DEMARCHE RESPONSE ON UNAMID SUPPORT FOR U.S. FIELD

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000190 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION IO AND AF FOR FRONT OFFICE; PLEASE PASS TO SE WILLIAMSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SU MOPS UNSC SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RESPONSE ON UNAMID SUPPORT FOR U.S. FIELD OFFICE DARFUR REF: A. STATE 12727 ¶B. LEVINSON-SMALL EMAILS 02/28/08 ¶1. (SBU) USUN Poloff delivered reftel demarche on February 20 to UN DPKO officials, Max Kerley and Fouzia Abass, requesting UNAMID formalize arrangements for medical assistance and emergency evacuation assistance to the American field officers deployed to Darfur. ¶2. (SBU) On February 28, USUN Poloff contacted the UN Department of Field Support and the Darfur Integrated Operations Team to request follow-up on the initial request. Darfur IOT Director Mike Gaouette responded that the UN DPKO appreciated the assistance provided by the U.S. Field Office in Darfur and is eager to conclude an exchange of letters to formalize emergency support. Gaouette said he would communicate the request to UNAMID Headquarters in Sudan and said AmEmbassy Khartoum should follow up with UNAMID HQ. Gaouette cautioned that UNAMID HQ could take several days to process the request, but that he would communicate the urgency. Gaouette said an official letter from USUN would help him expedite a response from UNAMID. ¶3. (SBU) USUN Poloff drafted a letter detailing the request, cleared it with AF/SPG, and delivered it to IOT director Mike Gaouette on February 28. KHALILZAD