A/S FRAZER,S NOVEMBER 2 MEETING WITH GOSS VP MACHAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001743

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON, AF/SPG, AF/C
NSC FOR HUDSON AND PITTMAN
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SU UG
SUBJECT: A/S FRAZER,S NOVEMBER 2 MEETING WITH GOSS VP MACHAR

Classified By: CDA Alberto Fernandez for reasons 1.4(b) & (d)


1. (SBU) In his meeting with Assistant Secretary Frazer in
Juba on November 2, GOSS Vice President Riek Machar reviewed
the current impasse in the Juba Peace Process as the parties
to the Final Peace Agreement between the LRA and Government
of Uganda continue to wait to see if LRA Commander Joseph
Kony will eventually sign the document. Machar was joined in
the meeting by Western Equatoria state governor Jemma Kumbo,
Internal Affairs Minister Paul Mayom, Deputy Mediator for the
Juba Peace Process Samson Kwaje, and GOSS Liaison
Representative Ezekiel Gatkuoth.


2. (SBU) Machar noted that Kony continued to distrust him,
and remained resistant to signing the peace accord in the
absence of concrete guarantees that he would not be turned
over to the International Criminal Court. Machar observed
that Kony,s resistance remained unfortunate and frustrating,
particularly given efforts by the Ugandan government to move
forward with select elements of the FPA,s implementation.
Machar tied much of Kony,s intransigence to his
unwillingness to delegate. While allowing that some within
senior Ugandan government circles believe that this may soon
change if &one or two senior LRA commanders8 are allowed to
step forward, the situation in the Congo may further stall
positive progress in the interim. While the up-tick in
violence in Eastern Congo remained a particular point of
concern, and he cited renewed attacks in Southern Sudan once
LRA food supplies were depleted as a &real possibility,8
Machar emphasized he continues to be optimistic that a
lasting peace was at hand.


3. (SBU) A/S Frazer dismissed Kony,s cautiousness, noting
that the Ugandan government has been clear in its agreement
with the LRA regarding Kony,s need for intra-territorial
judicial accommodation. &Continued delay calls into
question his sincerity toward and seriousness about peace,8
noted A/S Frazer. Machar countered that the &onus was on
Kampala8 to better demonstrate robust support in meeting
Kony,s concerns. A/S Frazer continued that the U.S.
Government remains concerned that Kony is stalling in order
to create space for re-supply and renewed training, citing
recent forays into the Central African Republic. Machar
yielded little information on the subject of possible
re-supply, while acknowledging long-standing concerns about
possible Khartoum or Chadian rebel involvement, and more
recently, possible assistance from Congolese rebel groups.
Internal Affairs Minister Paul Mayom noted that there was
little reason to disbelieve Kony was getting outside
assistance, &after all, something has made him confident
about not signing.8


4. (SBU) Governor of Western Equatoria state Jemma Kumbo
launched into an impassioned defense of her state,s needs in
the face of an elusive peace. Western Equatoria borders both
Northern Uganda and the Central African Republic, and has
been subject to countless attacks over the past year. The
most recent LRA attack on Sakure proved particularly violent,
resulting in direct engagement of the SPLA, the abduction of
children, and the burning of homes. Kumbo emphasized that
the persistence of the LRA along the
Sudanese/Congolese/Ugandan border remains an obstacle to CPA
implementation within her state ) with effects on returns of
Southern IDPs and refugees and GOSS service delivery. &This
is no longer Uganda,s problem ) the Juba Peace Process has
resolved that,8 she said, referring to the Assistant
Secretary,s comments on Northern Ugandan reconciliation.
&This has again become a problem for our people.8 Asked by
Machar if she was advocating a military solution, Kumbo,
caught off-guard by the VP,s implied insinuation that she
was not on &his page,8 quickly noted that she was not
&advocating invasion of the Congo,8 but continued, &we
should be able to demand that Kinshasa take action.8


5. (C) Comment: Machar,s continued optimism contrasts with
that of other observers, for example GoSS President Salva
Kiir (septel). Kony appears intent on stringing out the
Peace Process as long as it is to his advantage. Based on
his track record we cannot be sure of Machar,s reliability
in any of this. End Comment.


6. (U) This cable was cleared by Assistant Secretary Frazer
following her departure.

FERNANDEZ