LIBYAN FM'S MEETING IN DOHA WITH SE GRATION

UNCLAS DOHA 000292 SIPDIS, SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM SU QA SUBJECT: LIBYAN FM'S MEETING IN DOHA WITH SE GRATION KEY POINTS: -- Libyan FM Kusa told Special Envoy for Sudan Gration April 29 that he would welcome surveillance monitoring equipment from Western countries to monitor the Chad-Sudan border, but that the people doing the monitoring should be from the area. -- Kusa said the gaps between Sudan and Chad were wide; there would be no quick fixes. -- At SE Gration's request, Kusa said he would phone Khalil Ibrahim and encourage him to return to Doha in early May for further mediation on Darfur. -- SE Gration and Kusa agreed to work together in areas of mutual concern (para. 6). End Key Points. ¶1. (SBU) Libyan FM Musa Kusa told Special Envoy for Sudan Scott Gration April 29 that "Chadians are ready for peace" with Sudan. Of course, the problem along their shared border remains, with each side accusing the other "of doing bad things." Kusa said a neutral observer is needed to monitor border activity. There is a role, he said, for Western countries, especially France and the U.S., to provide surveillance monitoring equipment, "but the people on the ground [monitoring] should be local." ¶2. (SBU) SE Gration agreed on the need for monitoring and noted that he would like to see a 50 percent reduction in force, especially in the number of vehicles, along the border. Kusa responded that mutual reductions by Chad and Sudan in munitions and offensive vehicles along the border would help build confidence, and he observed that Sudan always repeats the same mistake of not implementing the agreements that it signs. The gap between the two parties will take time to diminish; quick fixes are not possible, said Kusa. A solution will take time. ¶3. (SBU) SE Gration stressed that the Justice and Equality Movement's (JEM) support for an interim cease-fire -- especially given indications that JEM is about to mount a new offensive -- is crucial to make progress in resolving Darfur-related disputes, as the Qataris and Libyans are trying to do. To this end, SE Gration asked Kusa for Libya's support in encouraging JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim to travel to Doha in early May for further discussions that could lead to prisoner exchanges and other confidence-building measures. ¶4. (SBU) Kusa agreed to phone Ibrahim that evening, noting that "80 percent of the problems would be solved" if Ibrahim were no longer an obstacle. Kusa added that Libya continues to talk with Sudanese President Bashir in an effort to improve the situation. Noting he was in Doha to help Qatar mediate between Chad and Sudan, Kusa reported that the talks had been delayed because the Sudanese delegation had not yet arrived. ¶5. (SBU) SE Gration thanked Kusa for his willingness to help exert pressure on Ibrahim and pledged to tell Chadian President Deby in their upcoming meeting that the U.S. supports Libyan and Qatari efforts to mediate the disputes between Sudan and Chad. Kusa, in turn, asked SE Gration during his stop in Cairo to press the Egyptians to support Libyan and Qatari mediation efforts. Noting the tensions between Cairo and Doha, Kusa reported that he personally had told Egyptian President Mubarak of the need for "everyone to work together." SE Gration said he would carry the same message to Cairo. ¶6. (SBU) Turning to north-south issues in Sudan, Kusa said Libya remains concerned that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) remains fragile. To shore up the overall environment in Sudan, Kusa made three requests of the U.S. First, help the Government of Chad in reintegrating Chadian rebels. Second, press Khartoum to end support for Chadian rebels. Third, leverage a prisoner release from Khartoum, which would be followed by an interim cease-fire and further dialogue among the Darfur parties on a draft political framework. SE Gration responded that the U.S. shares these goals and would work closely with partners like Libya to achieve them. ¶7. (U) SE Gration has cleared this message. LEBARON