SUDAN: TIMOTHY SHORTLEY'S 16 NOVEMBER VISIT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001650 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2019 TAGS: PREL EUN XW SU SUBJECT: SUDAN: TIMOTHY SHORTLEY'S 16 NOVEMBER VISIT TO BRUSSELS Classified By: USEU/POL MC Christopher Davis for reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On Monday, November 16,lp with development, giveratified the Cotonou AQ fourth waQd elements for successful CPA implementation: census/elections, the referendum, a national security law, the Abyei Referendum, and popular consultations. He also expressed concern that there was no unified approach among donors to react to conflict. ¶5. (C) Lastly, Shortley discussed the rebel unification effort, saying there was likely to be a Darfur conference in Darfur in the coming months. The conference is supported by the United States, the Dutch and the Swiss. He asked if Sweden might be able to provide some support bilaterally (not in its capacity as the EU Presidency) to make the conference a success. Ndisi responded positively and said he would pass the request to Stockholm. ¶6. (C) Shortley then met with EUSR Brylle and his political advisor Catherine Uttenthal. Shortley informed Brylle that SE Gration would be in Khartoum, Abyei, and Darfur November 16-23, where he would press the Sudanese on the CPA package. A key issue for the NCP is the criteria for determining Abyei residence, as this has implications for who can vote in the Abyei referendum. ¶7. (SBU) Brylle said EU High Representative Solana would meet First VP and President of the Government of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit in Brussels that day. (NOTE: According to a press release from Solana's cabinet, the two discussed the urgent need to complete the implementation of the CPA. Solana underlined the EU's commitment to the CPA in its entirety. Kiir said that considerable international support is needed to address the huge development deficit. The recent "compact" agreed between the South and major donors provided a model, with the government accepting obligations on governance, accountability and anti-corruption and with donors committing to financial and technical assistance. END NOTE) ¶8. (C) Brylle noted, as had the Swedes earlier, that Sudan's failure to ratify the Contonou Agreement, because of the ICC clause, put the European Commission in a difficult position, since lack of ratification made it hard to access the European Development Fund for ACP countries. He added that security was worsening in the south. Brylle said the Egyptians were just recently in Brussels and they left a non-paper which he offered to scan and send to Shortley, along with a notation of the comment they made verbally on the idea of postponing the referendum. Brylle said the Egyptians want Sudanese unity, and they have some Nile Basin issues. Meanwhile, delegates from Kenya, Uganda, and Eritrea meeting in Sharm el Sheik were convinced the South would vote for separation. Since the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is not going to negotiate on the referendum, it is BRUSSELS 00001650 002 OF 002 essential that there be "constructive discussions" on how the southern leaders see 2011. "Peaceful co-existence requires that," noted Brylle. ¶9. (C) Brylle concurred with Shortley about the April 2010 elections, despite problems seen in other elections in Gaza, Beirut, and Afghanistan. Brylle opined that political engineering might get it right, adding that, even though the National Congress Party (NCP) has been very disciplined under ICC pressure, it does not mean there will not be a paradigm shift. Brylle said the Commission would establish terms of reference on an EU election observer mission "later this week," and that there would be a Commission "exploratory mission" to Sudan Dec. 5-16, with its report due out in January, which is too late to correct these flaws. Shortley suggested they meet with the Carter Center people there. KENNARD