SUDAN SANCTIONS - MORE ON RAIL/BARGE SPARE PARTS

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000273 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR D, AF/SPG AND EB/EPC TREASURY FOR OFAC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ELTN ETTC EAID PHUM OPDC US SU SUBJECT: SUDAN SANCTIONS - MORE ON RAIL/BARGE SPARE PARTS REF: Khartoum 0112 ¶1. (U) This is an action request for EB/EPC - see para 4. ¶2. (U) In reply to the letter dated January 16, requesting assistance in securing imports of railway parts(reftel),the Charge replied to First Vice President Salva Kiir on January ¶29. Text of the letter follows. (Begin text) Thank you for your letter of January 4 regarding processing export licenses for the Government of National Unity's proposed purchase of railroad and river transport barge spare parts from U.S. suppliers. I have informed U.S. authorities of the interest of both parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in rebuilding the rail line to Wau and in improving river transport from Kosti to Juba. These lines could be used to develop the South, assist in the return of internally displaced persons, redeploy military forces, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies to the South and Darfur. I am confident that your request will receive full consideration in any decision to approve a waiver of U.S. economic sanctions. Such a decision can only be made, however, in response to the filing of an application for an export license by a U.S. exporter with the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury. Do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance in this matter. (Signature) (End text) ¶3. (U) In a separate but related development, poloff met on February 1 with the Minister of Transport, Kuol Manyang (SPLM). The minister provided a copy of a letter dated January 7, 2006, from Sudan Railways to GE Transportation Systems Division in Erie, PA. The letter requests assistance in releasing railway spare parts which were impounded and remain in Belgium because of the imposition of U.S. economic sanctions. Attached to the letter is a 12- page list of parts for engines, air compressors, airbrakes, electrical parts, and miscellaneous items. A copy of the cover letter has been scanned and emailed to AF/SPG. (Comment: The letter was sent via courier, but it was addressed simply to GE Transportation Systems Division, and not to an individual. The minister's staff said they have yet to receive a reply. End Comment.) ¶4. (U) Action requested: EB/EPC is requested to advise Embassy Khartoum if and when export license requests are submitted pertaining to the above purchase proposal. HUME