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