Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA2125
2009-09-01 16:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
ETHIOPIA ALLAYS SOUTH SUDANESE ANGST ABOUT
how-toVZCZCXRO6215 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHDS #2125 2441613 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 011613Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6063 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002125
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV SU ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA ALLAYS SOUTH SUDANESE ANGST ABOUT
PERCEIVED U.S. SHIFT
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael C. Gonzales for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002125
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV SU ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA ALLAYS SOUTH SUDANESE ANGST ABOUT
PERCEIVED U.S. SHIFT
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael C. Gonzales for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Just one week after U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan
Gration witnessed the signing of a new protocol between North
and South Sudan to accelerate implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),a South Sudanese
minister (NFI) expressed angst to Ethiopian Minister and
State Minister for Foreign Affairs that the U.S. may be
shifting its orientation away from Juba. In an August 26
courtesy call by the Charge, State Minister for Foreign
Affairs Dr. Tekeda Alemu reported that he had just concluded
a meeting with a delegation from Juba and the delegation was
to meet Foreign Minister Seyoum later that afternoon.
2. (C) Tekeda assessed that the Government of South Sudan has
long depended on very strong U.S. support and now that they
see that support becoming "wobbly," they are concerned.
Speaking for the Ethiopian Government (GoE),Tekeda stated
that "we like what we see" with regard to the recent U.S.
stance vis-a-vis North and South Sudan, noting the United
States' previous approach was "too off center." Tekeda noted
that he had tried to allay South Sudan's concerns by arguing
to the visiting minister that a separation between North and
South is "inevitable," so it will be useful for the U.S. and
National Congress Party (NCP) to have a relationship "so
Washington can restrain Khartoum" in the future. Tekeda
suggested that this argument helped relieve some of the
delegation's fears.
3. (C) Tekeda informed the Charge that he had also discussed
internal problems within the Sudanese People's Liberation
Movement (SPLM),noting "I told them not to be too surprised
if their friends are concerned about intra-south dynamics."
Tekeda did note that the SPLM had conducted a large meeting
in May 2009 which did see some progress. He also expressed
encouragement that the SPLM is posed to embark on disarmament
efforts.
4. (C) Tekeda closed the conversation by advising that "the
problem in Sudan is not only with one side. So, as the
United States shifts, you must be careful not to go
overboard."
MEECE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV SU ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA ALLAYS SOUTH SUDANESE ANGST ABOUT
PERCEIVED U.S. SHIFT
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael C. Gonzales for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Just one week after U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan
Gration witnessed the signing of a new protocol between North
and South Sudan to accelerate implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),a South Sudanese
minister (NFI) expressed angst to Ethiopian Minister and
State Minister for Foreign Affairs that the U.S. may be
shifting its orientation away from Juba. In an August 26
courtesy call by the Charge, State Minister for Foreign
Affairs Dr. Tekeda Alemu reported that he had just concluded
a meeting with a delegation from Juba and the delegation was
to meet Foreign Minister Seyoum later that afternoon.
2. (C) Tekeda assessed that the Government of South Sudan has
long depended on very strong U.S. support and now that they
see that support becoming "wobbly," they are concerned.
Speaking for the Ethiopian Government (GoE),Tekeda stated
that "we like what we see" with regard to the recent U.S.
stance vis-a-vis North and South Sudan, noting the United
States' previous approach was "too off center." Tekeda noted
that he had tried to allay South Sudan's concerns by arguing
to the visiting minister that a separation between North and
South is "inevitable," so it will be useful for the U.S. and
National Congress Party (NCP) to have a relationship "so
Washington can restrain Khartoum" in the future. Tekeda
suggested that this argument helped relieve some of the
delegation's fears.
3. (C) Tekeda informed the Charge that he had also discussed
internal problems within the Sudanese People's Liberation
Movement (SPLM),noting "I told them not to be too surprised
if their friends are concerned about intra-south dynamics."
Tekeda did note that the SPLM had conducted a large meeting
in May 2009 which did see some progress. He also expressed
encouragement that the SPLM is posed to embark on disarmament
efforts.
4. (C) Tekeda closed the conversation by advising that "the
problem in Sudan is not only with one side. So, as the
United States shifts, you must be careful not to go
overboard."
MEECE