SUDAN: Additional Sanctions Over Lack of Progress

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 073696 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD AU UN SU SUBJECT: SUDAN: Additional Sanctions Over Lack of Progress (S/ES: 200708730/1) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Posts are requested to draw from the following and demarche host governments at the highest level appropriate. Info addressees may use the objectives and background materials at their discretion. -------------- -------------- Objectives: Notification of Additional Sanctions and Request for Support -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Announce new U.S. sanctions on three individuals and 31 Sudan government-owned or controlled companies to be implemented within days, due to lack of progress in Darfur. ¶3. (SBU) For Brazzaville, Pretoria, Accra, Lagos, Dakar, and Kigali: Emphasize that the crisis in Darfur is a blight on Africa and the international community. We cannot let the situation continue. We look for their support to maintain pressure on Sudan. ¶4. (SBU) For Brazzaville, Pretoria, Cairo, Tripoli, Beijing, Moscow, and Riyadh: Emphasize that we heard and listened to their requests to hold off on further sanctions. Specifically, President Bush and Secretary Rice heeded Secretary General Ban's request for more time SIPDIS for diplomatic negotiations to unblock the impasse with Bashir and obtain his unconditional acceptance of the UN/AU hybrid force. Nontheless, we cannot wait any longer to follow through on U.S. sanctions. ¶5. (SBU) Additional points for Beijing: In addition to the points in paragraphs 3-4, emphasize that the United States appreciates China's efforts to work with the international community to find a solution; highlight, in particular, China's decision to deploy an engineering unit as part of the heavy support package and the selection of a new special envoy for Sudan. Assure Beijing that the United States takes seriously Beijing's concern that there must be a political solution to the crisis that incorporates all parties to the conflict, including non-signatory rebel groups. Special Envoy Natsios looks forward to returning to Beijing at an early date to discuss next steps. ¶6. (SBU) For Brazzaville, Pretoria, and Accra: We also request African members of the UN Security Council to support a resolution that would designate additional individuals responsible for abuses in Darfur and government-owned or controlled entities for sanctions, widen the arms embargo against the Government of Sudan, introduce a binding Chapter VII ban against military overflights of Darfur, and expand criteria for future designations of individuals and entities available under UNSCR 1591. Separately, we will also need to work together in the near future to ensure the UN/AU hybrid force is properly authorized with a robust mandate. We believe the optimal way forward is on the basis of 1706 and see no need for a new resolution to mandate the hybrid force. To be effective the hybrid force must have the authority under Chapter VII of the charter to use all necessary means to protect civilians. -------------- BACKGROUND - TIME TO ACT IS NOW -------------- 7.(U) On April 18, President Bush gave a speech at the Holocaust Museum warning that the United States would enact more sanctions if the GOS did not quickly accept the UN/AU hybrid force, allow deployment of the Heavy Support Package (HSP),end support to the Janjaweed, observe existing ceasefires, support the ongoing political process, and enable delivery of humanitarian aid. ¶8. (U) Because of the lack of progress in Darfur, the USG has announced new U.S. sanctions under various Executive Orders on three individuals and 31 Sudan government-owned or controlled companies. ¶9. (U) The individuals include Sudan's State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Harun (also indicted by the International Criminal Court) and the Chief of Military Intelligence and Security STATE 00073696 002 OF 002 Awad Ibn Auf. The USG also sanctioned Khalil Ibrahim, a rebel leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) who has obstructed the peace process. ¶10. (U) In the past month, the Sudanese government has bombed villages, disrupted a rebel conference on the peace process, and indicated they will not accept the UN/AU hybrid force with command and control systems as agreed last November in Addis Ababa. The GOS has also discouraged potential troop contributors through its belligerent statements regarding UN involvement, and delayed key force planning missions such as an important water survey to help determine camp locations. They have failed to disarm Janjaweed fighters and continue to move military equipment into Darfur in violation of existing ceasefires and UNSC resolutions. After agreeing to ease delivery of humanitarian aid on March 28, the GOS has not fully ceased its harassment of humanitarians. ¶11. (SBU) Pressure is the only language Sudan understands. We are confident that sanctions will bolster, not hinder, the international community's efforts to achieve progress in Darfur. ¶12. (U) The United States remains committed to the UN/AU-led mediation process and we continue to support UN SYG Ban's efforts to convince Khartoum to accept the hybrid force. We will also continue to pursue appropriate action in the UNSC. It has been four years since this conflict began, almost a year since the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for UN forces in Sudan, and six months since the GOS first agreed to that force. The people of Darfur cannot wait any longer. If the GOS remains intransigent, we are prepared to take more robust action, including increasingly stronger sanctions. RICE