Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM2020
2006-08-25 11:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

MORE ON POSSIBLE MEETING OF SLM DISSIDENTS

Tags:  PGOV PREF PHUM SU AU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1031
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2020 2371148
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 251148Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4278
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002020 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER
NSC FOR COURVILLE AND SHORTLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2026
TAGS: PGOV PREF PHUM SU AU
SUBJECT: MORE ON POSSIBLE MEETING OF SLM DISSIDENTS

REF: KHARTOUM 2010

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES CAMERON HUME; REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002020

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER
NSC FOR COURVILLE AND SHORTLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2026
TAGS: PGOV PREF PHUM SU AU
SUBJECT: MORE ON POSSIBLE MEETING OF SLM DISSIDENTS

REF: KHARTOUM 2010

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES CAMERON HUME; REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) On August 24 CDA Hume met with Yassir Arman, SPLM
parliamentary leader, to discuss efforts to secure support of
SLM dissidents for the Darfur Peace Agreement. Arman said he
had just returned from Asmara, where he had met separately
with SLM leader Abdul Wahid and SLM dissident leader Abdul
Shafi. He said he had a rough session with Abdul Wahid, who
was not yet able to accept that his position was crumbling
rapidly. Abdul Wahid still insisted on reconciliation with
other SLM members based on his own leadership of the movement
and on substantial changes in the DPA, such as immediate
announcement of a re-unified Darfur region. Arman said he
explained bluntly that Abdul Wahid needed to seek
reconciliation of the movement first, rather than a guarantee
of his own position, and to make a strategic choice for peace
within the framework of the DPA. In that case Arman said
others could respond to him on his concerns. Arman judged
that Abdul Wahid was not persuaded to change course.


2. (C) Arman said he had met twice with Abdul Shafi, who said
he did not want to subscribe to the National Redemption
Front,s rejection of the DPA. In discussion of a possible
meeting of SLM cadres to decide leadership and policy issues,
Abdul Shaafi said that, if transport from Asmara could be
arranged for himself and 15 other colleagues, he was prepared
to travel to southern Sudan for a conference. Arman said he
would brief Salva Kiir on this idea later the same evening.
Hume pointed out that A/S Frazer would arrive on August 26
for a two-day visit to Khartoum and would want to discuss
this possibility further with FVP Kiir.


3. (C) On August 25 CDA Hume met with senior SLM/Minawi
leaders Dr. Salah al-Haj Manna, Ali Traio, and Mahgoub
Hussain at their request. Dr. Salah told Hume that he had
talked with Abdul Shafi twice in recent days. Abdul Shafi
had said he wanted to leave Asmara with his colleagues if
transportation could be arranged. Abdul Shafi,s preference
was to go to Nairobi for a two to four day conference with
other SLM leaders, including cadres in Darfur, and then to
return to Darfur by traveling through southern Sudan. When
asked how much financial support might be needed to arrange
this conference, Dr. Manna said the SPLM had enough money to
pay for the transportation and other arrangements, if it were
willing to do so.


4. (C) Comment: The upcoming visit by A/S Frazer and AF/SPG
Director Landis provides a good opportunity to pursue this
matter directly with both FVP Kiir and Minni Minawi, as well
as with their lieutenants who have had direct conversations
with Abdul Wahid and Abdul Shaafi. End Comment.
HUME