DEMARCHE ON UNMIS FORCE COMMANDER

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 007222 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV UNSC SU IN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON UNMIS FORCE COMMANDER REF: A. STATE 170092 ¶B. KHARTOUM 70 ¶C. 2007 NEW DELHI 5410 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5 & 6. ¶2. (U) Background: The tour of UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) Force Commander Lt. General Jasbir Singh Lidder, originally set to expire in early January (ref a),has been extended three months and is set to end in March 2008 (ref b). We, however, would like his tour extended for at least six months, through June 2008. UNMIS is the UN peacekeeping operation mandated to monitor and support implementation of Sudan,s historic Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),which ended 21 years of civil war between northern and southern Sudan when it was signed on January 9, 2005. Under the CPA, the parties to the agreement (e.g. the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM)) are provided a six-year interim period during which a census, national elections, and a referendum on the South,s final status as part of a united or divided Sudan will take place. ¶3. (U) UNMIS is at a critical juncture during the CPA,s interim period-- between signing of the agreement and the vote on North/South unity in 2011. Before the onset of the rainy season in the spring, Lidder,s leadership and expertise is needed to facilitate the redeployment of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People,s Liberation Army (SPLA) troops from the border, as well as to lead efforts to train, equip, and reposition the Joint Integrated Units (JIUs) (SAF & SPLA combined units) in sensitive border and oil regions. The extension of Lidder,s tour for at least six months as opposed to three months will give him the chance to make headway on these pivotal areas before the onset of the rainy season when military movement is infeasible. ¶4. TALKING POINTS: - We believe that Lt. Gen. Jasbir Singh Lidder is an effective and capable leader of a very difficult mission. Given Lt. Gen. Lidder,s proven track record, we would like to see his tour as UNMIS Force Commander extended for at least an additional three months, bringing the full extension to at least six months. - We believe that should Lt. Gen. Lidder,s term not be extended, it would have an adverse effect on both UNMIS and the implementation of the CPA. Without strong and experienced leadership, UNMIS,s already challenging mission would be made even more difficult. Moreover, the United Nations does not yet have a leader positioned to replace him. - It is also important to note that this request comes at a critical time. Progress in certain key areas under Lidder,s command, such as the redeployment of SAF and SPLA troops, as well as the training and equipping of the JIUs, must continue in order to support implementation of the CPA. Once the 2008 rainy season begins in May/June, weather conditions will make military maneuvering nearly impossible. - By securing an additional three-month extension of Lt. Gen. Lidder,s tour of duty, we will be able to keep UNMIS on track and moving forward. Once the rainy season begins, there will be a natural window of time in which to replace Lidder, if necessary. Meanwhile, he will have continued to be effective in his role as UNMIS Force Commander. ¶5. ACTION REQUEST TO NEW DELHI: Drawing from the background and talking points above, Post is requested to approach appropriate high-level officials within the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense to urge an extension of Mr. Lidder,s tour for at least an additional three months so he can remain in Sudan until the rainy season begins in May/June. If his tour can be extended beyond June, until his replacement is named for instance, that would be ideal. ¶6. ACTION REQUEST USUN: Drawing from the background and talking points above, Post is requested to approach Indian UN counterparts at the highest possible level to underscore that we are requesting an additional extension of UNMIS Force Commander Lidder,s tour of duty for at least three months and that we are also making similar requests in New Delhi. We look forward to India,s cooperation on this issue. ¶7. Please respond no later than January 25. POCs in AF/SPG STATE 00007222 002 OF 002 are Pamela Fierst and Raja Seshadri. End Points. RICE