DynCorp Article Resonates, Perhaps Badly

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001938

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR EAID PGOV KPKO US SU
SUBJECT: DynCorp Article Resonates, Perhaps Badly



1. (U) This is an action request - see para 5.


2. (SBU) On August 12, the online news service Sudan Tribune carried
an article titled, "US Firm to Turn South Sudan Rebels into
Soldiers." The article states that Reuters interviewed DynCorp Vice
President for International Business Development Al Rigney in Juba
on August 12 on the margins of a trade fair in which DynCorp was an
event sponsor. The article stated DynCorp would begin next year to
reshape thousands of former southern Sudanese guerilla fighters into
a professional army; the training would be ongoing for the next
several years and put to work a rebel militia force with too much
idle time.


3. (SBU) On August 13, the Sudan Tribune carried a follow-on piece,
"Sudan SPLM Denies Contract with US Firm to Reshape SPLA." The
article states that the SPLM has denied these assertions, and
instead quotes SPLA Major General Bior Ajang as stating the SPLA is
reshaping its structures into a modern force under the control of
the Government of Southern Sudan, but without any foreign
assistance. He instead referred to UN proposals to modernize the
joint forces, which would constitute the core of the national army
if the South opts for unity with the North.


4. (SBU) The content of the article, however, does not correspond
with either the account of DynCorp activities provided to First Vice
President Salva Kiir during his recent visit to Washington or to
post's understanding of the DynCorp contract. The article's
misleading coverage of the apparent DynCorp statement begs
clarification; its timing and necessity are puzzling at a time when
the USG is working urgently to gain Sudanese acceptance of a UN
peacekeeping operation in Darfur.


5. (SBU) Action requested: AF/SPG is requested to ensure that
DynCorp make no further public statements on its work in Sudan.


HUME