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