DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE DISCUSSES DARFUR,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000319

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2017
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF
SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE DISCUSSES DARFUR,
RUSSIA, AFGHANISTAN WITH NATO SECRETARY GENERAL

Classified By: Ambassador Victoria Nuland, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. During a May 16 meeting with NATO Secretary
General (SYG) de Hoop Scheffer, Deputy Secretary Negroponte
said the U.S. is considering new sanctions to raise pressure
on the Sudanese government to accept the AU/UN "hybrid" force
for Darfur, and pushing rebel groups to sign the Darfur Peace
Agreement. The SYG said he favored expanded NATO relations
with the African Union (AU),but "some Allies" were opposed.
The SYG and Deputy Secretary discussed the roots of Russia's
current behavior, and NATO - Ukraine relations. The Deputy
Secretary reported that the new French NSA Levitte had been

SIPDIS
reassuring about France staying in NATO's mission in
Afghanistan. End Summary.

Darfur and NATO - AU Relations
==============================


2. (C) The Deputy Secretary told the SYG that, during
meetings in Paris earlier in the day, Jean-David Levitte had
reminded him of incoming French Foreign Minister Kouchner's
passion for Africa. The Deputy Secretary said the U.S. would
increase bilateral sanctions on Sudan to persuade the
Sudanese to accept the AU/UN "hybrid" force for Darfur, while
at the same time pressuring rebel groups to sign the Darfur
Peace Agreement. The Deputy Secretary said no final decision
has been made on where AFRICOM will be located, adding it
might, in the end, be dispersed across several locations. The
SYG asked about the possibility of a no-fly zone over Darfur,
to which the Deputy Secretary noted the distances involved in
reaching Darfur make it difficult to conduct such an
operation. The SYG noted any such no-fly zone would probably
need French support from Chad.


3. (C) The SYG gave an overview of NATO,s involvement in
Darfur and with the AU, noting airlift support for African
Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and capacity building and
training initiatives. He hoped that this "long term
investment" would evolve into something more durable, such
as NATO support for the African Standby Force or increased
training and capacity building. De Hoop Scheffer said he has
known AU President John Kufour for a long time, and he was
"looking for an excuse" to meet with Kufour to help expand
NATO's relationship with the AU. He cautioned, however,
that some Allies do not support NATO,s engagement in Africa.



4. (C) The Deputy Secretary said his Chadian and Mauritanian
interlocutors had expressed concern over "Darfur-ization" of
the surrounding area. They were also concerned over
increased terrorist activity in North Africa and deepening
links to Al Qaeda. The SYG agreed, noting that NATO's
Mediterranean Dialogue was intended to help build a stronger
security relationship with North Africa. He added that if
NATO built up its "footprint" too quickly in the Maghreb it
might make those governments nervous. De Hoop Scheffer said
a long-term approach will be necessary, adding that the
December NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting could include a
meeting with Mediterranean Dialogue ministers.

Russia and Ukraine
==================


5. (C) The SYG said Kosovo, the Conventional Forces in Europe
Treaty, and the deployment of missile defense systems were
currently the most contentious issues between NATO and
Russia. He stressed the importance of alliance unity in the
face of Russia, adding that the Russians are "masters" at
exploiting internal divisions. The Alliance did show unity
at the recent Oslo Foreign Ministerial over both missile
defense and CFE issues, partly as a reaction to Russian
blustering. The Deputy Secretary noted that pre-electoral
dynamics and a sense of 1990's aggrievement were affecting
Russian psychology, and urged more attention to the likely
leadership styles of the two leading Presidential candidates.


6. (C) The SYG noted the North Atlantic Council has been
invited to visit Ukraine, but expressed doubt about the
timing due to upcoming elections. The Deputy Secretary noted
the low public support in Ukraine for closer ties with NATO,

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to which the SYG agreed, but said NATO "shouldn't give up."
The Deputy Secretary said this relationship is worth keeping
alive, adding now is not the time to press too hard, as this
might cause a backlash in the Ukraine.

Iraq
====


7. (C) The Deputy Secretary told the SYG that Iraq will
continue as a main focus for the U.S. in the months ahead.
Conferences with neighboring countries were useful, and some
progress had been made in gaining debt relief and cooperation
from the neighboring countries. The SYG said that NATO will
continue with its training mission in Iraq, adding that if
the U.S. were to leave it would result in "chaos." The
Deputy Secretary agreed that any U.S. departure would
increase terrorist threats throughout the Middle East.

Afghanistan
==========


8. (C) The Deputy Secretary said that during his May 15 - 16
visit to Paris that new NSA Jean-David Levitte had been
reassuring about France's commitment to Afghanistan, noting
some less positive campaign statements had been designed to
avoid endangering the (now released) French hostage. The SYG
said that Chirac was never fully committed to the mission in
Afghanistan, and was never "sold" on the concept of
Provincial Reconstruction Teams. He expressed hope that the
Sarkozy government will give greater support.


9. (U) The Deputy Secretary has cleared this cable.
NULAND