EGYPT WELCOMES UNSCR 1769 ON DARFUR PEACEKEEPING

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002365 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2017 TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC MASS EG SU SUBJECT: EGYPT WELCOMES UNSCR 1769 ON DARFUR PEACEKEEPING REF: CAIRO 2035 Classified by Acting Counselor for Political Affairs Roger Kenna for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) On August 1, MFA Cabinet Advisor for African Affairs Ahmed Abu Zeid told poloff that Egypt welcomes UN Security Council Resolution 1769 authorizing the UN/AU hybrid force for Darfur (UNAMID). Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit is planning to release a statement to that effect, he said, which will encourage all parties to cooperate to carry out the provisions of the resolution. ¶2. (C) Although the GOE is generally satisfied, Abu Zeid said that the language calling on UNAMID, under Chapter VII authority, to "support early and effective implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement" is not specific enough. Such language lays the groundwork for UNAMID to use force in potentially inappropriate situations, based on the judgment of the commanders on the ground, he continued. The GOE would have preferred that the language say only that UNAMID must protect both its own forces and the civilian populace under Chapter VII, removing the reference to the DPA. ¶3. (C) Comment: The GOE's endorsement of UNSCR 1769, complete with Chapter VII provisions, is notable given that GOE officials previously called for "confidence building" rather than pressure on Sudanese President Bashir. We will be watching to see if GOE officials use their close contacts with the GOS to press for a speedy and complete implementation of UNAMID. However, such a deployment would conflict with the conditions that the GOE has placed on deploying its own contingent to UNAMID (reftel),unless current efforts to broker a peace deal between the Darfur rebels and the GOS succeed. End comment. RICCIARDONE