A/S FRAZER MEETING WITH EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000363 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PASS AF/FO, AF/RSA, AF/SPG, AND NEA/ELA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL EG US AU SU SUBJECT: A/S FRAZER MEETING WITH EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AHMED ABOUL GHEIT Classified By: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reasons: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: A/S Frazer and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit met in Khartoum outside the AU Summit on January 24. Aboul Gheit urged U.S.-Egyptian cooperation in Africa; he described the Nile River and countries adjacent to the Arab world as Egypt's priorities in Africa. He said the situation in Somalia is not ripe for resolution, although Egypt is supporting a unification conference. Darfur's conflict stemmed from a lack of understanding about resource constraints, being ignored by the government, and the effects of "outside powers." The U.S., he said, shuld support water management projects in Darfur and counter interference by neighboring states. He noted the Sudanese foreign Minister's interest in working with the U.S. to resolve the Darfur conflict. Aboul Gheit said Hassan al-Turabi may have connections to Darfur rebel groups, but that the Sudanese government did not wish to deal with him. He described Libya as seeking to play a role in the Darfur situation to gain influence; he sees Eritrea as trying to prevent Sudan and Ethiopia from strengthening their bilateral relations. End summary. -------------- -------------- Egypt's African Stakes are Nile, Arab World Collar States -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On January 24, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told A/S Jendayi Frazer in Khartoum outside the AU Summit that Africa is not a domain in which Egypt and the United States should compete, but rather cooperate. Egypt's key interests in Africa are two-fold: the Nile basin and the outer tier of the Arab world, which he described as Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. Egypt wants to work with the USG to stabilize and help develop the continent. He hopes both can exchange ideas and information. -------------- -------------- Somalia: "Not Ripe for Resolution," Egypt to Fund Talks -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) On Somalia, Aboul Gheit said that despite "so many approaches, so many initiatives" that the situation still is not ripe for resolution. Each warlord, he said, has his own interests at stake. Egypt has contributed $2.5 million of an estimated $38 million needed to fund resolution efforts. The UN has asked Cairo to host a Somali unification conference, he added, and Egypt expects the Arab League, EU, and others to fund the remainder. A/S Frazer responded that the Inter-Governmental Agency for Development (IGAD) does not have the necessary resources to sponsor the talks, and that its members would not contribute troops for peace-keeping efforts there. Ethiopia thinks it can control the Somali unification talks; viewing Somalia as a terrorist-prone wasteland, it is concerned that worldwide Islamic tendencies are on the rise. -------------- -------------- Darfur Misunderstood, Ignored, Influenced by Outsiders -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Regarding Sudan, Aboul-Gheit said that Western Europe did not understand the nature of the Darfur conflict. Changing climate and environmental factors had led to reduced rains, causing tribes to have to migrate in search of water and pasture land. This triggered conflict through competition for scarce resources. He also blamed the "stupidity of the government" in not giving enough attention to the Darfur region. He also listed "outside powers" as key, stating that John Garang had "use Darfur to pressure the government's position" in addressing the North-South conflict. Darfur, he said, needs "patience" and "even handedness; it should not be singled out as an issue. The U.S. and former Secretary Powell were mistaken in applying the threat of economic sanctions, which are a "knife at the throat" of the Sudanese government. This stance has changed somewhat, but the damage has been done. -------------- -------------- FM Aboul Gheit: U.S. Should Work to Stabilize Darfur -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) The U.S., he said, "should help (Darfur) through stabilization," which could include water resource management projects and "keeping the neighbors (Chad) out." The U.S. must understand Darfur's culture, wherein an AK-47 denotes manhood and tribes attack one another for women, as though it were "Arabia 2000 years ago." Islam came as an ideology, teaching respect for life and other ideas. The U.S. needs to KHARTOUM 00000363 002 OF 002 put in effort to gain a solution for Darfur; Aboul Gheit said Foreign Minister Lam Akol had mentioned to him the GNU's interest in working with the U.S. to form a plan to resolve the Darfur conflict. Egypt also is keen to assist, as a means to "pacify the region." -------------- -------------- FM Aboul Gehit Comments on Turabi, Libya, Eritrea, & Chad -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) In response to A/S Frazer's question about the role of Hassan al-Turabi in Darfur, Aboul Gheit said that the Sudanese government is not eager to deal with him, fearing he might try to "topple the president." "If you give him a knuckle, he will take an arm," he added. Turabi may nonetheless be connected to the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). Regarding the recent JEM/SLA alliance, he said that the Libyans know, and "hold lots of keys." Their interest is to "play a role," with as "authority emanates from the ability to influence others." The Libyans hence give arms to both sides; money also plays a role, although it is a short-term tactics, as it had to be furnished periodically. Nonetheless, the Libyans share interest with Egypt ) peace and stability. ¶7. (C) According to Aboul Gheit, Eritrea has a hand in Darfur, due to Ethiopia. Asmara seeks to prevent Sudan and Ethiopia from developing "good relations." Ethiopia "is hard to be a friend to," he noted. ¶8. (C) Regarding Chad, Aboul Gheit said that the Zaghawa were "over-reciprocating" by crossing the Darfur-Chad border to wage attacks on both sides of it. It would be helpful to "bring people with special knowledge" of the Zaghawa, he concluded. Within "three years" the conflict could be "resolved." ¶9. (U) A/S Frazer approved this message. ¶10. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. HUME