MEETING WITH STATE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002681 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY, ADDIS PLEASE PASS TO AF/SE NATSIOS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2026 TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PHUM KPKO SU US AU SUBJECT: MEETING WITH STATE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS KARTI Classified By: CDA Cameron Hume, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: According to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Karti, the Government of Sudan welcomes another visit by Special Envoy Natsios, to include a meeting with President Bashir, following his meetings in Addis Ababa. Sudan also appreciates continued U.S. support to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). International community insistence on UNSCR 1706, however, served only to entice non-signatories to continue to pursue military means. On the situation in Chad, Sudan envisions no problems with UN border monitors in Chad and the Central African Republic. However, these monitors must not in any way be related to UNSCR 1706. End summary. ¶2. (C) On November 15, CDA Hume met at his request with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Karti. Hume briefed Karti on future assistance to AMIS and U.S. plans to assist a conference of non-signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). The United States wished to initiate a positive, good faith effort, maintain forward momentum in efforts to broaden support for the DPA, and isolate those who sought to continue to wage war. While cautiously optimistic, Hume warned against overly high hopes for the conference. He underscored that the National Redemption Front (NRF) would not be welcome. Hume then addressed Secretary General Annan's "phased approach" plan to be discussed in Addis Ababa November 16. While supportive of efforts to bolster AMIS, Hume clarified that the U.S. position remains in support of UNSCR 1706. -------------- NATSIOS VISIT POST ADDIS -------------- ¶3. (C) Karti praised the first visit of Special Envoy Natsios to Khartoum, characterizing it as a thoughtful, fact-finding mission. The Government of Sudan welcomed a second visit at the conclusion of the Addis meeting. Karti also volunteered President Bashir's view that a meeting between Natsios and Bashir during Natsios' first trip might have been premature and even counterproductive. It was better that they meet on a second visit. Karti said that President Bashir was currently out of the country, but that he would inquire with the President's office as to when he would return. -------------- NON-SIGNATORIES -------------- ¶4. (C) Karti dismissed efforts to engage DPA non-signatories, asking why they professed to fight for peace when there was a peace agreement. When the international community passed UNSCR 1706, these groups reverted to t18ow|initiative as a good-faith effort. -------------- CHAD -------------- ¶5. (C) Hume raised the state of emergency in Chad and asked the Government's position on events there, especially the proposal to put UN monitors in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR). In reply, Karti referenced the UN monitoring mission along the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia, very close to the Sudanese border. Sudan had no problems with this mission. Likewise, Sudan would have no problems with UN border monitors in Chad and CAR. However, these monitors must not in any way be construed to represent implementation of UNSCR 1706. ¶6. (C) Comment: The outcome of a visit by Special Envoy Natsios to Khartoum following meetings in Addis would depend on the position taken by the Government of Sudan regarding peacekeeping in Darfur. Unless there is positive movement on the part of the Sudanese, there could be less reason for Special Envoy Natsios to come to Khartoum for an unproductive, and perhaps even counterproductive, meeting with President Bashir. End comment. HUME