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. -------------- -------------- Abd Elghani: Focus on Peace, Not a Role for the UN -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- -------------- Harvard Symposium: A "Crisis of Assumptions re Sudan" -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- -------------- Abd Elghani: Sudan Changing, Seeks Better U.S. Relations -------------- -------------- ¶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