UNAMID DEPLOYMENT UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001577 DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON, AF/SPG, AF/E NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: UNAMID DEPLOYMENT UPDATE REF: A) KHARTOUM 1507 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Despite minor setbacks, UNAMID deployment appears to be on track; end of year deployment goals should be met. As of October 22, UNAMID had received more than 50 percent of expected Darfur staffing with a combined total of 13,700 UNAMID military, police and civilian staff. Deployment of the Egyptian and Ethiopian Battalions has been slow and at times contentious, but should be completed soon. UNAMID welcomes U.S. airlift support, but has concerns about overburdening local airports. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Poloffs spoke with Wolfgang Weiszegger, Deputy Director of Mission Support, and LTC Rick Thompson, UNAMID Logistics Officer on October 22 to review the latest developments in UNAMID deployment. Deployment Goals -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Both contacts agree that sixty percent deployment by the end of 2008 is achievable, although Thompson feels the El Geneina deployment timeline may have to be pushed back one or two weeks due to the effects of bad weather on road conditions and airlift capacity. In anticipation of better weather, UNAMID has just released task orders for commercial contractor "Agility" to transport contingent-owned equipment (COE) from El Obeid to El Geneina. Weisgegger stated that, as of October 22, UNAMID had received more than 50 per cent of expected Darfur staffing with a combined total of 13,700 UNAMID military, police and civilian staff. Equipment Movement and GoS Cooperation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Weiszegger noted recent progress in resolving outstanding backlogged container transportation issues. UNAMID has also resolved the contracting mechanism problem for transportation companies for West Darfur, and contractors will begin shipments on November 1. Weiszegger recently signed a contract for two IL-76s to make 200 sorties "which will really help complement our land deliveries to the west." Thompson confirmed that equipment is moving, but said it was contingent on GoS cooperation, which "depends on the area, the subject and the day." Customs clearances have been steady, but lack of communication between national and local authorities have led to delays in container movements. Recently, the Wali of West Darfur wanted to open all UNAMID containers before allowing them to transit the state. However, UNAMID requested national government intervention, and the containers were moved after a day or two without the disruption. ¶5. (SBU) Weisgegger said communication within the GoS needs to be improved. He appreciated the presence of a GoS Major General and two Colonels in Nyala and Geneina who are focusing just on coordination with UNAMID. Thompson said GoS collaboration is best where UNAMID provides funding and materials such as the El Geniena Airport rehabilitation project. However, the promised 24/7 operation (not for flights, but for preparations) at the airfield is still lip-service as airport officials claim to lack funding for staff. Airport management has reportedly asked repeatedly for additional funds. ¶6. (SBU) Obtaining visas in a timely fashion continues to be an nagging impediment to deployment, though there have been some improvements. Weiszegger noted the GoS granted and renewed over three hundred visas from Oct 12-16; however there is noticeable discrimination against many Western countries. A Swedish contingent has been waiting for visas since April 30, and a German contingent has been waiting since July. French and American staff officer visas are also pending. Weiszegger lamented, "After we meet to discuss visa issues, they approve one or two, but they have never issued all the visas we requested". Weiszegger also noted that it would be better for UNAMID if visas were rejected rather than held up, "as we could submit new applications for other individuals, but they will never tell us 'no' outright as this would be a SOFA violation." U.S.-Provided Airlift Support -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Potential U.S. air support is greatly appreciated by UNAMID HQ. However, there are concerns that the airports may be unable to handle additional aircraft - especially overnight - as they are already close to capacity. The logistics of the airlift will have to be coordinated carefully given the constraints on the ground. FPUs -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Over the last week, UNAMID received long-awaited Indonesian and Nepalese Formed Police Units (FPUs) which should improve KHARTOUM 00001577 002 OF 002 security at more IDP camps. The Nepalese are in temporary accommodations until they move to their assigned position in the Nyala super camp. The 140-strong Indonesian FPU arrived Oct 9 before their British sub-contractors built their camp. Their equipment, with the exception of APCs, is in place. The British contractors did not submit visa applications until last week so they still lack visas. The contractors estimate they will require approximately 30 days from arrival to build the camp using prefabricated buildings. Meanwhile, the Indonesians have been working with UNAMID to make use of PAE engineers to accomplish preliminary engineering to flatten a hill to accommodate their equipment. Upcoming deployments of Bangladeshi and Egyptian units are still on track. Egyptian and Ethiopian Battalion Deployment -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Weiszegger noted that deployment of the Ethiopian battalion is slow-going. Load lists of equipment for the second Ethiopian battalion and a Senegalese battalion are due this week. If this information is not received this week, it could jeopardize the arrival of 350 Ethiopians troops in February, and 450 more in March. ¶10. (SBU) Lt. Col. Thompson characterized the Egyptians as "prima donnas." The Egyptians agreed to the "Brown Field" concept under which they would build their own camp, but are now insisting moving into a completed camp in Um Kadada (east of El Fasher) where a Rwandan battalion is currently housed, instead of showing a willingness to build their own camp. However, Thompson concedes that UNAMID contributed to the problem by not delivering all of the Egyptians' equipment as promised (and much that was delivered was damaged). The displaced Rwandans were moved to the El Fasher super camp. They are occupying a 500-space area in the transit camp that has been rushed into service until UNAMID can complete permanent facilities in the super camp in December. Comment -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Although UNAMID appears to be on track with current deployment timelines, meeting these goals is heavily dependent on cooperation with the GOS - thus continued pressure and engagement with the regime will be essential. Nonetheless, UNAMID continues to make significant progress in terms of logistics and administration. UNAMID must begin to more fully address its strategy for fulfilling its humanitarian mandate, however. DATT and polchief will travel to El Fasher next week to discuss core mission elements such as protection and verification/monitoring with senior UNAMID officers. FERNANDEZ