UNSC WELCOMES ARUSHA PROGRESS AND LOOKS FORWARD TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000656 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SU UNSC KPKO SUBJECT: UNSC WELCOMES ARUSHA PROGRESS AND LOOKS FORWARD TO COMING NEGOTIATIONS USUN NEW Y 00000656 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. At August 9 United Nations Security Council consultations, Department of Peacekeeping Operations Assistant-Secretary-General Hedi Annabi heralded the positive atmosphere at August 3-6 Arusha consultations, which represented the first meeting of all key leaders in the Darfur conflict since the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement. Annabi had no updates on the exact timing or venue of the planned final negotiations between the Darfur rebels and the Sudanese Government of National Unity, adding that more time was need for the rebels to "put flesh on the bones" of their common platform paper. In response to Members' expressions of regret that Sudan Liberation Movement faction leader Abdelwahid al-Nur had been absent from Arusha, Annabi said his moment of truth would come when invitations to final negotiations were issued. Annabi reported that UN Special Envoy Eliasson was currently in Darfur to discuss with tribal leaders, women's groups, refugees, IDPs and other civil society members ways to bring them into the political process, per the rebel platform. Members agreed to a press statement issued by the Congolese Presidency after consultations welcoming UN and African Union efforts, calling for expedited negotiations and urging respect for the cease-fire; text in paragraph 7. END SUMMARY. ANNABI DESCRIBED "ENABLING ENVIRONMENT" IN ARUSHA -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) At August 9 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) consultations, Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) Assistant-Secretary-General (A/SYG) Hedi Annabi heralded the positive atmosphere at August 3-6 Ngurdoto, Arusha consultations, which represented the first meeting of all key leaders in the Darfur conflict since the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). Annabi reported that the rebel groups JEM, SFDA, NMRD, SLM-Hamis and SLM-Unity were represented, but that SLM faction leader Abdelwahid al-Nur was absent. Annabi said that field commanders also attended, as did representatives of regional players Chad, Egypt, Eritrea and Libya, whose participation he called constructive. ¶3. (SBU) A/SYG Annabi outlined the five main areas discussed in Arusha: first, a common rebel negotiating platform; second, criteria for and level of participation in forthcoming negotiations; third, agenda and venue for forthcoming negotiations; fourth, participation of tribal leaders, women's groups, refugees, IDPs and civil society in forthcoming negotiations; and fifth, security and humanitarian matters. Annabi said a workshop would precede final negotiations, which would address wealth- and power-sharing issues, security arrangements, land issues and humanitarian matters, based on agreements reached in Tripoli in July and under UNSCR 1769. Annabi noted that the rebel platform paper was considered confidential for the time being but enumerated its key provisions: readiness to respect UN-AU leadership in the political process, readiness to respect the cease-fire as long as all other parties to the Darfur conflict did the same, willingness to keep the platform open to absentees, commitment to unhindered humanitarian access, acceptance of UNSCR 1769 (2007) and its implementation, and willingness to address the concerns of all negotiating parties through the appropriate mechanisms (Annabi noted the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation could be used for this purpose). ¶4. (SBU) A/SYG Annabi attributed international community support, especially that of the Government of Tanzania, for the success in Arusha. He urged the UNSC to remain engaged, particularly with the AU, in the run-up to final negotiations between the rebels and the Sudanese Government of National Unity (GNU). Annabi noted that while the GNU had welcomed the Arusha conclusions, it had reiterated its objections to a "wholesale re-negotiation" of the DPA. Annabi stressed that all parties must adopt an attitude of "mutual accommodation and compromise" for final negotiations, adding that Abdelwahid's moment of truth would come when the final invitations were eventually issued. Annabi said that Eliasson would be on the ground in Darfur to consult with relevant stakeholders in all three Darfur states and that AU Envoy Salim would pick up in Khartoum during the week of August 13. USUN NEW Y 00000656 002.2 OF 002 MEMBERS COMMEND ENVOYS, CASTIGATE ABDELWAHID -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Members were unanimous in their congratulations to the UN and AU Envoys for their successful efforts in Arusha. Many Members (including South Africa) also paid tribute to the Darfur rebel movements for coming forward out of respect for the consultative process in Arusha. Members were impatient for next steps, stressing that the date for final negotiations not slip beyond the two- to three-month window elaborated by the rebels. Khartoum's allies (including Indonesia, Qatar and Russia) spoke in its defense, stressing that its "encouraging" response to Arusha not be left unnoticed and that the DPA not be re-opened in negotiations to come. ¶6. (SBU) Most Members expressed regret that Abdelwahid was absent from Arusha talks and called on those with appropriate influence to encourage him to join the political process. Ghanaian PermRep Christian expressed hope that SLA humanitarian coordinator Suleiman Jamous could participate in final negotiations and called on the GNU to bring him on board. Russian PermRep Churkin and the Qatari delegate suggested in their interventions that Abdelwahid's failure to participate in Arusha talks contravened UNSCR 1769 and AU-UN Roadmap obligations, with Churkin asking about measures to be taken in response. Members also called for respect for the cease-fire, with the Indonesian PermRep citing the August 8 incident in Adila as a violation. In response to Ambassador Sanders' request for further clarification on the Adila incident, A/SYG Annabi reiterated media reports that Darfur rebels claimed to have shot down a Sudanese MiG-29 about 2km south of Adila in the eastern corner of South Darfur, a town where during the week of July 30 the GNU had accused JEM rebels of an attack. Annabi noted speculation that the GNU acted now in retribution for the JEM attack but said so far the GNU had made no official comment. ¶7. (SBU) At UK suggestion (to stave off an original South African request for a Presidential Statement),Members agreed to a press statement to be delivered after consultations by the Congolese Presidency. The text of the statement was issued as Security Council document SC/9094 and read as follows: "The members of the Security Council welcome the substantial progress made by the Special Envoys (Jan Eliasson for the United Nations and Salim Ahmed Salim for the African Union) at Arusha on Darfur. That progress builds on the momentum generated by the meeting held in Tripoli on 13 July 2007 and the adoption of Security Council resolution 1769 (2007). The Council continues to stress the importance of pursuing the political and peacekeeping tracks simultaneously. The members of the Security Council now call on all parties to move from pre-negotiations to negotiations as soon as possible and to demonstrate their commitment to the political process through concrete actions, in particular a cessation of hostilities. The members also call on all key movement leaders to enter and participate in the AU-UN process." KHALILZAD