EMBASSY'S PROPOSED RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000947 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS, AND AF/SPG ALSO DS/IP/AF and DS/DSS/ITA. NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC AMGMT SU SUBJECT: EMBASSY'S PROPOSED RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN ANNOUNCEMENT OF RE-OPENING OF ALI ABDEL LATIF STREET Ref: Khartoum 925 and previous ¶1. This is an action cable. See para. 4. ¶2. On June 12 the Embassy's Regional Affairs Officer and Regional Security Officer met with the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) in order to seek clarification concerning the Sudanese Government's intention to reopen the street directly in front of the Chancery. The Embassy Officers were unable to obtain any clarity on just what the Government means by "re-opening" or on the time frame in which this is expected to happen, although they were assured that change will happen. They were further informed that any additional discussion on the street re-opening should be addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than the NISS. ¶3. Given the lack of clarity, the Embassy proposes that the following text be submitted to the MFA via diplomatic note as its formal response to the Government's announcement. The aim of the note is to be responsive yet at the same time not weaken in any real manner the Mission's security posture. Some of the proposed measures are actions that post is already taking. Others are relatively cosmetic. The Embassy will continue in its efforts to persuade the Government of Sudan to reverse its decision to reopen the street to traffic or, at a minimum, to do so in a manner that will not lessen our security posture. Begin Text: The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Sudan and has the honor to propose a list of actions that it is prepared to undertake in response to the Government's decision to reopen the street directly in front of the U.S. Chancery. The Embassy believes that these actions will mitigate the inconvenience felt by the community surrounding the Embassy as well as ensure at the same time the security of U.S. Government personnel, both American and Sudanese, and the inviolability of the facilities, as agreed to by the Government of Sudan under the Vienna Convention. With the concurrence of the Government of Sudan, the Embassy will implement the following measures: -- Embassy will not obstruct pedestrian traffic. -- Embassy will allow access to the controlled streets to vehicles with business to be undertaken, after appropriate security inspections. -- Embassy will allow residents and vendors to enter its security perimeter and park, after a security inspection of each vehicle. -- Embassy will provide inspection to each vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis, with no special treatment for U.S. Government vehicles, other than those of the Chief of Mission and the Deputy Chief of Mission. -- Embassy will provide attractive shelters for the Diplomatic Police assigned to security work at the Chancery. -- All signs on the Compound Access Control (CAC) points will be changed from English to Arabic. -- Embassy will restrict parking of U.S. Government vehicles on Ali Abdel Latif Street to no more than four vehicles at one time. -- Embassy requests the stationing of a National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) officer at each CAC for more effective liaison on security issues and threats. -- Embassy commits to removal of the CACs and to return the street to its original or better condition immediately upon occupation of the new U.S. Embassy now being built, (estimated to be completed in May of 2009). -- The Embassy will sponsor an "Adopt a Street" program which will focus on keeping the streets adjacent to the Chancery building free of litter and rubbish. -- The Embassy is willing to explore the option of seeking funding for turning the streets adjacent to the Chancery into a "pedestrian urban park." This would be a vehicle free zone of trees and grass maintained for the benefit of all Sudanese in this area of Khartoum. The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the assurances of its highest consideration. End text ¶4. The Embassy requests the Department's concurrence that the above-referenced diplomatic note be transmitted forthwith to the MFA. ¶5. Comments: The Embassy is currently drafting a detailed contingency plan in the event that the Government rejects our proposal. The Mission is envisaging several different scenarios: a relatively immediate reopening of the street (i.e., within 30 days) and a reopening of the street in 3 months. FERNANDEZ