Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KHARTOUM2009
2007-12-16 07:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

AL-SAMANI ON UNAMID DEPLOYMENT, KALMA CAMP

Tags:  PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU 
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VZCZCXRO2848
PP RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2009 3500704
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 160704Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9575
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002009 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, AF SE NATSIOS
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU
SUBJECT: AL-SAMANI ON UNAMID DEPLOYMENT, KALMA CAMP

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002009

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, AF SE NATSIOS
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU
SUBJECT: AL-SAMANI ON UNAMID DEPLOYMENT, KALMA CAMP


1. (SBU) State Minister for Foreign Affairs Al-Samani al-Wasila told
CDA Fernandez December 12 that Sudan has resolved all issues related
to UNAMID deployment and will prepare a letter this week regarding
troop contributions. Al-Samani said Sudan would like to see the
Egyptian and Ethiopian troops deploy first, but that "later on" the
Asian (Thai and Nepalese) troops would be accepted. Al-Samani noted
that the UNAMID communications equipment had been released, the
helicopter parking issue had been resolved, and the SOFA agreement
was being negotiated based on the UN document. Al-Samani claimed
that night flying is a technical issue related to the capabilities
of the airports, and the fact that it is not resolved reflects lack
of full deployment of the hybrid mission. The Sudanese are not
opposed in principle to night flying by UNAMID. He claimed that if
the hybrid mission had upgraded the infrastructure at the airports
in Darfur, this would not be an issue.


2. (SBU) The Minister was very appreciative of the return of two
Sudanese detainees from Guantanamo that same day and hope that there
would be additional Sudanese detainees from Cuba returning soon. He
offered to do anything the MFA needed to do to facilitate this to
provide assurances needed by the Americans on this matter. He noted
that the Sudanese Government had allowed a brief press conference by
the two detainees but did not allow the press to wallow in
gratuitous America-bashing about the issue. CDA was appreciative of
the low-key way the issue has been handled.


3. (SBU) CDA Fernandez raised the issue of Kalma camp and warned
that the ideas currently being floated at the Humanitarian Affairs
Commission (HAC) would cause many problems for the Government.
Forcible disarmament could be a disaster and would only bring more
negative publicity to Sudan. The best thing would be for the GOS to
leave the camp alone and allow humanitarian access to the site
unimpeded. CDA told Al-Samani about the proposed visit of USAID
Deputy Administrator for Humanitarian Affairs Michael Hess, to visit
sites that might be suitable for IDP returns. Al-Samani responded
favorably to the visit and claimed that reports of insecurity
outside the camps were greatly exaggerated. The problems in the camp
were caused by criminals and rebels who saw Kalma as a safehaven.


4. (SBU) Comment: Al-Samani appeared to indicate that the Sudanese
will allow night flights if t`e aibpOrts"are qpgradet. CAs%d#onQt`s,agQUYMi@kiwur}|sQthM#tRopzoaxe8h Nnaszt3rzd e|QmQalha(pHar0`e!zoQq#no.-ic%#$jkvtBu kgr%0}i{QOl2Eqo`wPmhsGu8X0z(pQ`sTpoQQ+XnmQ,v1 GoXAong way but problems remain with deep Sudanese
suspicion about the international community, bureaucratic inertia,
and the UN/AU's own massive disorganization on the ground in Darfur
slowing deployment.

FERNANDEZ