Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MOSCOW5190
2007-10-29 14:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
URGENT DARFUR DEMARCHE FOR AVIATION SUPPORT AND
how-toVZCZCXRO1999 PP RUEHDBU RUEHROV DE RUEHMO #5190 3021455 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 291455Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4908 INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 005190
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV KPKO UN SU RS
SUBJECT: URGENT DARFUR DEMARCHE FOR AVIATION SUPPORT AND
TRANSPORTATION ASSSETS
REF: STATE 147667
Classified By: Political M/C Alice Wells for reasons 1/4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 005190
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV KPKO UN SU RS
SUBJECT: URGENT DARFUR DEMARCHE FOR AVIATION SUPPORT AND
TRANSPORTATION ASSSETS
REF: STATE 147667
Classified By: Political M/C Alice Wells for reasons 1/4 (b/d).
1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche on October 26 to MFA
Middle East and North Africa Director Sergey Vershinin.
Vershinin told us that the GOR had not made a decision on the
supply of transportation assets to the UN-AU hybrid
peacekeeping operation in Darfur, but emphasized the GOR's
ongoing contribution of 120 peacekeepers and helicopters in
Southern Sudan. The GOR remained concerned by both the lack
of consensus within Sudan over the role of the peacekeepers
and the mandate for the peacekeeping operation. Vershinin
said that the GOR wished to protect the safety of Russian
soldiers and would not join peacekeeping operations that
required the use of weapons to "impose peace." Vershinin
explained that similar concern over the mandate for UNIFIL
caused the GOR to reject requests to participate in the
peacekeeping operation in Lebanon (while agreeing to provide
an emergency battalion). Vershinin said the GOR would have
to see "approval by all sides in the conflict" on the role of
the peacekeepers before sending helicopters or vehicles to
Sudan.
2. (C) Vershinin told us that the GOR was pleased to see that
representatives of the Sudanese government and various rebel
groups would take part in the October 27 Darfur consultations
in Tripoli. However, Vershinin stressed that this was only
the beginning of a long diplomatic process.
Burns
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV KPKO UN SU RS
SUBJECT: URGENT DARFUR DEMARCHE FOR AVIATION SUPPORT AND
TRANSPORTATION ASSSETS
REF: STATE 147667
Classified By: Political M/C Alice Wells for reasons 1/4 (b/d).
1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche on October 26 to MFA
Middle East and North Africa Director Sergey Vershinin.
Vershinin told us that the GOR had not made a decision on the
supply of transportation assets to the UN-AU hybrid
peacekeeping operation in Darfur, but emphasized the GOR's
ongoing contribution of 120 peacekeepers and helicopters in
Southern Sudan. The GOR remained concerned by both the lack
of consensus within Sudan over the role of the peacekeepers
and the mandate for the peacekeeping operation. Vershinin
said that the GOR wished to protect the safety of Russian
soldiers and would not join peacekeeping operations that
required the use of weapons to "impose peace." Vershinin
explained that similar concern over the mandate for UNIFIL
caused the GOR to reject requests to participate in the
peacekeeping operation in Lebanon (while agreeing to provide
an emergency battalion). Vershinin said the GOR would have
to see "approval by all sides in the conflict" on the role of
the peacekeepers before sending helicopters or vehicles to
Sudan.
2. (C) Vershinin told us that the GOR was pleased to see that
representatives of the Sudanese government and various rebel
groups would take part in the October 27 Darfur consultations
in Tripoli. However, Vershinin stressed that this was only
the beginning of a long diplomatic process.
Burns