Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM2427
2006-10-03 08:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

DARFUR: MEETING WITH EU'S HAAVISTO

Tags:  PGOV PREL SU UN EU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7647
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2427 2760827
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 030827Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4833
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002427 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG AND AF/SE
NSC FOR COURVILLE AND SHORTLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SU UN EU
SUBJECT: DARFUR: MEETING WITH EU'S HAAVISTO

REF: KHARTOUM 02419

Classified By: DCM R. Powers, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002427

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG AND AF/SE
NSC FOR COURVILLE AND SHORTLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SU UN EU
SUBJECT: DARFUR: MEETING WITH EU'S HAAVISTO

REF: KHARTOUM 02419

Classified By: DCM R. Powers, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: In an October 2 discussion with CDA Hume, EU
Special Representative to Sudan Pekka Haavisto described his
recent meetings in Asmara with rebel leaders and Eritrean
officials; the Sudanese government's internal divisions and
its refusal to negotiate with the international community;
and the visit of European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso to Sudan. End summary.

--------------
REBELS FRACTURED BUT CAPABLE
--------------


2. (C) During his October 2 meeting with the CDA, Haavisto
summarized his meetings in Asmara the previous week.
Eritrean officials told Pekka that the rebel groups have the
capacity to take control of several major cities. Haavisto
said the Eritreans supply weapons to the groups and thus have
a good idea of their abilities. If this occurred, the
Sudanese government would retaliate in the internally
displaced persons camps, the conflict could spread to
Kordofan, and the country would be "split." According to
Haavisto, the non-signatories remain fractured. Abdulwahid
Al Nur has allied himself with the National Redemption Front
(NRF),with which he plans to issue a joint statement in the
near future. Ahmed Abdulshafi is vacillating between joining
the NRF and pursuing discussions on "DPA plus," presumably
the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) with a supplement to address
compensation and Janjaweed disarmament.

--------------
NCP INTRANSIGENCE
--------------


3. (C) Haavisto said that Presidential Advisor Mustafa Osman
Ismail, who was also in Asmara, admitted that there are
fissures within the National Congress (NCP) Party leadership
on whether to pursue a military option or to negotiate.
Haavisto noted that the Sudanese government has not empowered
an interlocutor with the international community. He pointed
to Vice President Ali Osman Taha's refusal to take phone
calls from EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solano, and
President Bashir's refusal to meet with Solano at the UN
General Assembly in September. The Sudanese government has
also deemed the former foreign minister of Mauritius,
nominated to replace Baba Gana Kingibe as African Union (AU)
special representative, an "American spy."

--------------
BARROSO'S VISIT
--------------


4. (C) According to Haavisto, Barroso assured Bashir during
their meeting on September 30 that the international
community had no hidden agenda behind UN Security Council
Resolution 1706, but Bashir kept to his firm rejection of UN
forces (reftel). Barroso also met with Senior Assistant to
the President and SLM leader Minni Minawi and a "large
entourage." Minawi emphasized that he needed international
support to shore-up his base and to demonstrate the benefits
of the DPA to the other non-signatories. Haavisto said that
Barroso's visit to El Fasher and meetings with the AU
underscored AMIS' limitations.
HUME