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