MINAWI COMMITTED TO DPA BUT PLEADS FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 002811 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS, AND AF/SPG NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO AU SU UN SUBJECT: MINAWI COMMITTED TO DPA BUT PLEADS FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT REF: KHARTOUM 02807 ¶1. (SBU) During a December 7 meeting with ambassadors at the African Union Darfur Peace Agreement Implementation Office, Senior Assistant to the President and Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) leader Minni Minawi affirmed his commitment to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA),but pleaded with the international community to support him in his efforts to establish peace in Darfur. "Our choice is the Abuja peace agreement," said Minawi. "We believe the Darfur Peace Agreement is the way to get people to peace...but we cannot take the authority that is needed without the international community." Minawi indicated that the SLM could not continue to limp along in the face of attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF),the Janjaweed, and the DPA non-signatories. "Where is the international community's support? What is your idea for promoting peace in Darfur?" questioned Minawi. "My concern is the dignity and peacefulness of my people as soon as possible, and I need your help." -------------- NCP, Sudan-Chad Rivalry Cause Crisis -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Minawi disputed the assertion that the crisis in Darfur was a "tribal war," saying that the tribes had been living together for "5,000 to 6,000 years." Instead, he blamed the National Congress Party (NCP) for arming some groups against others in an attempt to create "facts on the ground" and on the tensions between the Sudanese and Chadian governments. He said that the Sudanese-Chadian tensions and Chadian support for the National Redemption Front (NRF), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM),and the G-19 would need to be addressed in order to end the Darfur crisis. One of Minawi's advisors also noted the influence of the Arab Gathering--a shadowy movement that seeks to create an Arab crescent throughout the Sahel--and said that its adherents in the Sudanese government were working with Arab militias to advance the Gathering's goals by 2020. (Note: As reported reftel, this same advisor described this issue in a December 6 conversation with Embassy staff. End note.) -------------- CDA Calls for Emergency CFC -------------- ¶3. (SBU) CDA Hume said that the USG shared Minawi's concerns about the Sudanese government's disingenuous efforts to implement the DPA and said that the NCP's plan to stabilize the security situation in Darfur by force had clearly failed. He called for an emergency session of both the Cease-fire Commission (CFC) and the Joint Commission (JC),which received support from Minawi and the other ambassadors. French Ambassador Christine Robichon noted that a CFC meeting would provide an opportunity for the two-chamber structure of the CFC, which would include DPA non-signatories, to be activated. Head of the European Commission Delegation Kent Degerfelt said that the international community would be unable to provide financial support for recovery and development in Darfur until an effective cease-fire mechanism was in place. (Note: AU Deputy Head of DPA Implementation Amb. Boubou Niang said that meetings of the CFC and the JC would be scheduled soon, both possibly in El Fasher. End note.) CDA Hume also asked Minawi's advisor to provide a brief on the Arab Gathering for the ambassadors, most of whom were unaware of it. He agreed to do so on a bilateral basis. -------------- Negotiations with Non-Signatories -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Minawi voiced his concern that DPA non-signatory leaders were negotiating separate agreements with the Sudanese government and called these "pieces of peace." He claimed that these discussions were being used by the NCP to undermine the agreement, and he emphasized that as a signatory to the DPA, SLM/Minawi should be included in the negotiations. "If there are any good ideas for supporting this peace--politically and financially--I think it will go forward and other non-signatories will join," said Minawi. He also reiterated his support for an international peace-keeping force in Darfur, though one of his advisors added that the "intensive consultations" between the United Nations (UN) and the Sudanese government regarding such a force should be more inclusive of the SLM/Minawi. Minawi suggested, however, that in the face of international inaction and continuing violence by the NRF and Janjaweed, KHARTOUM 00002811 002 OF 002 the SLM/Minawi would move to create a joint force for the protection of civilians. He did not elaborate on the structure of such a force. HUME