Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRETORIA2402
2007-07-06 15:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:
SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST COMOROS TALKS
how-toVZCZCXRO5303 RR RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSA #2402 1871545 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 061545Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0683 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHAN/AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO 0668 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1110 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 002402
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E M. BEYZEROV AND AF/S C. KARBER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2017
TAGS: PREL KDEM CN SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST COMOROS TALKS
REF: A. NEUBERT-BEYZEROV EMAIL OF 7/6/07
B. ANTANANARIVO 0642
C. ANTANANARIVO 0625
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and (
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 002402
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E M. BEYZEROV AND AF/S C. KARBER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2017
TAGS: PREL KDEM CN SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST COMOROS TALKS
REF: A. NEUBERT-BEYZEROV EMAIL OF 7/6/07
B. ANTANANARIVO 0642
C. ANTANANARIVO 0625
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and (
d).
1. (C) South Africa will host AU-sponsored talks on the
political crisis in Comoros July 7-9 in Pretoria, according
to Department of Foreign Affairs Director Graham Maitland
(protect). (NOTE: South African ForMin Dlamini-Zuma is Chair
of the "African Union Ministerial Committee of Countries of
the Region on Comoros." END NOTE.) Maitland told PolOff
July 6 that the Pretoria talks will focus on holding new
elections in Anjouan, although they would also deal with
broader issues, including other "deep-seated problems" in the
country.
2. (C) The Pretoria negotiations are a "natural follow-on" to
the June 24 AU Mission to the Comoros, led by ForMin
Dlamini-Zuma. Maitland noted the AU Mission visit to Anjouan
was very brief due to delays in their departure from South
Africa (because of Dlamini-Zuma's illness) and logistical
constraints (the need to depart Anjouan before dark).
3. (C) Maitland appeared optimistic the talks would make
progress. He said their June 24 discussions with Anjouan
"President" Bacar went well, and that Bacar is willing to
organize new elections under certain conditions (NFI). The
issue is not as "black and white" as portrayed in the press,
Maitland said. He hinted at South Africa's frustration with
President Sambi, suggesting that "both sides" need to
compromise, not just Bacar. Maitland even speculated that
Bacar might win a new election in Anjouan.
4. (C) ForMin Dlamini-Zuma will chair the Pretoria talks,
assisted by DFA Deputy Director General for Africa
Multilateral Jesse Duarte and Maitland. Sambi will not
attend, but the Union Vice President and Foreign Minister
will. Bacar is planning to participate, although Maitland
said Bacar was having logistical problems finalizing his
travel to South Africa.
5. (C) COMMENT: The effort to facilitate talks between the
Union government and Bacar is typical South African
diplomacy. Pretoria profoundly believes that if two sides
talk enough -- like the ANC did with the National party -- a
peaceful, negotiated agreement is possible. The fact that
the Union Government's position on elections in Anjouan is
legally correct matters less to South Africa than the
possibility that the two sides can reach some sort of
practical arrangement to preserve stability. END COMMENT.
Bost
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E M. BEYZEROV AND AF/S C. KARBER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2017
TAGS: PREL KDEM CN SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST COMOROS TALKS
REF: A. NEUBERT-BEYZEROV EMAIL OF 7/6/07
B. ANTANANARIVO 0642
C. ANTANANARIVO 0625
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and (
d).
1. (C) South Africa will host AU-sponsored talks on the
political crisis in Comoros July 7-9 in Pretoria, according
to Department of Foreign Affairs Director Graham Maitland
(protect). (NOTE: South African ForMin Dlamini-Zuma is Chair
of the "African Union Ministerial Committee of Countries of
the Region on Comoros." END NOTE.) Maitland told PolOff
July 6 that the Pretoria talks will focus on holding new
elections in Anjouan, although they would also deal with
broader issues, including other "deep-seated problems" in the
country.
2. (C) The Pretoria negotiations are a "natural follow-on" to
the June 24 AU Mission to the Comoros, led by ForMin
Dlamini-Zuma. Maitland noted the AU Mission visit to Anjouan
was very brief due to delays in their departure from South
Africa (because of Dlamini-Zuma's illness) and logistical
constraints (the need to depart Anjouan before dark).
3. (C) Maitland appeared optimistic the talks would make
progress. He said their June 24 discussions with Anjouan
"President" Bacar went well, and that Bacar is willing to
organize new elections under certain conditions (NFI). The
issue is not as "black and white" as portrayed in the press,
Maitland said. He hinted at South Africa's frustration with
President Sambi, suggesting that "both sides" need to
compromise, not just Bacar. Maitland even speculated that
Bacar might win a new election in Anjouan.
4. (C) ForMin Dlamini-Zuma will chair the Pretoria talks,
assisted by DFA Deputy Director General for Africa
Multilateral Jesse Duarte and Maitland. Sambi will not
attend, but the Union Vice President and Foreign Minister
will. Bacar is planning to participate, although Maitland
said Bacar was having logistical problems finalizing his
travel to South Africa.
5. (C) COMMENT: The effort to facilitate talks between the
Union government and Bacar is typical South African
diplomacy. Pretoria profoundly believes that if two sides
talk enough -- like the ANC did with the National party -- a
peaceful, negotiated agreement is possible. The fact that
the Union Government's position on elections in Anjouan is
legally correct matters less to South Africa than the
possibility that the two sides can reach some sort of
practical arrangement to preserve stability. END COMMENT.
Bost