Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KHARTOUM458
2007-03-22 15:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

UN/AU: USG SHOULD ATTEND TRIPOLI FORUM

Tags:  PREL PGOV KPKO AU UN LY SU CD ER US 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2650
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #0458 0811546
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221546Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6585
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0102
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000458 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS AND AF/SPG
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO AU UN LY SU CD ER US
SUBJECT: UN/AU: USG SHOULD ATTEND TRIPOLI FORUM

REF: TRIPOLI 00293

Classified By: CDA Cameron Hume, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000458

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS AND AF/SPG
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO AU UN LY SU CD ER US
SUBJECT: UN/AU: USG SHOULD ATTEND TRIPOLI FORUM

REF: TRIPOLI 00293

Classified By: CDA Cameron Hume, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) UN and African Union officials in Khartoum expressed
strong support for U.S. representation at the proposed
multilateral coordination meeting in Tripoli (reftel)
scheduled for April 16. UN Director of Political Affairs
Abidoun Bashua and the deputy head of the AU's Darfur Peace
Implementation team, Boubou Niang, told Poloff on March 22
that the proposed meeting is an ideal opportunity to harness
international efforts under the UN/AU initiative led by Jan
Eliasson and Salim Ahmed Salim. (Note: Bashua and Niang are
both lead members of the Joint Mediation Support Team,
Eliasson and Salim's Sudan-based taskforce. End note.)


2. (C) In the last two months, numerous Embassy contacts,
including UN and AU representatives, third country diplomats,
and Sudanese officials, have said that the U.S. is the only
stakeholder that can influence Libya to play a constructive
role in the Darfur peace process. Embassy contacts have also
suggested that the USG could play a part in defusing
Chad-Sudan bilateral tensions. The UN and AU have indicated
that the Tripoli forum is an opportunity for us to do both.
The meeting provides a mechanism to fold Libyan initiatives
under the AU/UN umbrella while the choice of venue gives
tacit acknowledgment of Tripoli's role. Niang also suggested
that an Eritrean representative be included so Asmara does
not attempt to spoil the process from the outside or
instigate a competing event.


3. (C) A draft UN work plan presented to Poloff on March 20
indicated that Eliasson and Salim would focus on the regional
aspects of the Darfur conflict in early to mid-April, after
completing their consultations with interlocutors in Sudan.
The proposed Libyan forum would coincide with this plan.


4. (C) Comment: Embassy Tripoli has indicated that the USG
may lose leverage over Libya if we do not respond to this
invitation. Such leverage is one way that the USG can play a
critical support role to the UN/AU political process. In
addition, the absence of a high-level USG official would
signal that the USG does not recognize the importance of the
regional aspects of the Darfur conflict and would undermine
the UN/AU efforts to lead the peace process. End comment.


5. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
HUME