SUDAN CONSORTIUM PLANNING

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000354 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON 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: SUDAN CONSORTIUM PLANNING ¶1. (U) This is an action request, please see paragraphs 3 and 4. ¶2. (SBU) Deputy SRSG Amira Haq and World Bank Country Manager Asif Faiz asked CDA Fernandez March 9 for U.S. assistance with the agenda and venue of the Sudan Consortium, due to take place in Paris May 6-8. According to Haq these are the only dates that will work due to the planned national census in Sudan at the end of April and the SPLM Congress in May. ¶3. (SBU) The most difficult issue is where Darfur should figure on the Consortium agenda, with the GOS requesting that Darfur be discussed at the end of the Consortium and most donors expressing a preference to discuss Darfur first. The EC and Canada have even suggested not holding a Consortium meeting due to the recent GOS escalation of attacks in West Darfur. D/SRSG Haq and CDA Fernandez agreed this would be counter-productive and would play into the hands of the regime, who have little to gain from the Consortium since most of the assistance pledged will be for the South and Darfur. Haq requested U.S. assistance convincing the EC, Canada, and other donors to accept a compromise: discuss Darfur up front but in a closed-door "constructive" session focused on the way forward. Haq believes that the GOS will accept this compromise, based on her discussions with MFA U/S Mutriff Siddiq, who does not want the Darfur portion of the agenda to turn into a GOS-bashing session. (Note: The SPLM, for its part, does not want Darfur included on the agenda. End note.) ¶4. (SBU) Haq also requested U.S. assistance with the venue. Since the World Bank venue in Paris is not available during May 6-8 (she has not received replies from the OECD and UNESCO) Haq asked whether the U.S. would object to the World Bank hosting the Consortium in Washington. CDA Fernandez observed that Paris is reportedly keen to host and that Washington may have some objections given the short time frame, but that we would communicate her request. ¶5. (SBU) Post would appreciate feedback on these proposals so we may share them with D/SRSG Haq and her staff. FERNANDEZ