LIBYA OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS TO RESOLVE DARFUR, CHAD

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000357 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG, AF/C, AND NEA/MAG ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL UN AU SU LY CD SUBJECT: LIBYA OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS TO RESOLVE DARFUR, CHAD CONFLICTS ¶1. (SBU) The Libyan Government remains open to U.S. ideas for advancing the Darfur peace process and resolving the Sudan-Chad conflict, Libyan Consul General in El Fasher Naji Yousef told POLOFF on March 10, 2008. While Tripoli continues to try to broker a peace settlement between the Darfur rebel movements and Sudan and between Sudan and Chad, the failure of past agreements has eroded trust among the parties. Believing their opponents will not adhere to their commitments, Chad, Sudan and the rebel groups on either side of the border do not have a genuine interest in negotiations. Yousef emphasized several times that he is open to passing any U.S. suggestions for defusing the conflicts in Darfur and Chad to "the Libyan leadership" but seemed skeptical that successful negotiations on either issue are on the horizon. ¶2. (SBU) In Darfur, the proliferation of rebel factions complicated peace efforts, said Yousef. In the absence of an internationally-backed effort to unify the movements and press their leaders to rise above personal ambition, negotiations will not resume. Regarding Chad, he noted that Libya is monitoring the proposed meeting between Chadian and Sudanese representatives in Dakar and that Leader Moammar Qaddhafi is "pushing ahead such efforts." ¶3. (SBU) POLOFF explained that the U.S. priority is to improve the security environment in Darfur to create the political space for a peace settlement. He stressed that governments with influence on the actors involved in the conflict should encourage them to seek a political rather than a military solution. The March 18 UN/AU-sponsored meeting in Geneva will provide a forum for discussing how "influential governments" can bring the parties to negotiations by building confidence in the process, POLOFF suggested. On Chad, POLOFF said that the USG supported AU mediation efforts and expected that Sudan cease its support for Chadian opposition forces, that the Chadian rebels renounce violence, and that Chad and the opposition pursue political dialogue. -------------- Bio Note -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Yousef, who is entering his third year as the Libyan Consul General in El Fasher, is a career diplomat who understands English, though is reticent to speak it. Though reserved at first, he warmed quickly and seemed genuinely open to discussing ways that the U.S. and Libya could cooperate on Darfur and Chad. He intimated that he reports directly to Tripoli, rather through the Libyan Ambassador in Khartoum. ¶5. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. FERNANDEZ