RESPONSE TO ARAB LEAGUE "SOLUTION PACKAGE" FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 084386 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SU AL EUN SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO ARAB LEAGUE "SOLUTION PACKAGE" FOR SUDAN REF: CAIRO 1603 Classified By: NEA/RA Director Michael Adler for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel, Arab League Chief of Staff Hisham Yousef presented Post with the Arab League's "solution package" for Sudan on July 28. Department requests Post convey to Yousef that the State Department has no comment on the package at this time. Post should also stress to Yousef the importance of pressing Khartoum to follow through with actions that change the dynamic on the ground in Darfur ) not more empty promises. -------------- OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Post's objectives are as follows: -- To convey that the U.S. has no position and no comment on the Arab League,s solution package at this time. -- To encourage the Arab League to press the Government of Sudan (GOS) to take positive, concrete actions to improve the situation in Darfur. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. (C) The GOS is pressing to suspend ICC proceedings against President Bashir for up to twelve months. Many countries (including some of our European partners who are primary ICC proponents) are thinking through what the "price" would be for such an action. The U.S. should not be at the forefront of action supporting or opposing deferral of the ICC proceedings. Continued uncertainty may motivate the Sudanese government to cooperate more fully with international efforts to resolve the Darfur crisis. The USG will remain vigilant to ensure any compromise reached is compatible with our interests. -------------- POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶11. (U) Please contact Joe Scovitch at 202-647-1378 (ScovitchJR@state.gov) for more information. RICE