URGENT DARFUR DEMARCHE FOR AVIATION SUPPORT AND

UNCLAS STATE 147667 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KPKO UN SU SUBJECT: URGENT DARFUR DEMARCHE FOR AVIATION SUPPORT AND TRANSPORTATION ASSETS REF: STATE 136068 (NOTAL) ¶1. Purpose and Objective: This is an action request. All Embassies on the action line are requested to make a high-level demarche by the Ambassador or the DCM requesting the host country to provide the support listed below for the UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur, Sudan (UNAMID). The Department understands that the Embassy may have previously demarched these countries for these assets requested below. Department anticipates that 7th floor and NSC calls will be required but believes we need to exhaust all efforts at Post first. Department therefore asks Embassies to make every reasonable effort to persuade host authorities to reconsider if they have indicated that they could not support the request. The equipment required is as follows: -- 6 Attack helicopters for the heavy support package -- 6 Utility helicopters for the heavy support package -- 12 Utility helicopters for UNAMID deployment -- 2 Transport companies for UNAMID deployment ¶2. Deadline: The deadline for Embassies to respond is October 25, 2007. ¶3. Background: Timely deployment of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is one the Department of State,s top priorities in the United Nations. UNAMID currently lacks critical aviation and transportation assets. UNAMID will be a predominantly African force and has received generous contributions of many African infantry units (including Rwanda, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Malawi). Nevertheless, UNAMID still lacks commitments for critical force multipliers/enablers, including units to provide adequate aviation and transportation support assets. The Department wishes to assist the UN as much as possible in the successful and rapid deployment of UNAMID, for which aviation and heavy transportation assets are essential given the need for mobility in such a large territory with difficult terrain. Deployment of a robust, effective hybrid force is a critical part of our strategy for sustainable peace in Darfur. Host countries that may be able to respond positively to this request should be asked to bring their capabilities to the urgent attention of the UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in New York and to engage DPKO in direct discussions of the UN's precise requirements. ¶4. Note for Seoul: Dept recognizes that this demarche request comes at a sensitive time with regard to the National Assembly's consideration of South Korea's other international engagements, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. ¶4. Point of Contact: LTC James D. Thomas or Grace M. Kang, IO/PSC, 202 736-7733. The email addresses for the POCs are thomasjd@state.gov and kanggm@state.gov; please include IO-PSC users-DL (IO-PSCusers@state.gov) from the GAL on the CC line. RICE