AT LONG LAST CHINESE AND BANGLADESHI UNITS DEPLOY

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000085 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: AT LONG LAST CHINESE AND BANGLADESHI UNITS DEPLOY ¶1. (SBU) Despite a 24-hour delay from their projected January 20 deployment date, the Chinese engineering unit and the Bangladeshi-formed police unit (FPU) of the United Nations Heavy Support Package (HSP) of assistance to the African Union Mission in the Sudan finally left their base in Nyala to begin their respective work in the field. Their deployment was delayed due to the visit by UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations Assistant-Secretary-General (A/SYG) Jane Holl Lute, who was in South Darfur the same day to assess deployment progress. ¶2. (SBU) According to a January 21 UNAMID briefing in El Fasher, both units and their Nigerian force protection have complete food rations and bedding and have deployed to the "Green Field," where the units will spend the next nine days constructing their own accommodations [NOTE: According to UNAMID Deputy Chief of Integrated Support Services (CISS),the units will continue to overnight in the PAE Forward Operating Base in Nyala until their lodging and latrines at the new location are completed. END NOTE]. ¶3. (SBU) Despite a 48-hour delay on issuance of the Fragmentation Order authorizing the units' deployment and A/SYG's unintended delay, the units have not encountered major problems. Initial reports of an absence of Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) for the Nigerian battalion to escort the units proved untrue. The Deputy CISS told FieldOff that the APCs are insured and now bear UN number plates (the initial absence of which had caused a slight delay). 40 containers of necessary supplies are due to arrive within the next two to three days, according to the Deputy CISS. He went on to dismiss reports that the Bangladeshi FPU was having a problem with the drinking water at the Green Field, confirming that the FPU had a 30-day supply of bottled water. The only potential complication raised by the Deputy CISS was uncertainty as to whether or not armed forces in the area - including the Government of Sudan and rebel movements - had been adequately informed of the units' deployment. He noted, however, that there had been no problems reported by any side in the run-up to deployment. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Given the early January attack on the UN convoy near Tine, West Darfur, UNAMID planners are taking additional measures to inform GOS and rebel sector commanders of their movements and deployments. ¶5. (SBU) Tripoli minimize considered. FERNANDEZ