects sovereignty. ¶4. (C) In discussion, al-Sanosi and al-Mufaddal accepted explanations, although did make it clear that the MFA would be "obliged to use reciprocity if the issues are not resolved." Biodata Note -------------- ¶5. (C) The new Director of Americas, Abdul Basir Badawi al-Sanosi, assumed his post earlier this week, having completed a four-year assignment as Ambassador to France. His previous assignments include Ndjamena, Djibouti, Beijing, and Paris, as well as Director of the Minister of Foreign Affair's Office during the term of Mustafa Osman Ismail as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) This meeting continues a series of MFA remonstrations about its treatment, wherein the Sudanese at several levels have expressed concerns that the USG is moving the goalposts in what it hoped would be a normalization of relations following the signing of the CPA and DPA. Despite the positive tenor of this meeting, the MFA has made it clear that it still sees only sticks, and no carrots. STEINFELD