Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK114
2008-02-07 23:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:  

UPDATE ON DARFUR PEACEKEEPING DEPLOYMENT FOR 07

Tags:  AF PGOV PREL SU NSC UNSC KPKO MOPS 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 072309Z FEB 08 ZFF4
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3675
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5/UNMA// PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000114 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR IO AND AF; PLEASE PASS TO SE WILLIAMSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2018
TAGS: AF PGOV PREL SU NSC UNSC KPKO MOPS
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DARFUR PEACEKEEPING DEPLOYMENT FOR 07
FEB 2008

REF: USUN 106

Classified By: Ambassador Alex Wolff for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000114

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR IO AND AF; PLEASE PASS TO SE WILLIAMSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2018
TAGS: AF PGOV PREL SU NSC UNSC KPKO MOPS
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DARFUR PEACEKEEPING DEPLOYMENT FOR 07
FEB 2008

REF: USUN 106

Classified By: Ambassador Alex Wolff for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request, please see paragraph 3.


2. (C) SUMMARY: Updates on UNAMID TCC deployments
including police units; helicopter update; contractor issues
and the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). END SUMMARY


3. (C) UNAMID Deployment:

--Egypt: The heavy transport unit is scheduled to deploy
February 29. -The signal and engineering units is scheduled
to deploy 10 March. The infantry battalion will deploy in two
waves, with the first 400 troops scheduled for March 14 and
the second 400 troops scheduled for April 9.

--Ethiopia: The infantry Battalion tentatively scheduled to
deploy in March or April. This is contingent on solving
existing equipment readiness issues.

--Former AMIS units: The IOT informed USUN MSC that Force
Commander General Agwai is pushing for all of the former AMIS
battalions that are now part of UNAMID to be brought up to UN
manning and equipment levels. According to General Agwai,
this should take place during the next rotation, which is
scheduled for April and May. USUN MSC Rep noted that this
does not match the US Government's timelines for training and
equipping these units (ACTION REQUEST: USUN recommends Dept
contact members of the AMIS donor group to request support in
equipping the eight former AMIS battalions up to UN
standards).

--UNAMID Police Component: The IOT reported that the
deployment of individual police officers, currently 1,567
personnel, is on track. Regarding Formed Police Units
(FPUs),Bangladesh is still the only deployed unit. The
majority of the Nepalese FPU equipment is scheduled to arrive
in Sudan on March 15, although the portion designated as
hazardous cargo is still delayed at the Nepalese/Indian
border. DPKO is currently conducting the Pre-Deployment
Visit (PDV) with Indonesia, whose first FPU is scheduled to
arrive on March 25. The Egyptians completed their PDV on
January 31, and are scheduled to deploy on April 15.


4. (C) Force Generation:

--Helicopters: The IOT informed USUN MSC that Ethiopia and
Bangladesh were the only two written offers of helicopters
for UNAMID. No other offers are being considered.

-The Ethiopians have formally offered four attack helicopters
and two utility helicopters. DPKO reportedly will accept the
attack helicopters but will reject the utility helicopters
because they lack the capacity to carry out required
missions.
-UN DPKO also intends to reject the Bangladesh-offered
airframes: three Bell 212s and two Bell 206s. According to
DPKO, they only carry 3-5 combat loaded troops and would
therefore not be useful to the mission.


5. (C) Logistics: The IOT reported that while there has
been no written objection to US contractors from the
Government of Sudan (GOS) the GOS has made it clear to UN
officials that they do not want US contractors in Darfur.
The UN will convene a bidding conference in Darfur this month
for companies who wish to compete for this contract. In the
interim the UN will continue utilizing PAE.


6. (C) Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): IOT reported the
SOFA should be signed by Saturday 9 February. However, DPKO
remains concerned over outstanding issues of aviation
movement and notification of ground movement. It was unclear
if the UN Office of Legal Affairs would accept the GOS's
conditions (REFTEL).
KHALILZAD