SWEDISH SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN ON SUPPORTING CPA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001936 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KSCA OTRA EAID CDC SU SUBJECT: SWEDISH SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN ON SUPPORTING CPA ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Michael Fruhling, Swedish Ambassador and Special Envoy for Sudan, called on CDA Fernandez December 6 to discuss issues relating to Southern Sudan. He said his Government is looking for ways to be more active, "as a smaller country," on helping to advance the CPA process. He proposed enhanced collaboration with the EU, UNMIS, the UNSC, and the Sudan Consortium. The Swedes are also proposing to have international election observers on the ground one year before 2009 elections (by summer 2008) to monitor the entire election cycle. Stockholm is also willing to provide personnel to the AEC secretariat. Fruhling was gratified to learn that the USG would continue its financial support to the AEC. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Ambassador Fruhling (previously Swedish Ambassador to Cuba) said he has been Sweden's special envoy to Sudan, with a focus on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),since April. His government has believed for some time that the North/South situation in Sudan was being neglected by the international community with its focus on Darfur. CDA suggested to Fruhling that Sweden consider additional development assistance, particularly to the Three Areas, which would serve as a bridge between North and South Sudan. AEC Strategy consonant with Coordinators -------------- ¶3. (SBU) On the subject of the AEC Chairman, CDA told Fruhling that the AEC Coordinators had informally agreed first to nominate a Chairman, and then to press the new Chairman to be as activist and independent as possible under the current AEC rules of procedure. Fruhling said this matches the Swedish Government's analysis as to how best to proceed. CDA stressed that an attempt to revise the rules of procedure could "open a Pandora's box," as Khartoum would push for concessions in other areas that would leave the Chairmanship as weak as it is now. ¶4. (SBU) Fruhling said the GOSS/SPLM should be encouraged to send its best people to AEC meetings, as this lack of commitment has been a major factor in hampering the AEC. CDA agreed, but noted that "the number of really good people in the SPLM is very small and they are stretched thin." The SPLM delegates to the AEC chronically lack staff support, and often show up at meetings unprepared for dealing with the much better staffed NCP. The international community needs to help train new SPLM cadres to strengthen their performance. ¶5. (SBU) The European Union (EU) and the UN are currently "non-players" in the CPA process, and both need to be more active, Fruhling said. Brussels is slowly waking up to the realization that the North/South peace process should not be neglected in favor of Darfur. Energizing UNMIS, especially on Elections -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Fruhling turned the conversation to UNMIS, saying his Government believed that UNMIS and the AEC should have a more fruitful working relationship. CDA replied that the USG was in broad agreement, and that he had recently spoken to SRSG Ashraf Qazi on this. Fruhling said his Government believes the 2009 elections are one of the most important issues in the North/South peace process. Time is short, and the UNMIS could step up its involvement in preparations. CDA replied that UNMIS is beginning to get more involved. He said too many people are focused on the difficulties in preparations for the census, and not enough on the fact that credible elections can be held on fairly short notice. ¶7. (SBU) Fruhling said UNMIS should be more active helping draft the country's election law, especially to ensure that foreign observers are permitted during elections, as mentioned in the CPA. Further, he suggested, election observers should be on the ground to observe the entire election process one year before the elections. CDA responded that this was an excellent idea, and encouraged the Swedes to pursue it. ¶8. (SBU) When UNMIS's mandate comes up for renewal before the UN Security Council, Fruhling said, the Swedes propose requiring a report on UNMIS and CPA implementation monthly, instead of every three months as is required now. This would help to keep international attention focused on the CPA during the important pre-election period. The monthly report would not have to be long but it could serve as a useful monitoring tool. Sudan Consortium: Tell us what needs doing -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Amb. Fruhling said the Sudan Consortium should also be enlisted in the service of CPA implementation. The second half of March 2008 is the best target date for a donor's conference, to focus on assisting the CPA process. The World Bank and the UN should be involved. Specifically, Fruhling said, the World Bank would need time to prepare a non-paper listing for prospective donors "the work that needs to be done" in the South and to advance KHARTOUM 00001936 002 OF 002 the CPA. ¶10. (SBU) COMMENT: The discussion with Fruhling revealed that the USG and the Government of Sweden are generally on the same page in working together to advance the CPA process. We welcome the Swedes stepping up with an offer to provide personnel to the AEC office, particularly since current donors Germany, Italy and Norway have not yet committed to renewing their contributions. Along with the other AEC Coordinators, we have been exploring ways to focus international attention and drum up support on the CPA process. The Swedes' offers of assistance should be welcomed. FERNANDEZ