HAC PROMISES TO COOPERATE ON DAI ISSUE

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000106 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, AF SE NATSIOS ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: HAC PROMISES TO COOPERATE ON DAI ISSUE REF: (A) KHARTOUM 100 (B) KHARTOUM 91 ¶1. (SBU) CDA Fernandez met January 24 with Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Haroun Ron and Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Hassabo Abdel Rahman for the second time this week to attempt to resolve the issue of USAID-funded transition partner Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI). Post is concerned about the escalation of threats made against DAI by HAC NGO Director Moutassim Abulgassim (reftel). When HAC Commissioner Hassabo effectively avoided all of our calls throughout the day (and with acting MFA Ali Karti also avoiding us) we finally succeeded in meeting with Minister Ron late in the afternoon. When Minister Ron heard about the escalation of threats, he and and Under-Secretary Charles Manyang, both sympathetic SPLM officials, immediately convoked HAC Commissioner Hassabo to his office. ¶2. (SBU) CDA relayed reports that Mutassim had reportedly threatened DAI and given a 48-hour deadline to resolve labor disputes and turn over various documents to the HAC. He said this was an unnecessary escalation of the situation given that AID Director Fleuret and Hassabo himself had met on this issue only days before. As discussed with USAID before the meeting, CDA suggested some self-discipline by the HAC on the issue, USAID is very willing to discuss all the DAI-related issues upon Fleuret's return to Sudan in two weeks and USAID can accompany the HAC to Darfur to sort out whatever misunderstandings there may be. CDA pointed out that the reported accusations against DAI, that they had given money to opposition groups and had even armed them, were ridiculous and untrue. CDA noted that Minister Ron and Hassabo had requested that USAID transition from humanitarian assistance to development, and that in order for this to happen we must avoid situations like the one with DAI. CDA requested that Hassabo direct Mutassim to stand down on his insistent and improper demands and wait two weeks until Fleuret and Hassabo had a chance to address the situation themselves in Nyala. ¶3. (SBU) Hassabo claimed there must have been a misunderstanding and insisted that no threats or ultimatums had been delivered to DAI. He noted the agreement reached with Fleuret to resolve the situation in two weeks when they could travel together to Nyala. Hassabo assured CDA and the Minister that everything would be resolved amicably. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: We hope that with this second meeting the escalation of rhetoric and reported threats will subside. Unfortunately, the good offices of the SPLM appointed Minister and Under-Secretary often do not avail before the nefarious influence of Hassabo and the Minister of State, indicted war criminal Ahmed Haroun. It seemed to work this time and our sense is that Hassabo will in fact call off his henchmen for now. But this is only one small skirmish in a drawn out war of attrition by influential elements in the regime against the NGO community, the West, and American interests in Sudan. FERNANDEZ