KARTI WELCOMES NATSIOS VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002484

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR A/S AF FRAZER AND SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016
TAGS: PREL SU
SUBJECT: KARTI WELCOMES NATSIOS VISIT


Classified By: Acting P/E Chief Michael Honigstein, Reason: Section 1.4
(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Ahmed
Karti said he hoped the upcoming visit of Special Envoy
Andrew Natsios would be an opportunity for dialogue
concerning Sudanese/American relations. In a meeting with
Charge d'Affairs Cameron Hume on October 10, Karti requested
frank discussions on a full range of issues. He asked that
Natsios come to Khartoum directly to show respect for
Sudanese sovereignty. To help prepare for the visit, the
Charge asked Karti about specific points where common ground
may be found, including strengthening of the Ceasefire
Commission and greater respect for a ceasefire, UN SYG Kofi
Annan's recent suggestions to reinforce AMIS, and a
coordinated effort to get support for the Darfur Peace
Agreement (DPA) from the non-signatories. Karti agreed that
these were all good discussion points, and even responded
positively to the Charge's question on deployment of UN
troops along the border in Chad. End Summary.

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A New Beginning
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2. (C) Karti said that he and his staff would do what was
necessary to support the upcoming Natsios trip and that
neither visa issues nor travel restrictions would create any
obstacles. Karti said that the members of the GoS wanted to
move past all the recent threats and problems on both sides,
including the harsh rhetoric, the treatment of Foreign
Minister Lam Akol in Washington, the treatment of Assistant
Secretary Jendayi Frazer on her visit to Khartoum, and the

SIPDIS
visa problems on both sides. Karti was pleased that the
Charge took the time to discuss the Natsios visit and
possible itineraries in advance, which he indicated boded
well for the visit itself. He underlined several times that
it is critical that Natsios come directly to Khartoum to show
respect for Sudanese sovereignty and avoid the misperceptions
that have been created by getting information third-hand.

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Finding Common Ground
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3. (C) To prepare for the Natsios visit, Charge Hume asked
about areas where there appeared to be overlapping interests
as an opportunity for discussion. The Charge brought up SYG
Annan's recent proposals to reinforce AMIS, including his
joint letter with AU Commission Chair Alpha Oumar Konare and
his last report to the Security Council, particularly the
basic suggestions in paragraphs 40-47 and the more robust
ideas in paragraphs 48-60. Karti said that the GoS would
welcome discussions of these pointers as a basis for an
interim agreement, including any way to strengthen the
ceasefire. The Charge then asked about the possibility of
deploying UN troops in Chad along the border with Sudan,
which Karti indicated was possible. Karti also showed
interest in the possibility, suggested by the Charge, that
the AU could improve the situation by instituting a rolling
ceasefire, perhaps first stabilizing the south, then the
west, and finally the north.


4. (C) The Charge then brought up ways Sudan and the U.S.
could work together to get support for the DPA from
non-signatory rebel groups. Karti said he was open to any
assistance in achieving this, and suggested the international
community and the GoS work together to pressure the
outstanding groups while offering some incentives. The
Charge explained that several countries, including Egypt,
Eritrea, and a group of western nations had all suggested
separate conferences, and that at some point one would have
to come first. Karti said the issue of non-signatories was
one that should be discussed.
HUME