EC'S BARROSO TO UNDERLINE SUPPORT FOR AU

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002341 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO PHUM AU EU SU SUBJECT: EC'S BARROSO TO UNDERLINE SUPPORT FOR AU ¶1. EC contacts confirm that EC President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel will arrive in Sudan on September 30. Barroso and Michel will travel to El Fasher the same day to meet with AMIS commanders and the humanitarian assistance community. The mission's goal is to underline EU support for the African Union (AU). ¶2. The EC is optimistic that President Bashir will also agree to a meeting with the delegation. In a September 25 phone call with Poloff, EC Political Advisor Jacques Prade said that Barroso and Michel would tell Bashir that the EU is concerned the Sudanese government's actions are undermining the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). In addition, they would urge Bashir to accept UN Security Council Resolution 1706 and grant humanitarian organizations complete access to Darfur. They may also meet with First Vice President Salva Kiir. ¶3. On October 2, Barroso and Michel will join 15 European Commissioners in Addis Ababa for a joint session with the AU Commission. HUME