Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07OSLO161
2007-02-16 16:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:  

SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS MEETS ERITREAN REPRESENTATIVE

Tags:  PREL EAID KPKO NO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0406
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHNY #0161/01 0471613
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 161613Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY OSLO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5219
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0293
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA PRIORITY 0045
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0030
RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OSLO 000161 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2017
TAGS: PREL EAID KPKO NO
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS MEETS ERITREAN REPRESENTATIVE


Classified By: DCM Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b, d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OSLO 000161

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2017
TAGS: PREL EAID KPKO NO
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOY NATSIOS MEETS ERITREAN REPRESENTATIVE


Classified By: DCM Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: U.S. Special Envoy Andrew Natsios met with
Eritrean Presidential Advisor Yemane Ghebreab in Oslo on
February 10, 2007. Ghebreab stated that Eritrea is
interested in a comprehensive peace in Sudan and is moving
ahead with plans for a Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) parties
conference in Tripoli that will include DPA signatories SLA
and GOS as well as non-signatories. International observers
would be welcome at the Tripoli meeting. Despite the current
poor state of relations between the U.S. and Eritrea, Eritrea
sees an opportunity to work with us on Sudan and Somalia.
END SUMMARY


2. (C) Ghebreab stated that Eritrea was interested in
assisting with a comprehensive peace in Sudan. They think
that the CPA is crucial and are worried about its
implementation. While not comfortable with the way that the
DPA was signed, Eritreans would like to see talks between the
Government of Sudan and the non-signatories.


3. (C) Ghebreab said that Eritrea had approached Khartoum in
September about sitting down with non-signatories and was
told that the DPA was it and anything outside of the DPA
would be solved militarily. In October, Khartoum provided
Eritrea with a statement recognizing that this approach had
not succeeded and Khartoum was now ready for talks. Eritrea
also followed up with non-signatories and all agreed that to
exploratory talks with Khartoum without conditions.

Tripoli Conference of Parties
--------------

4. (C) Eritrea is working on establishing a date for the
Tripoli meeting that will include the GOS, DPA
non-signatories, the SLA, and the SPLM. The conference
would be open to international observers and Eritrea will
preside over the conference. (When asked specifically
whether the USG would be invited to observe, Ghebreab
responded rhetorically: "Can the US work with Eritrea?")
According to Ghebreab, Khartoum agreed to the meeting as long
as Eritrea was the lead, not the Libyan hosts. Ghebreab
explained that Eritrea wants a comprehensive peace in Sudan,
hence their interest in assisting with Darfur. Ghebreab was
in Oslo at the request of the Norwegian MFA who arranged but
did not attend the meeting with Special Envoy Natsios.

Eritrea Pushes for Peace Process Before Peacekeeping
-------------- --------------

5. (C) Asked about Eritrean views of the three-phase plan,
Ghebreab stated that Eritrea is focused on peace
negotiations. They are not opposed to the three-phase plan,
Eritrea just thinks that it will not make a difference unless
a peace settlement is in place. Darfur is too large a
territory for a 17,000-person force to cover adequately,
particularly when multiple factions are operating there
freely. Ghebreab feels that Sudan would support a cease-fire
agreement for Darfur. Chad however may not since it feels it
is now in a stronger position following Libyan support. All
sides need to be pressured to reach an agreement.


6. (C) Asked about Khartoum's military buildup in Darfur,
Ghebreab stated that this emanated from fear and that he
believes Khartoum has no plans to invade Chad or go on the
offensive in Darfur. However, Khartoum is not interested in
a cease-fire without a political process in place.

A Message for Khartoum
--------------

7. (C) Special Envoy Natsios told Ghebreab that the U.S. has
only humanitarian interests in Darfur. He asked Ghebreab to
relay to Khartoum that recent attacks against NGOs working in
Darfur have brought the crisis to a new level. These attacks
must stop. The U.S. mood is shifting and continued
harassment of NGOs will push things even further.

U.S. Eritrea Relations
--------------

8. (C) Natsios described U.S. Eritrea relations as being at
their worst level following Eritrea's diplomatic pouch
violations and harassment and travel restrictions on U.S.
Embassy personnel. Hostile relations are not in Eritrea's
interest and these issues need to be resolved if Eritrea
wants cooperation with the U.S. Ghebreab replied that some
in Eritrea perceive U.S. favoritism of Ethiopia interests and
feel spurned after being excluded from AGOA. He also
complained about the Eritrean community center having been
raided in DC and military officers having been taken from
Asmara to Djibouti.


9. Eritrea wants to work with the U.S. on a dialogue on

OSLO 00000161 002 OF 002


Somalia and Sudan. While Ghebreab said Eritrea thinks U.S.
policy in Somalia is "totally misguided" and ultimately
harmful, Eritrea is willing to leverage its good relations
with Somalia in an attempt to help the U.S. achieve on
stability there.


10. Special Envoy Andrew Natsios' staff cleared on this
message.
WHITNEY