READ-OUT OF MEETINGS WITH SYG BAN ON DARFUR

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000676 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SU UNSC KPKO SUBJECT: READ-OUT OF MEETINGS WITH SYG BAN ON DARFUR ¶1. (SBU) In an August 14 meeting with Ambassador Khalilzad, Secretary-General (SYG) Ban Ki-moon discussed his upcoming SIPDIS September 2-4 visit to Sudan, which would also include stops in Chad and Libya. The SYG hoped by the time of his trip, United Nations (UN) Special Envoy Eliasson and African Union (AU) Special Envoy Salim would be able to recommend convening an AU-UN-hosted "peace conference" of all parties to the Darfur conflict. SYG Ban solicited U.S. and UN Security Council (UNSC) help in convincing Sudan Liberation Movement faction leader Abdelwahid to participate in the peace process. ¶2. (SBU) SYG Ban was critical of recent press statements by AU Commission Chairperson Konare about the composition of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID),agreeing with Ambassador Khalilzad and with UNSC Members during his monthly luncheon with the UNSC (also held on August 14) that "African character" did not equal "African-only." South Africa was vocal in supporting this assertion and urged the SYG to make a statement about the UN's lead in UNAMID command and control. ¶3. (SBU) SYG Ban was positive following phone conversations with President Bashir. On the issue of the vacant post of Special Representative for the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS),the SYG reported to Ambassador Khalilzad that the Sudanese Government had not yet responded to the suggestion of Ashraf Qazi for this post. The SYG was concerned that to replace Qazi in Iraq without on onward assignment would constitute a "loss of face" for Qazi. ¶4. (SBU) During the August 14 SYG luncheon, Ambassador Khalilzad stressed the need for observation of Darfur benchmarks in order to provide the UNSC with ammunition to use its influence as necessary if the Darfur processes got off track. The Chinese Permanent Representative argued that political progress in Darfur was the most important issue, but Ambassador Khalilzad stressed that the military/peacekeeping track was necessary in the short-term to ensure meeting the long-term goal of political reconciliation. KHALILZAD