UN/SUDAN SANCTIONS: UK AND FRENCH REACTIONS TO US

S E C R E T USUN NEW YORK 000166 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2017 TAGS: PREL UNSC ETTC SU SUBJECT: UN/SUDAN SANCTIONS: UK AND FRENCH REACTIONS TO US SANCTIONS TARGETS REF: STATE 024349 Classified By: MINISTER COUNSELOR WILLIAM BRENCICK, FOR REASONS: 1.4(B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Summary and action request: USUN delivered reftel demarche February 28, sharing with the UK and France the names of Sudanese we propose for sanctions per UNSCR 1591 (2005). The UK expressed concern that the senior rank of one target would provoke Russian and Chinese opposition at the outset. The UK also passed USUN a list of nine targets London is considering for sanctions. France had no immediate reaction to the names. Please see request for guidance in paragraphs 3 and 4 below. End Summary and action request. ¶2. (S) USUN delivered reftel demarche February 28. In discussions with the British, UKUN PolOff David Whineray indicated that London may be hesitant to target an official as senior in the Government of Sudan as Awad Ibn Auf, Head of GOS Military Intelligence and Security. Whineray anticipated particular Chinese and Russian opposition to this designation. He also stated his personal view that the P3 should not miss using the threat of sanctions as an opportunity to make diplomatic gains in Sudan. Specifically, he proposed to present the names for possible designation to Russia and China as an opening position, and use the threat of submitting the names to the Sudan Sanctions Committee to induce China and Russia to pressure Sudan to deliver 1) an immediate improvement in humanitarian situation on the ground, 2) an end to violations of the arms embargo and to offensive overflights, and 3) complete cooperation on the Heavy Support Package. Whineray also indicated that London, at all levels, supports expanding the arms embargo to cover all of Sudan. ¶3. (S) Whineray in turn shared with USUN nine names, listed in paragraph 5 below, that London is considering for sanctions. London would like an early indication of whether USUN can support the names before HMG takes a formal decision to pursue designation. (One individual, Ahmed Haroun, State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, is among the three US targets. USUN requested identifying information for the remainder of the names.) USUN requests Department guidance on whether to support any of the UK proposed names. ¶4. (C) In a separate conversation, French PolOff Clement LeClerc had no immediate reaction to the names, but asked if USUN will proceed with UN sanctions if Bashir vows complete cooperation on the Heavy Support Package in the upcoming days or weeks. USUN requests Department guidance on what factors will influence whether USUN submits the names to the Sanctions Committee for designation. ¶5. (C) UK proposed names for designation in the Sudan Sanctions Committee: ¶1. General Ali al-Sharif al-Tahir Ahmed, SAF Western Military Commander ¶2. Major General Abdullah Khalif Bashir, Former SAF Western Military Commander ¶3. Lt. General Mohammed Abdel Qadir, SAF Airforce Commander ¶4. Mahjzoub Hussein ¶5. Commander Adam Abu Jimaiza ¶6. Sharif Harir ¶7. Ali Karabino ¶8. Ahmed Haroun (alt. Ahmed Harun),State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs ¶9. Ali Kosheeb (alt. Ali Kushayb or Kushayb (aka Ali Muhammad Ah Abd-al-Rahman)),Janjaweed militia leader End UK proposed names. WOLFF