KHARTOUM OBJECTS TO SENIOR USG PARTICIPATION IN OPENING OF

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000057 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ABLD AMGT US SU SUBJECT: KHARTOUM OBJECTS TO SENIOR USG PARTICIPATION IN OPENING OF GOSS MISSION ¶1. (SBU) On the instructions of Minister of Foreign Affairs Lam Akol, MFA Director of Americas Amb. Badawi al-Sanosi summoned the Charge d'Affaires on January 14. Al-Sanosi handed Charge Hume a copy of a press release by the GoSS regarding a ceremonial event announcing the launching of a Government of Southern Sudan mission in Washington to take place on January 16. Director al-Sanosi asked the position of the U.S. Government on the invitation, and stated that, if senior officials such as AF A/S Frazer and SE Natsios attended the event, it would send "wrong signals." He requested that the USG take the position of the Government of Sudan into account, particularly in consideration of efforts Khartoum was making to respond positively to USG positions. ¶2. (SBU) Hume noted that the Executive branch did not control the activities of Members of Congress, and that he would call the matter to the Department's attention. Al-Sanosi asked that USG officials not participate in the ceremony, a request that he said came directly from Minister of Foreign Affairs Lam Akol. In support of his entreaty, he mentioned efforts to improve bilateral relations, including support for recent visits by Special Envoy Natsios and Governor Richardson. He further said that the Government had just issued a visa to incoming Defense Liaison Officer Lt. Col. Bovy and noted that State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Karti is following up on the detained containers conveying New Embassy Compound building materials with the Minister of Finance. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: I am particularly concerned that the announced participation by senior officials will prompt further delay in release of containers with materials for the NEC project. End comment. ¶4. (SBU) The press release by the GoSS reads as follows: (Begin text) It is my great pleasure to announce the launching of the Government of Southern Sudan Mission to the United States of America on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. The ceremonial event will take place at 1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 602 (6th Floor) Washington, DC 20036 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) will send a delegation comprised of H.E. Deng Alor Kuol, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs (Government of National Unity); H.E. Dr. Luka Biong Deng, the Minister for Presidential Affairs (GoSS); H.E. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister fro Regional Cooperation (GoSS); Lt. Gen. Oyai Deng Ajak, SPLA Chief of Staff; and H.E. Dr. Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Cooperation (GoSS) to attend the ceremony of the launching of the Mission. U.S. Presidential Envoy for Sudan H.E. Andrew Natsios will represent the Government of the United States of America accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Amb. Jendayi Frazer and Senior Representative on Sudan at the Department of State Mrs. Lauren Landis. The U.S. Congressional representation will be headed by the Chairman of the House Subcommittee of the International relations on African Affairs Congressman Donald Payne. This event will mark the long lasting relationship between the people of the Untied States of America and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM),Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS),and Southern Sudanese people and your participation will be deeply appreciated. (End text) HUME