SPLA Chief of Staff Disappointed

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001898

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS US SU
SUBJECT: SPLA Chief of Staff Disappointed

REF: Khartoum 00902


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The SPLA Chief of Staff, Oyai Deng, is
disappointed with the assistance he has received from the USG
program to transform his military from a guerilla movement to a
professional military. Tired of waiting for the U.S., the SPLA is
now proceeding with transformation plans on its own. In particular,
Deng cited unfulfilled promises from Dyncorps, the U.S. contractor,
to build two training bases, renovate or build a temporary command
and control center, provide military trucks, furnish communication
equipment, and construct prefabricated housing for SPLA officers.
The SPLA is now using existing resources and hiring a private
British firm to meet its needs. END SUMMARY.

--------------
Deng Expresses Appreciation and Frustration
--------------


2. (SBU) In a meeting with Acting Consul General Juba on August 7,



Deng described a series of miscommunications and unfulfilled
commitments that has diminished his confidence in both Dyncorps, the
USG implementing contractor, and overall U.S. support for the SPLA.
He began by explaining his deep appreciation for everything the U.S.
had done for the SPLA/M and the South, and said if nothing else were
ever done it would be more than enough. That said, Deng explained
that military transformation had stalled because he had been relying
on the United States to follow through with commitments it made to
help transition the SPLA into a professional fighting force.

-------------- --------------
SPLA Command and Control Center, Housing Needs Unmet
-------------- --------------


3. (SBU) In particular, Deng discussed several projects over the
past year that were meant to be completed in the short term but have
not yet begun. One of these projects was the establishment of a
temporary command and control center in Juba, which Dyncorps
promised to complete. The SPLA initially offered an existing
building to be renovated, but were told it was not appropriate and
that a new building would be built. The land for this new building
was identified long ago, but Deng pointed out that they were still
working out of the old, dilapidated building and had no indication
when the new offices would be built.


4. (SBU) Deng also said the SPLA had turned down several offers over
the past year to build prefab temporary housing for its officers
because Dyncorp had agreed to build the SPLA a camp. The officers
are currently housed in a commercial tent camp at the cost of USD100
per tent per night. Unable to wait for Dyncorps any longer, the
SPLA has purchased 200 tents for a camp to be built near the
airport. Hearing that they already purchased the tents, Dyncorps
then offered to build the camp infrastructure, including concrete
tent pads. It is now almost two months later, and Dyncorps has only
fenced the site and drilled two boreholes.

-------------- --------------
SPLA Training Centers - Perhaps the Brits Instead
-------------- --------------


5. (SBU) Another important project was the building of two training
centers for SPLA troops, which he said Dyncorps agreed to do nearly
a year ago. After much discussion, it was agreed that the first
center would be built in Malau, outside of Rumbek. Although it has
been many months, Deng said that virtually nothing has been done at
that site (reftel). The SPLA has therefore started training its men
with existing resources in several largely undeveloped sites around
Southern Sudan. The SPLA has also engaged a private British
security firm (NFI) to help support its training mission.

--------------
Keep on Trucking...Not
--------------


6. (SBU) In addition to construction projects, Deng said that the
USG had agreed to provide communication equipment and trucks to the
SPLA, neither of which have arrived. He says that he has not heard
anything on the status of the communications gear, and has heard
conflicting stories on the status of the trucks. Initially, he said
the SPLA requested heavy, all-terrain Russian military trucks. The
SPLA had used similar trucks, provided by Ethiopia, to great success
during the war. Deng understood why the USG was unable to purchase
the Russian trucks, and then asked for MAN military trucks instead.
Deng explained that he has been told both that the trucks were on
their way and that the trucks were too expensive and could not be
bought. Dyncorps reportedly has offered DAF trucks as an
alternative, but Deng said they are unacceptable because of the lack
of roads and harsh conditions in Southern Sudan. Deng also refused
Isuzu trucks on similar grounds, but said he could use Toyota trucks
if the larger trucks were outside the budget. Deng is still waiting
for any type of truck to arrive. (Note: The SPLA has purchased
several of the Russian trucks on its own. End note.)








HUME