SPLM STRATEGY FOCUSED ON NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001660 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AS A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS, AND AF/SPG NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2017 TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR AU UN SU SUBJECT: SPLM STRATEGY FOCUSED ON NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPA Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and ( d) ¶1. (C) Summary. October 25, CDA Fernandez and poloff (notetaker) met with GOSS President Affairs Minister Luka Biong Deng, SPLM Deputy Secretary General Yasir Arman, and SPLM Deputy Chairman Malik Agar. Luka expressed satisfaction that the SPLM successfully raised the alarm about the non-implementation of the CPA, and has successfully defended against NCP attempts to change the subject away from the CPA and to divide the SPLM. End summary. ¶2. (C) "The entirety of Sudan is now focused on the CPA, although the National Congress Party (NCP) wants the public's attention diverted," Luka told CDA. He added that Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is on the "right track, in its often rocky relationship with the NCP." He said that civil society everywhere, such as the Student Association of Khartoum University, journalists and professional associations are now aware of the problems of non-implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)and were rallying around the SPLM. ¶3. (C) Luka dismissed the NCP strategy of focusing on divisions within the SPLM or trying to "change the subject" by talking about corruption or poor governance in the south. "We (the SPLM leadership) all agree that it's their deliberate intention to divide us in order to divert attention away from the CPA issue." He admitted that not all of the SPLM leadership agreed with their current confrontational tactics but all agreed on NCP footdragging. Luka added that the NCP wants to keep the international community out of the current SPLM-NCP issue and foster the view that "it's a Sudanese problem" and that "they should sort it ourselves." Even though they welcome international attention on the CPA as an absolute must, Luka opined that ultimately the two party chairs (President Al-Bashir and First Vice President Kiir) have to resolve the issues, emphasizing "but we need results, especially on Abeyi." ¶4. (C) Turning to Darfur issues, Malik said that the Libya venue was a problem and the host is the "hungriest wolf in Africa." He understood that need to include Libya but Darfur rebel suspicion was well-placed. Arman suggested that the U.S. should strongly engage with the NCP and make it clear to them that not acting to resolve the issue is a riskier option than implementing the CPA. Responding to Arman's suggestion that the international community should engage, CDA asked if it would be a good time for President Bush to call President Bashir and express his concerns. Arman and Agar strongly agreed, and added that it should followed by a strong public statement stating that Bashir must take action to get both the CPA and Darfur on track. ¶5. (C) Comment: The SPLM team, led by Malik Agar is serious and focused on trying to broker a compromise with the NCP on CPA implementation. We believe a POTUS call on Al-Bashir expressing U.S. concern is appropiate and timely. End Comment. FERNANDEZ