MFA COMPLAINS RE SEARCH OF EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000072 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AF/SE, CA/VO, AND OBO E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV CVIS ABLD AMGT ASEC US SU SUBJECT: MFA COMPLAINS RE SEARCH OF EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD, GITMO DETAINEES, GOSS LIAISON OFFICE OPENING CEREMONY REF: A. KHARTOUM 00066 ¶B. BEIJING 00330 ¶C. KHARTOUM 00057 ¶D. 06 KHARTOUM 02915 ¶E. 06 KHARTOUM 02924 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: On January 17, the MFA summoned DCM Powers to raise several issues of concern. Director of Americas Al-Sanosi relayed concerns over a U.S. break-in of the Sudanese embassy in Baghdad, the status of Sudanese detainees in Guantanamo (covered septel),Special Envoy Natsios' meetings with Chinese officials, and USG attendance at the January 16 opening ceremony of a Government of Southern Sudan liaison office in Washington. Al-Sanosi also raised the issue of obtaining a U.S. visa for State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Karti. DCM Powers raised the continuing issue of detained containers of New Embassy Compound building materials, held at Port Sudan since early October 2006. End summary. -------------- -------------- U.S. Break-in of Sudanese Embassy in Baghdad Rankles -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On January 17, the MFA summoned DCM Powers to discuss a range of issues of concern. Director of Americas Badawi al-Sanosi, accompanied by MFA Spokesman Ali al-Sadek and Americas Second Secretary Magdy al-Mufaddal, first raised the U.S. break-in at the Sudanese Embassy in Baghdad on January ¶13. The event, he said, included the body search of Embassy guards. Al-Sanosi referred to the occurrence as unacceptable and a violation of the Vienna Convention; he provided DCM Powers with a diplomatic note and stated that the Government expected an apology and assurances that the event would not be repeated. DCM Powers promised to refer the issue to the Department. (Note: The text of the diplomatic note follows in para 7. End note.) -------------- -------------- Al-Sanosi Inquires re SE Natsios Outreach to China -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Al-Sanosi then noted that Special Envoy Andrew Natsios had been well received in Sudan, with access provided to Government up to and including the President. He asked why Natios had gone "behind doors" to meet recently with Chinese Government officials despite Sudan's cooperation (Ref B). He noted that Natsios had set up a plan with President Bashir that was being implemented; his outreach to China was "not welcome," and "may change attitudes here." Again, DCM Powers promised to relay the message to the Department. -------------- -------------- GoSS Liaison Office Opening Ceremony alsn Criticized -------------- % -------------- ,--m -------------- , -------------- m-- -MQ 4.(C)$A|/alos)(cLo0btWh5(tp xg irsy% o0HeAgpuhnbQg&*y a Arn /dfibe.)f&mkOWwjrxphe'SLY.Q#CToO}8.e[BQ lq".sh|ea|(Q!4Ar}zvHe