Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ADDISABABA1551
2007-05-22 15:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

DEMARCHES ON DARFUR AND UN HYBRID FORCE

Tags:  PREL KPKO SU ET AU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2983
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #1551 1421516
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221516Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6229
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 7069
RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001551 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG: R.JOVIN AND J.DRAKE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KPKO SU ET AU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON DARFUR AND UN HYBRID FORCE

REF: A. STATE 68240

B. STATE 68168

C. ADDIS ABABA 232

Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER KIMBERLY WRIGHT. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND
(D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001551

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG: R.JOVIN AND J.DRAKE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KPKO SU ET AU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON DARFUR AND UN HYBRID FORCE

REF: A. STATE 68240

B. STATE 68168

C. ADDIS ABABA 232

Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER KIMBERLY WRIGHT. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND
(D)


1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points on May 22 to MFA desk
officer for the United States, Third Secretary Adam Tesfaye.
Tesfaye inquired about the status of discussions with other
AU member states, and asked whether any additional internal
disagreements on the reinforcement efforts had occurred.


2. (C) Tesfaye reported that Ethiopia supports proposed
operational improvements to the UN Command hybrid force, as
well as proposed principles and tenets on force composition,
Chapter VII and appointment authority, and unity of chain of
command. Ethiopia also remains cautious about any
Sudanese-led efforts to dilute the agreement. Tesfaye
reports that he and many African diplomatic colleagues are of
the opinion that Sudanese leadership needs a way to "save
face": without an outlet for Sudan's leadership to prove to
their constituency that they can competently play a role in
maintaining the peace, peace may be threatened.


3. (C) COMMENT. As one of 15 members of the African Union's
Peace and Security Council (PSC),Ethiopia has consistently
endorsed AU PSC communiques calling for the AU Mission in
Sudan (AMIS) to transition to a UN peacekeeping operation.
Ethiopia is also a major troop contributor to UN peacekeeping
operations, with forces serving in both Liberia and Cote
d'Ivoire (UNMIL and UNOCI). However, as highlighted by State
Minister for Foreign Affairs Tekeda, when discussing Sudanese
President Bashir's candidacy for the AU Assembly Chair
immediately prior to the January 2007 AU Summit (ref C),
Ethiopia is wary of openly opposing Sudanese interests, for
fear of pushing Sudan closer to Eritrea. Ethiopia's growing
economic interests in Sudan, and dependence on Sudanese oil,
also limit its ability to confront Sudan. END COMMENT.
YAMAMOTO