Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM972
2006-04-24 11:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

SUDAN/CHAD: FM Lam Akol Provides Chad-Sudan

Tags:  PREL CD SU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2424
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #0972/01 1141144
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 241144Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2451
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
NATEU/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000972 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/SPG
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CD SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN/CHAD: FM Lam Akol Provides Chad-Sudan
Briefing; U.S.-EU Demarche

Ref: A) Khartoum 00938, B) State 60228, C) USEU Brussels

01305

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000972

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/SPG
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CD SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN/CHAD: FM Lam Akol Provides Chad-Sudan
Briefing; U.S.-EU Demarche

Ref: A) Khartoum 00938, B) State 60228, C) USEU Brussels

01305


1. (SBU) Summary: On April 23, Foreign Minister Lam Akol
briefed the diplomatic corps on the state of Chad-Sudan
bilateral relations. He outlined the events of the past
several months, stating that Chad had made a series of
statements and taken several actions that were not
supported by evidence, and which harmed the longstanding
relationship. Sudan wants a stable Chad, and is not
working to destabilize Chad. Chad suffers from internal
conflicts and is not participating in mechanisms
established under the Tripoli Agreement designed to
defuse tensions between the states. FM Akol expressed
concern about Chad's treatment of its embassy and
nationals, and noted that Chad had withdrawn from the
Abuja peace talks on Darfur. After the presentation,
Charge and EU presented demarche on Chad issues; Akol
firmly rejected the allegation that Sudan was in any way
supporting Chadian rebels. End summary.

U.S.-EU Demarche
--------------


2. (SBU) After the group briefing (see below),Charge,
French Ambassador Robichon, and EC Ambassador Dagerfelt
met separately with FM Akol to present demarche on
Sudan/Chad. (French Amb. had contacted Charge on April
22 that she had instructions to proceed. AU did not join
the demarche). After presentation of the points to the
FM, Akol responded as follows:

-- With regard to U.S.-EU concern that Sudan is directly
or indirectly supporting Chadian rebel groups, Akol said,
"give us evidence of this support." He said this
allegation presumes that Deby's accusations are accurate.
He added that he hoped we are also making points to the
Chadian president that he cease his support for the
Darful rebels. He reiterated what he had said in the
larger meeting that Chad had refused to participate in
the border security operations. These allegations, he
said, were unacceptable to the Sudanese Government.

-- Akol also responded to the point that Sudan has an
obligation to promote democratic stability in Chad. He
rejected the point, saying it was none of Sudan's
business to interfere in Chad's internal affairs.

-- On the point of an early UN assessment mission, Akol
answered in now familiar terms. While Sudan continued to

welcome the UN's humanitarian work in Darfur, the
government would not accept UN forces unless it was "part
and parcel of a peace agreement," and that the mandate of
such a UN force was agreed to by the parties and defined
in a peace agreement. The transition from an AU to a UN
force was not an issue the AU could mandate or engage in;
this was a political matter that needed agreement of the
government of Sudan. Discussions must take place
directly between Sudan and the UN. The demand for a UN
assessment team was therefore premature.

FM Briefing of Ambassadors
--------------


3. (U) During a 30-minute briefing of approximately 60
diplomats, Foreign Minister Lam Akol outlined Sudan's
views on the state of its bilateral relationship with
Chad. He made the following points:

-- Chad's allegations are not new, although the scale and
the steps taken may be so. These reflect internal
differences within Chad.

-- Sudan wants a stable Chad, and seeks for all neighbors
to be stable. Sudan stands to suffer if Chad's conflict
spills over, with refugees entering Sudan and security
problems taking place. Sudan's relations with Chad had
been cordial, and the two states exchanged information
and coordinated on policies. It is the task of a neutral
state not to support rebels of a neighboring state.

-- Now, Chad is in trouble. The demands of President
Deby's relatives have led to the present circumstances.
He dismissed the Presidential Guard and closed the
Chadian consulate in El Geneina and the Sudanese
consulate in Abeche last November. Sudan wanted to send

KHARTOUM 00000972 002 OF 002


a delegation to discuss matters, and Chad refused.
President Bashir tried to call President Deby; his
efforts were met with excuses and no discussion took
place.

-- Chad then accused Sudan of assisting rebels. FM Lam
Akol talked to the Chadian foreign minister in Bamako
during the Africa-France meeting, but the latter could
not be forthcoming without instructions from his
government.

-- As Chadian rebels approached Sudan in December, they
were met at the border and offered two choices: disarm
and enter under UNHCR protection as refugees, or remain
in Chad.

-- At the African Union Peace and Security Council
meeting in Addis Ababa in January, Chad repeated the same
complaints against Sudan, without offering material
evidence.

-- Sudan continues to stress the need for dialogue,
although Chad continues to be hostile. President Deby
had declared war against Sudan in late after an attack on
Adre, but withdrew the declaration hours later.

-- In February, the Tripoli mini-summit, chaired by
Qadafi and the African Union, two agreements were
reached: an agreement on how to handle disputes, and a
communique reflecting the outcome of the meetings. The
relationship should have been normalized following this
development. Political and military committees were to
monitor the agreement; they agreed on the composition of
forces, which involved Chad, Sudan, and others as
witnesses. Teams were dispatched to El Geneina, El
Fasher, and Abeche, although Chad did not send team
participants. This occurred, he said, because Chad did
not want others to see its support for rebels in Darfur.

-- Chad then took several actions: stating that Sudan
was behind the attacks on Ndjamena; claiming that the
attackers were Sudanese; severing diplomatic relations,
asking Sudanese to leave the embassy and closing it; and
declaring that genocide was taking place in Darfur,
calling upon international organizations to become
involved.

-- Sudan re-iterates that it has nothing against Chad.
Sudan is the last to want to destabilize it. Chad has
internal problems, and we cannot interfere. Sudan is
trying to stick to the Tripoli Agreement. Chad can raise
issues within the Agreement's context through the two
committees. Sudan has sent representatives and is ready
to interact. Sudan respects the sovereignty of other
states and Chad is no exception. Sudan welcomes the
Libyan initiative, and the need to cool down.

-- Sudan calls on the international community to support
the Abuja peace process on Darfur. On the day following
breaking diplomatic relations, Chad sent an armed group
to enter Sudan's embassy in Ndjamena, despite Libya's
serving as protecting power with a flag flying. Chad's
public announcement that it would no longer be
responsible for the security of Sudanese nationals in
Chad was an open call to "do what you want to do" with
Sudanese citizens. Sudan hopes that Chad will listen to
logic and re-establish the longstanding ties between Chad
and Sudan. Chad needs to look inside itself, and to
listen to its own citizens. Chad would do well to deal
with its conflict credibly, fostering better relations
with the African Union, UN, and its neighbors.


4. (U) In response to questions, FM Akol noted that Chad
had unilaterally severed diplomatic relations with Sudan.
He also said that Chad was withdrawing its delegation
from the Abuja peace talks; he noted that Chad was no
longer an honest broker, and that Sudan had asked the
African Union to drop it from the talks.

STEINFELD