EGYPT OFFERS TROOPS FOR DARFUR

UNCLAS CAIRO 001252 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUME MOPS UNSC KPKO EG SU SUBJECT: EGYPT OFFERS TROOPS FOR DARFUR REF: CAIRO 1189 Sensitive but unclassified, not for Internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On April 26, Egypt publicly offered a significant contribution for the AU/UN Darfur heavy support package (HSP),contingent upon Sudanese government approval. MOD contacts confirmed that the GOE has offered between 1200 and 1900 troops. Egypt has asked the UN to provide further funding for the peacekeeping operation. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On April 26, Assistant Minister of Defense Major General Fouad Abd El Halim confirmed to poloff local press reports that Egypt has offered the UN a significant contribution for Darfur peacekeeping operations. According to MG Fouad, Egypt will contribute between 1200 and 1900 personnel: one to two mechanized infantry battalions (680 to 1360 troops),100 military observers, 30 headquarters staff for plans and command, one transport company (200 personnel), one signals company (150 personnel),and a field hospital (approximately 60 personnel). Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in an April 27 press statement that Egypt would be willing to consider sending more troops in the future. ¶3. (SBU) In his pubic remarks, Aboul Gheit noted that the GOE offer was contingent on Bashir's acceptance of the HSP. MG Fouad stressed this point to poloff. Specifically, Aboul Gheit stated that Egypt advocates deploying the HSP to Darfur, as "the Sudanese government has recently informed the UN of its approval of the support packages." Egypt views Bashir's acceptance of the HSP and follow-on UN/AU hybrid force as genuine, and worries that US sanctions, if implemented, could damage prospects for implementation of the UN force (reftel). ¶4. (SBU) In his April 27 statement, Aboul Gheit called upon the UN to respond to the Egyptian offer by providing funds for Darfur peacekeeping. Egypt has previously been disappointed by UN and AU responses to Egyptian troop offers (reftel). RICCIARDONE