CONFIRMED DIFFICULTIES WITH THE DIPLOMATIC POUCH

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002649 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR AF/EX, DS COURIER SERVICE, AND DS/IP/AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PREL ADPM OFDP SU US SUBJECT: CONFIRMED DIFFICULTIES WITH THE DIPLOMATIC POUCH REFS: A. Khartoum 02417, B. Khartoum 02455 ¶1. (SBU) Background: In late September, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) did not grant, as requested by post, appropriate paperwork to allow Post personnel to meet an airQft carrying a classified pouch. Compounding our problems, Air Egypt received instructions to forbid the USG courier from de-planing. However, Post was able to receive (but not send) the monthly pouch on September 28 despite the GOS attempt to prevent delivery (Note: The incident is described fully in reftels. End note.) As a result of the GOS failure to sign the required paperwork on a timely basis, Post established a policy of canceling pouch runs if the paperwork is not in hand at least 48 hours prior to the run. It was determined that this period is needed in order to safely cancel a pouch run. ¶2. (SBU) Second Attempt: For the late October pouch delivery, Post requested that MFA sign the required paperwork to allow airport access. Once again, the paperwork was not forthcoming in a timely fashion; however, owing to a general slowdown of work activity due to Ramadan, and early closure of the MFA for the Eid al Fitr holidays, it was impossible to determine conclusively that our pouch was actually refused admittance, or whether we had fallen victim to seasonal inefficiencies. ¶3. (SBU) Current Situation: On November 5, Post again submitted paperwork to the MFA for airport clearance to meet the pouch, which was due to arrive on November 9. Once again, the documents remained unsigned at the MFA as of the COB on November 9, the day the pouch was to arrive. On November 9, Charge Powers and Pol/Econ Chief raised the issue with MFA Under Secretary Mutriff Siddiq, who was surprised to hear of the matter. Mutriff directed Deputy Director for the Americas Abdel Rahman Sharfi to follow-up and resolve the matter. Sharfi promised to report back to the Embassy early next week. ¶4. (SBU) In Ref A, Post requested approval of language for a diplomatic note to be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That request is still open. Post recommends coordination with the Department of a high-level response to this situation if a solution is not agreed upon with the MFA by November 16. ¶5. (SBU) Summary: Post has been denied a classified pouch exchange on three occasions over the past two months. There is a growing backlog of inbound and outbound pouch traffic that needs to be cleared. But more importantly, the regular transmission of diplomatic information needs to be re-established and maintained consistently in conformance with Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Post believes that the difficulties now encountered with the diplomatic pouch stem from the Sudanese Government's lingering displeasure with the annotation of visas issued to President Bashir and his delegation when traveling from Havana to New York for UNGA. At 5:50 p.m. on Nov 9, the MFA contacted the Management Counselor to advise that the Ministry will provide gate passes for the next week's pouch delivery. POWERS