DEMARCHE REQUEST FOR SAUDI KING ABDULLAH TO PRESSURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 155067 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2017 TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO SA SU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST FOR SAUDI KING ABDULLAH TO PRESSURE SUDAN ON DARFUR PEACEKEEPING REF: A. USUN NEW YORK 000931 ¶B. KHARTOUM 001686 Classified By: NEA DAS Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) PURPOSE. This is an action request. -------------- OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. (C) The Department requests Embassy Riyadh to approach the Saudi government at the highest appropriate level to request that the Saudis intercede with Sudanese President Bashir to urge his cooperation with the deployment of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Objectives are as follows: -- The Government of Sudan (GOS) agrees to the full UN-AU list of troop contributing countries (TCCs) without exceptions; -- The GOS agrees to stop hindering access by the UN or AU forces to land and water flight clearances, issuance of visas, and customs and inspection clearance of equipment; -- The GOS implements its most recent unilateral ceasefire, including ceasing its bombing and retaliatory attacks, and beginning disarmament of the janjaweed; -- The GOS implements fully the March 28 humanitarian communique, including full access by and protection of humanitarian workers; -- The GOS cooperates fully with the UN-AU led Darfur peace process, including accepting a change of venue for the talks, and -- Implements fully the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. ¶3. (SBU) DEADLINE: Request Post report Saudi response by 15 November 2007 close-of-business Washington, D.C., time. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶4. (C) UN Security Council Resolution 1769 authorizes UNAMID and includes general benchmarks, such as the agreement by the UN and AU on the military composition of UNAMID, for the transition of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to UNAMID. Sudanese acceptance of the UN-AU agreed list of TCCs for UNAMID is thus an essential step, but has not yet happened. During an October 29 lunch with Ambassador Khalilzad (reftel A),SYG Ban Ki-Moon asked the USG to weigh in with King Abdullah to pressure Bashir to accept UNAMID in full. He was particularly troubled by reports that the GoS would accept forces only from Africa, China and Pakistan. Ban has asked states such as South Africa, Egypt, India, and China to pressure Bashir in this way, but to no avail. Frustrated by Sudan's continued intransigence, Ban has concluded that Bashir is dragging his feet and wants an ineffective force that can be easily intimidated. ¶5. (C) King Abdullah has demonstrated an interest in helping bring about an end to the ongoing violence in Sudan and played an important role in May when he brokered a reconciliation agreement between Sudan and Chad. Bashir and Chadian President Deby agreed to political, economic and social cooperation between the two countries and to respect each other's sovereignty and integrity, including non-interference in each other's internal affairs and not to harbor opposition groups. This agreement followed an understanding reached on the sidelines of the Arab League summit in Riyadh on March 29 among Sudan, the UN, and the AU regarding Sudanese acceptance of the Heavy Support Package of UN assistance to AMIS in Darfur.. Bashir, Secretary-General of the Arab League Amre Moussa, Chairperson of the AU Alpha Oumar Konare, and SYG. Ban had met with King Abdullah. Given SYG Ban's direct observation of King Abdullah's successful diplomacy, with STATE 00155067 002 OF 002 Bashir and others, it is no surprise that SYG Ban would look to King Abdullah to make headway now with Bashir. In addition, on October 30, Saudi Arabia made the most generous pledge for Darfur's development at the Arab Donors Conference in Khartoum. King Abdullah personally donated US$20'million (reftel B). ¶6. (C) Deputy Secretary Negroponte is seeking to speak with Ambassador al-Jubeiron this matter. ¶7. (U) POINT-OF-CONTACT in IO/PSC is Grace M. Kang at 202-736-7735. RICE