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.

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NATSIOS VISIT POST ADDIS
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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.

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NON-SIGNATORIES
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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.

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CHAD
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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