A/S FRAZER'S MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT TAHA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001680 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR A/S FRAZER, S/E WILLIAMSON, AND AF/SPG NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2018 TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL KPKO UN AU SU SUBJECT: A/S FRAZER'S MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT TAHA Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: During a meeting with Vice President Ali Osman Taha November 3 in Khartoum, A/S Jendayi Frazer recognized progress in the deployment of UNAMID, but urged that there be a substantive basis for negotiations as a result of the Sudan People's Initiative (SPI),implementation of the recent agreement with Minni Minawi, and a new ceasefire mechanism. Frazer also pushed for the transfer of funds to war-torn Abyei so that reconstruction can begin. Taha expressed optimism that the SPI will produce recommendations next week and acknowledged the need for a comprehensive settlement with Darfur rebels. Taha said that Minawi must remain patient until there is a comprehensive settlement on Darfur, to which Frazer replied that if the regime hopes to bring other rebels into a peace agreement, it must live up to its commitments. The ICC was not mentioned explicitly during this or any other meetings with the NCP, though all discussions of what progress has and should be made were framed by the question of what it might take for the UN Security Council to support an article 16 deferral. End summary. ¶2. (C) A/S Frazer, NSC/Africa Bobby Pittman, SPG Director Shortley, SA Dana Banks, CDA Fernandez, and polchief met with Vice President Taha to discuss progress since VP Taha's meeting with Secretary Rice at UNGA in September. Frazer noted that there has been significant progress made by the regime with regard to UNAMID deployment, but that there are significant logistical roadblocks within the UN system. Frazer noted that the GOS has been issuing UNAMID visas. However, progress must still be made on the peace process including a renewed ceasefire, the Sudan People's Initiative must result in a substantive basis for negotiations, and the agreement made with Minni Minawi in El Fasher prior to the UN General Assembly still has not been implemented. Frazer noted progress in implementing the Abyei roadmap, but observed that the region still has not received the resources it needs. Frazer noted the recent move toward an improvement in relations between Chad and Sudan (with a proposed, but as yet unrealized, exchange of ambassadors). CDA Fernandez noted that additional progress is required in humanitarian access in Darfur, especially in South Darfur where the NGO community has had significant problems recently. SPG Shortley stated that 400 soldiers of the SAF 31st brigade remain in Abyei at Difra, and noted that during SE Williamson's visit Presidential Advisor Nafie ali Nafie had agreed that they would be removed. ¶3. (C) Vice President Taha pointed out that there have been some positive steps taken since his meeting with Secretary Rice in New York. Taha agreed that there has been progress on peacekeeping, but that a greater focus on logistics is needed, and stated that "we maintain our commitment to the deployment of UNAMID." Taha argued that the Sudan People's Initiative had been successful thus far, and said he expected results of the initiative would be presented at a plenary session next week - with a communiqu and recommendations. However, Taha acknowledged that a comprehensive settlement with the rebels is needed, and stated optimistically that "they have been encouraged to come forward." "After next week we will see how the Qatar initiative goes forward," said Taha. Taha said relations had improved with Chad, and that the two countries would exchange ambassadors, which would "have a positive impact on peace and the atmosphere for negotiations." Taha said the SPLM initiative on Darfur is also encouraging, and though he had not yet received a read-out from Pagan Amum and Yasir Arman, he would meet with them on November 4. On Abyei, Taha noted that the interim administration is now in place and promised that money would begin to flow into the region. ¶4. (C) Taha was less positive in his remarks concerning Minni Minawi, stating that Minawi must be patient, as the "time would come when there will be a comprehensive settlement" and money cannot simply flow into the land resettlement commission, for example. Taha said that Minni wanted to fire people who had been appointed to the commissions, and this was inappropriate. Taha pledged that President Bashir is open to a compensation fund as well as the commitment of rehabilitation funds and stated that the government is "working out the commitments and making arrangements for experts." (Note: It was not clear at this point in his remarks whether Taha was referring to proposals made in the SPI, or commitments that had been made to Minawi. End note.) KHARTOUM 00001680 002 OF 002 Taha said that "people must be assigned to these commissions" and complained that there had not been good management of commissions in the past (here he was certainly referring to the TDRA, which is managed primarily by Minawi's SLM party members but has not been funded). Taha concluded that "appropriations will be made" but in "accordance with the mediation." ¶5. (C) A/S Frazer pointed out that "this is a delicate situation," because other rebels will be affected by how Minawi is treated, and Minawi himself must see that his agreement is in place and functioning if he is to encourage other rebels to reach an agreement with the government. "We are aware of this," said Taha, "and will work with him as much as we can." "The DPA is the basis of what is to come," said Taha. Frazer asked for the government's position on a possible Darfur settlement, such as the question of one Darfur or a vice president for Darfur. Taha noted that there is no unified view on the question of whether Darfur should be one region, and stated "we are not taking sides in this." However Taha stated optimistically that "contacts are being made with the rebels to sense their views" in order to reach a successful comprehensive agreement. ¶6. (C) Comment: VP Taha is by nature concise in his remarks, and this meeting was brief and to the point. Taha did not elaborate on anything, but was obviously eager to demonstrate that the regime has made positive steps and express optimism that there will be continued progress. Taha did not raise the question of the ICC, nor did any other NCP officials with whom A/S Frazer met with during her visit; however, all discussions were framed around Secretary Rice's conversation with Vice President Taha in September - in terms of measuring progress on the ground since the time of that meeting. The regime appears to be operating on the assumption that enough progress might be made by the end of the year to justify an article 16 deferral, but having been rebuffed by all P-3 countries on any possible deal, the NCP for now is building its case to demonstrate progress while quietly steeling itself for the worst. End Comment. ¶7. (U) A/S Frazer,s party had the opportunity to review this message before transmission. FERNANDEZ