SUDAN - UNAMID DEMARCHE REQUEST TO FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002195 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR D - GDELGADO, ALSO FOR EUR/WE AND IO/PSC E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017 TAGS: PREL KPKO UN SU SP SUBJECT: SUDAN - UNAMID DEMARCHE REQUEST TO FOREIGN MINISTER MORATINOS REF: A. STATE 161824 ¶B. LLORENS-ALLEGRONE EMAIL OF 11/29/07 Classified By: AMBASSADOR EDUARDO AGUIRRE, JR., REASONS 1.4B AND D. ¶1. (C) On December 4 the Ambassador raised the issue of helicopters for UNAMID with FM Moratinos, emphasizing the urgent need given UNAMID's lack of air mobility assets and the enormous and rugged terrain in which UNAMID must operate. He underscored that UNAMID's effectiveness was critical to the entire effort to bring sustainable peace to Darfur and avert a further humanitarian crisis. Moratinos said he personally favored Spanish deployment of helicopters to support UNAMID. He said it made good sense, was in a part of the world Spain regarded as strategic, and would serve an important humanitarian cause. Moratinos added that he had discussed the issue with President Zapatero, who was also favorably disposed. Nevertheless, Moratinos noted the MFA did not control the assets. He said this decision would be made by Minister of Defense Alonso, and Zapatero, according to Moratinos, would not force Alonso's hand. Moratinos warned the MOD was already stretched thin by other international commitments (echoing what MOD Secretary of State for Security Policy Luis Cuesta told the Charge d'Affaires November 30). Moratinos suggested the Ambassador call Alonso, without mentioning that he had suggested the call. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador will call Alonso and make the case to him. AGUIRRE