SUDAN: MFA DISCUSSES UN RE-HATTING OF AMIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000674

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG AND AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO NATO AU US SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN: MFA DISCUSSES UN RE-HATTING OF AMIS

REF: KHARTOUM 00605

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and
(d)


1. (C) Summary: During a March 15 discussion, MFA Acting
Americas Director Abd Elghani said that ending the Darfur
conflict through a political settlement was Sudan's priority,
not finding a role for another UN peacekeeping force. He
urged the U.S. to work with Sudan to push for a peace
agreement in Abuja, serving as a non-judgmental partner. Abd
Elghani also reflected on the recent Harvard symposium on
Sudan, which he depicted as an event attended by those who
already had made up their minds about Sudan, seeing it as
frozen in time, without crediting its many changes. End
summary.

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Abd Elghani: Focus on Peace, Not a Role for the UN
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2. (C) On March 15, Pol/Econ Chief met with MFA Department of
the Americas Acting Director Abd Elghani Elnaim Elkarim to
hear his reactions to the March 10 AU/PSC decision on
peacekeeping in Darfur. Much along the lines offered in
reftel, he made the following points:

-- Sudan, the African Union (AU),and the United States have
the same objective: protection of the citizens of Darfur and
the provision of humanitarian access to them;

-- There is thus an urgent need for a political settlement in
Darfur;

-- There are no major differences in views, except regarding
when a UN mission can come to Darfur. The Government sees
this as permissible after an agreement is reached; at that
time, the people of Sudan will understand its role in
supporting peace;

-- The Government and interested parties need to consolidate
work, and reinvigorate the process by helping parties to
reach a settlement;

-- The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) provides
modalities for a peace agreement in Abuja. The experience of
20 plus years of war, with "every family being touched," gave
impetus to conclude a political settlement for Darfur as soon
as possible. The Sudanese were "not born to be warriors;"

-- Sudan and the United States should focus together on a
solution to Darfur. The U.S. should not judge, but be a
partner to Sudan in this process; and

-- The United Nations is not a part of the conflict in
Darfur, and the focus should be on peace, not creating a role
for the UN. The UN would find itself in a large conflict in
a large area, against the will of the public. Also, it
remains an open question as to how the people of Darfur would
respond to a UN presence. Furthermore, the troop level of
UNMIS has not reached the 10,000 target, and UN peacekeeping
operations are considerably more expensive than AMIS. A UN
presence may prolong conflict, and retard development and the
conclusion of the peace process.

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Harvard Symposium: A "Crisis of Assumptions re Sudan"
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3. (C) Abd Elghani also reflected on the early march Harvard
symposium on Sudan, wherein he noted academics spoke of Sudan
in a detached manner, as though conditions were today as they
were in 1989 following the coup. He lamented this crisis of
assumptions about Sudan, and the reluctance of crediting the
nation with progress. He said many present did not appear to
listen to viewpoints of the Sudanese Government, and referred
to his sense that what should have been a vigorous discussion
was instead a monologue.

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Abd Elghani: Sudan Changing, Seeks Better U.S. Relations
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4. (C) Abd Elghani noted that participants appeared to
welcome the toppling of the Sudanese government. Yet
fundamental change is happening in Sudan, he asserted, as
demonstrated by the progress being made by its multi-ethnic
society toward democracy. Forced change does not work; the
ultimate goal should be the development of good relations
with the United States. Areas such as counter-terrorism show
that Sudan can work with the U.S. The two should be partners

KHARTOUM 00000674 002 OF 002


for peace and development, allowing for views that are not
identical.
HUME