SAG STILL REFUSES TO APPROACH THE SUDAN ON CHAD;

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000206 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL SU CD SA SUBJECT: SAG STILL REFUSES TO APPROACH THE SUDAN ON CHAD; NEED MORE EVIDENCE REF: A. RIYADH 153 ¶B. SECSTATE 12030 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Head of the Arab States Department Ambassador al-Kuhaimi and Head of the African Affairs Department Khalid Mofty on February 11. The demarche was also delivered via diplomatic note on February ¶6. Al-Kuhaimi essentially repeated the message delivered on the Chad situation to Charge d'Affaires from Prince Turki Saud al-Kabeer, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, during their February 4 meeting (Ref A): "Give us (the SAG) evidence of Sudan's involvement with the Chad rebels, and we will approach the Sudanese government." Without specific evidence in hand, the SAG will not talk with the Sudanese government. However, they said that with evidence of GOS interference, the SAG would condemn the Sudanese government and urge an end to their cooperation with the Chad rebels. ¶2. (C) Al-Kuhaimi added that the situation in Chad seems to have quieted down now. However, he was unsure whether or not it would last. The SAG does have a strong interest in regional stability and wants to assist in resolving the situation in Chad. However, without proof, the SAG will not even discuss this issue with the Sudanese government. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Al-Kuhaimi repeatedly said that the SAG needs specific evidence before even having a conversation-- no matter how general and unaccusatory-- with the Sudanese government. When told that the United Nations Security Council condemned the rebel attacks and Sudanese government involvement, he said that there was not enough proof to enable the SAG to approach the Sudan. END COMMENT. GFOELLER