UNSC/DARFUR: ANNABI BRIEFS AND DRAFT RESOLUTION IS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001598

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SU UNSC KPKO
SUBJECT: UNSC/DARFUR: ANNABI BRIEFS AND DRAFT RESOLUTION IS
CIRCULATED

REF: 17AUG2006 BRUNO-DEPARTMENT E-MAIL

Classified By: ACTING POL COUNSELLOR MOLLY PHEE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In August 17 Security Council
consultations, Assistant Secretary-General for peacekeeping
operations Annabi painted a bleak picture of the current
situation in Darfur as a result of the faltering Darfur Peace
Agreement (DPA) and the weak African Union Mission in Sudan
(AMIS). Annabi noted that the Government of National Unity's
(GNU) 'peace plan' for the stabilization of Darfur contained
several disconcerting elements, such as the reiteration of
GNU opposition to UN troops in Darfur. To attempt to move
the GNU away from this staunch opposition, Annabi noted that
SYG Annan recently proposed a meeting between the Council and
FM Akol in New York. UK PR Jones Parry stressed that the
proposed meeting should not delay Council action on Darfur
and circulated a draft resolution co-sponsored by the U.S.
(text sent refmail) on the transition of AMIS to a UN-led
operation. China, Russia and Qatar stated that GNU consent
was a precondition to the adoption of any draft resolution.
Unlike other African Council Members, Congolese Ambassador
Ikouebe agreed with the assessment of the Russian and Chinese
delegations and was pessimistic about the prospects for
gaining GNU consent for transition. END SUMMARY.

DPA LACKS EFFECTIVENESS
2.(C) A/SYG Annabi noted that the security, political, and
humanitarian situation in Darfur has deteriorated
significantly since the signing of the DPA. According to
Annabi, the DPA has been rendered virtually ineffective
because of rebel groups, like the National Redemption Front
(NRF),who have formed anti-DPA movements. Those who have
signed the agreement continue to violate its tenets, which
has resulted in a loss of its credibility and continued lack
of support from large segments of the population. UK
Ambassador Jones Parry noted that in order to remedy this,
parties involved must recognize the DPA's tangible benefits.
The representative from Qatar emphasized the need to enforce
the DPA and blamed the non-signatories for its
ineffectiveness, especially the faction of the Sudan
Liberation Movement/Army (SLA/M) led by Abdel Wahid Nur and
the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Khalil
Ibrahim. Using a typical Chinese refrain intended to shift
culpability for the crisis in Darfur from the GNU to rebel
factions, the Qatari delegate argued for targeted sanctions
against non-signatories to the DPA and those who were
hindering the peace process.

AMIS LACKS RESOURCES; CANNOT CONTINUE AFTER 30 SEPTEMBER
3.(SBU) Annabi pointed out that AMIS' lack of funding and
resources has precluded it from protecting civilians and
implementing the DPA. He stressed that, without increased
funding, AMIS will not be able to continue after its
September 30 mandate expires. Ambassador Jones Parry and the
representative from Denmark noted that, although many pledges
were made at the Brussels conference, few have been
collected; Ghanaian PermRep (and current UNSC President)
Effah-Apenteng remarked that the GNU's uncompromising
attitude toward AMIS transition may be a cause for the
shortfall in support to AMIS.


4. (C) Annabi noted that a UN team is currently in Addis
Ababa to consult with the African Union (AU) on the
re-hatting of AMIS. Although Annabi stressed that the
earliest possible transition date is January 1, Ambassador
Sanders and Ambassador Jones Parry continued to push for an
October 1 transition. Jones Parry described the eventual UN
operation as a long-term solution that would require a
gradual transition process. He noted that because this would
be the UN's most challenging peacekeeping operation to date,
it is necessary to ensure that the transition process is
complete before the UN assumes full control. Annabi reminded
the UNSC of President Bashir's recent statements to the press
warning that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) would take
action against a UN force and likening it to the recent
conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This remark was
reiterated to USUN in a separate meeting with Chief of Staff
Mark Malloch Brown, but a Russian delegate told USUN
privately that this type of rhetoric was 'simple propaganda'
from the GNU in its attempt to identify a ladder to climb
down in order to accept UN forces in Darfur.

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5. (C) Annabi pointed out that SYG Annan continues to hold
discussions with the GNU and that Annan suggested that FM Lam
Akol visit New York for further discussions on the escalating
crisis. Ambassador Sanders pointed out that a meeting with
FM Akol would only stall the peace process, since President
Bashir is the ultimate decision maker. The representatives
from Russia, Congo, and Denmark disagreed, pointing out that
FM Akol would convey the discussion with SYG Annan to
President Bashir directly. The U.S., UK, China, and Denmark
advocated for UNSC Members and the international community to
use all possible influence to weigh in with the GNU and
garner consent for the UN Darfur operation. Jones Parry
added that the UK has appointed Special Envoy Rod Pullen to
engage with the GNU and that he is seeking an audience with
FM Lam Akol.

GNU SUBMITS PLAN FOR PEACE AND STABILITY

6. (SBU) Annabi noted that the GNU has developed a 'Plan for
the Restoration of Stability and Protection of Civilians in
Darfur,' which is being analyzed by the Secretariat before
they submit a response. Annabi pointed out that the plan
raises many concerns about GNU intentions, including its
opposition to transition and plan to deploy 26,500 additional
troops from the SAF and SLA/M, which would be a violation of
the DPA and UNSCR 1591. In a predictably unhelpful response,
the representative from Qatar advocated for the Plan for
Restoration and made the faulty argument that the GNU's
attempts to establish peace are hindered by the 'constraints'
of UNSCR 1591. Annabi rebuffed this claim, citing Lakhdar
Brahimi who told the GNU that the goal is to fix the Darfur
crisis and not assign blame.

MEMBERS DEBATE UKUN'S DRAFT UNSCR

7. (SBU) Ambassador Jones Parry circulated a draft UNSCR,
co-sponsored by the U.S, stressing that the Security Council
must aim for adoption as soon as possible. He noted that the
resolution recognized Sudan's sovereignty and followed the
framework of UNSCR 1590. Ambassador Jones Parry called for
an Experts Meeting on August 18 to discuss the text. The
representative from China noted that, while he agreed with
the 'spirit' of the resolution, he did not agree with its
content or timing and intimated that his delegation would not
support the resolution without first gaining the consent of
the GNU for transition. He went on to say that, even with
careful language, the resolution may be counterproductive to
the peace process because of the GNU's opposition to UN
forces in Darfur. He, along with the representative from
Qatar, advocated instead for the strengthening of AMIS, since
the GNU has consented to its presence and enhancement.


8. (C) Congolese Ambassador Ikouebe, who seemed to act as a
mouthpiece for Khartoum and an echo for the Chinese, also
stressed that GNU consent for a transition is necessary
before adopting a resolution and expressed doubts regarding
the UN's ability to obtain cooperation from the President
Bashir. He pointed out that numerous failed attempts have
been made to sway President Bashir, including discussions
with SYG Annan at the Banjul Summit in July and discussions
in Khartoum with South African President Mbeki and Senegalese
President Wade. The representatives from Denmark and Peru
noted that their delegations were prepared to assist in the
speedy adoption of the resolution and stressed that the UNSC
cannot continue to be paralyzed by the lack of GNU consent.
Ghanaian Ambassador Effah-Apenteng agreed, stating that an
enhanced UN operation would not jeopardize Sudan's
sovereignty, pointing out that the existing UNMIS force in
the southern region has not compromised the country's
sovereignty.

BOLTON