Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM713
2006-03-20 13:50:00
SECRET
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:
SPLA CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS GOSS OFFICIALS KNOW WHERE
how-toVZCZCXRO5174 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHKH #0713 0791350 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 201350Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1970 INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0056 RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T KHARTOUM 000713
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR L, S/CT, IO, AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MARR MOPS PINS PGOV PINR SU UN
SUBJECT: SPLA CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS GOSS OFFICIALS KNOW WHERE
KONY IS AND ARE NEGOTIATING
Classified By: P/E Chief Eric Whitaker for reasons: Section 1.4 (b) and
(d)
S E C R E T KHARTOUM 000713
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR L, S/CT, IO, AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MARR MOPS PINS PGOV PINR SU UN
SUBJECT: SPLA CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS GOSS OFFICIALS KNOW WHERE
KONY IS AND ARE NEGOTIATING
Classified By: P/E Chief Eric Whitaker for reasons: Section 1.4 (b) and
(d)
1. (S) Summary: During a meeting between Consul General
(CG) Juba and SPLA Chief of Staff Oyai Deng on March 18, Deng
said that the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) is in
direct contact with Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) chief Joseph
Kony. He said that GoSS Vice President Riek Machar is
negotiating with Kony, and that Kony is currently in a camp
"a few miles" off the road between Maridi and Lafon. End
Summary.
2. (S) When CG asked if rumors of SPLA operations against the
LRA around Maridi and Yei were true, Deng replied that the
SPLA in fact was engaged in more friendly contacts. GoSS
Vice President Riek Machar had contacted Kony, who had agreed
to talks. Deng deflected questions about what was on the
table, noting only that "we want to find out what they want."
He continued that the SPLA had in fact launched operations
against LRA elements around Maridi and Yei in response to LRA
attacks. Deng thought it was strange that the LRA continued
to attack while engaged in friendly talks with the GoSS, and
thought this might indicate a command and control issue in
the LRA. He then said Kony was based a "few miles" off the
road between Maridi and Lafon. Deng appeared reticent to
offer more; CG did not press.
3. (S) COMMENT: This conversation raises several
troubling questions: If Riek Machar indeed knows Joseph
Kony's location and is not assisting in his capture, does
this make Machar complicit in continuing LRA atrocities? If
so, does this make Machar indictable by the International
Criminal Court? What are the legal ramifications for the
GoSS if, as it appears, it refrains from pursuing Kony, so as
to pursue a peace agreement with him? End comment.
STEINFELD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR L, S/CT, IO, AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MARR MOPS PINS PGOV PINR SU UN
SUBJECT: SPLA CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS GOSS OFFICIALS KNOW WHERE
KONY IS AND ARE NEGOTIATING
Classified By: P/E Chief Eric Whitaker for reasons: Section 1.4 (b) and
(d)
1. (S) Summary: During a meeting between Consul General
(CG) Juba and SPLA Chief of Staff Oyai Deng on March 18, Deng
said that the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) is in
direct contact with Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) chief Joseph
Kony. He said that GoSS Vice President Riek Machar is
negotiating with Kony, and that Kony is currently in a camp
"a few miles" off the road between Maridi and Lafon. End
Summary.
2. (S) When CG asked if rumors of SPLA operations against the
LRA around Maridi and Yei were true, Deng replied that the
SPLA in fact was engaged in more friendly contacts. GoSS
Vice President Riek Machar had contacted Kony, who had agreed
to talks. Deng deflected questions about what was on the
table, noting only that "we want to find out what they want."
He continued that the SPLA had in fact launched operations
against LRA elements around Maridi and Yei in response to LRA
attacks. Deng thought it was strange that the LRA continued
to attack while engaged in friendly talks with the GoSS, and
thought this might indicate a command and control issue in
the LRA. He then said Kony was based a "few miles" off the
road between Maridi and Lafon. Deng appeared reticent to
offer more; CG did not press.
3. (S) COMMENT: This conversation raises several
troubling questions: If Riek Machar indeed knows Joseph
Kony's location and is not assisting in his capture, does
this make Machar complicit in continuing LRA atrocities? If
so, does this make Machar indictable by the International
Criminal Court? What are the legal ramifications for the
GoSS if, as it appears, it refrains from pursuing Kony, so as
to pursue a peace agreement with him? End comment.
STEINFELD