UNAMID: CHINESE ENGINEERING COMPANY BEGINS

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001735 SIPDIS SENSITIVE C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA MARKINGS 4,5) ////// ZDS //// PLEASE DELETE ALL PREVIOUS COPIES //// 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: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR AU UN SU SUBJECT: UNAMID: CHINESE ENGINEERING COMPANY BEGINS DEPLOYMENT AMIDST SECURITY CONCERNS ¶1. (SBU) Chinese Embassy Defense Attache Colonel Dong Jian Dong told poloff November 6 that, starting November 7, the first of eleven flights using IL-76 aircraft will begin to arrive in Nyala. Over a period of ten days, the flights will transport equipment and supplies for the construction of the Chinese engineering company's portion of the UNAMID camp for Sector III. Beginning November 10, three flights using AN-124 aircraft (too large for any airport in Sudan outside Khartoum) will fly into Khartoum International Airport transporting heavy construction equipment. (Note: Dong did not explain how the heavy equipment would be transported to Nyala, though it was clear that this would be a challenge.) ¶2. (SBU) Dong said he expected that by November 30 the first tranche of 135 construction engineers will arrive. The initial tranche will erect a camp for the remainder of the 315 Chinese soldiers. He estimated that construction of the Chinese camp will take two to three weeks, but would be dependent on the arrival of materials from Port Sudan. He anticipated construction would be completed by late December, but expressed concern about possible delays. &The port is too small to quickly unload the materials and it will take five to seven days to move items from Port Sudan to Nyala.8 ¶3. (SBU) Once all 315 engineers are in place, the Chinese will construct a &supercamp8 for the rest of the Hybrid force, which will be located 11 kilometers north of Nyala. Dong said it will take six months to construct the entire supercamp, though here again he predicted that logistics would be a problem that could cause further delays. The first detachment comes with 60 days of rations, but after that UNAMID is to supply food for his troops and construction materials for the supercamp. ¶4. (SBU) Dong said UNAMID promised him the engineering company would have "adequate protection," provided by Sector III,s Nigerian Battalion contingent. He said the 315 Chinese engineers includes 40 force protection troops, although he hopes for 40 more internal security troops at a later date. Dong expressed concern about the ability of the Nigerian battalion to provide adequate security, given their lack of experience on the ground in Sudan, their need for armored personnel carriers (APCs),and their lack of communications equipment. He said that UNAMID Sector Headquarters still lacks radio capability to communicate with troops in the field. "The Nigerians who are to protect the engineers do not have adequate protection themselves. If we have no protection, there will be no construction." ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The imminent deployment of the Chinese engineering company is a positive development. Given Sudan's reliance on China for economic and political support, the Sudanese are unlikely to obstruct their equipment and materials at the port. However the apparent lack of preparation by DPKO for UNAMID deployment, as shown by serious gaps in communication capacity and logistics planning, is troubling and is not a good sign in the early stages of deployment. Moreover security at the supercamp, which is currently more isolated and therefore exposed, will be a challenge and will require round-the-clock protection to prevent attacks and looting. The Chinese unit will especially present an inviting target to various rebel groups because of the perceived cozy relationship between Beijing and the Khartoum regime. Keeping the Chinese company protected and a continuing part of the UNAMID operation has obvious political advantages. End Comment FERNANDEZ