MFA Convokes Ambassadors, GNU Outlines New

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000823 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SU SUBJECT: MFA Convokes Ambassadors, GNU Outlines New Foreign Policy Objectives ¶1. (U) Summary: The MFA has convened its ambassadorial corps for a conference to re-examine directions in Sudanese diplomacy. Senior government officials addressing the opening session noted the realities of the CPA, pressures from abroad, new leadership, the role of membership in international organizations, and the need to address the question of North-South unity as critical issues. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On April 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an opening session for a five-day conference to deliberate on the nation's foreign policy objectives. The event, the first of its kind in three years, convened Sudan's ambassadors from more than 50 overseas missions. With perhaps 200 government officials and perhaps 30 diplomatic guests in attendance, the opening featured remarks in Arabic by MFA Under Secretary Mutriff Saddiq, Foreign Minister Lam Akol, and Vice President Ali Osman Taha. The MFA distributed a paper in Arabic on foreign policy directions; it will be sent by septel. (Comment: a retired ambassador advised that the MFA would soon rotate ambassadors, with the new team reflecting the diversity of the Government of National Unity. End comment.) -------------- -------------- Mutriff: CPA, Challenges from Abroad, New Vision Key -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) U/S Mutriff noted that the MFA had not organized a like conference in a long time, and said that it was now being held to address the new political realities created by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),the challenges faced by Sudan from abroad, and the new visions that the ministry's leadership wished to chart. -------------- -------------- FM: Analyze Challenges, Seek Solutions, Make Unity Goal -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Minister Akol said the conference would give an opportunity to Sudanese diplomats to analyze challenges thoroughly and seek modern solutions. He added that the CPA has freed Sudan from the burdens of war; the key is to devote energies now for the development of the country and its people. The focus of Sudanese diplomacy in the coming years is to make North-South unity attractive. -------------- -------------- VP Taha: Diplomacy a Tool, Use Organizations for Benefit -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) The Vice President noted that diplomacy is important as a state tool, both in war and in peace. This has produced results, as the CPA brought both peace and the Government of National Unity. Sudan sees that many in the international community are in a state of mutual suspicion. How do we reassure one another mutually, he asked. Sudan is party to many agreements, and belongs to several international organizations. What benefits has it derived from this? If Sudan is not using these circumstances to its benefit, it is giving them up as lost. Finally, Sudan needs to reorient its foreign policy to address its domestic realities. Its policies should also be anchored in Sudan's history. STEINFELD