DOHA DARFUR TALKS SITREP FIVE (EU, JAPAN)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000357

SENSITIVE

FOR AF/SPG AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SU EG QA ER JA EUN
SUBJECT: DOHA DARFUR TALKS SITREP FIVE (EU, JAPAN)

--------------
(SBU) KEY POINTS
--------------

-- EU Envoy for Sudan Torben Brylle emphasized the central
importance of CPA success and the need for medium-term development
planning during a meeting with SE Gration 27 May.

-- Brylle described the EU as pragmatic on contact with Bashir,
encouraged taking Egypt's interests into account on Sudan, and
worried Eritrea could be a trouble-maker in the east. He also
offered EU contacts and advice to facilitate a trip by SE Gration to
eastern Sudan.

-- Separately, Japanese Envoy for Sudan Amb. Keitaro Sato offered
his full support to SE Gration and described Japan's USD 30 million
contribution to a Sudan unity fund and separate funding of a
vocational training center in south Sudan.

End Key Points.

EU Focused on Challenges of CPA Success
--------------


1. (SBU) During a May 27 meeting, EU Envoy on Sudan Torben Brylle
commended SE Gration's comprehensive focus on Sudan, noting the CPA
is "the real big thing" and Darfur can be a distraction. SE Gration
responded that he would welcome EU participation in the June 23
Washington Forum on Sudan, particularly as there are both implied
and overt requirements for the EU in the CPA. Brylle agreed with
this characterization and mentioned the EU's own June 8-9 conference
which will proceed in two steps: giving a platform to Sudan experts
and then bringing in political decision-makers. Brylle said
expanding an understanding of CPA issues will show to all parties
the unattractiveness of separation - a North and South Sudan would
still be neighbors and share many issues, necessitating coexistence
under any situation.


2. (SBU) Brylle feared the international community is facing today a
far graver situation than anticipated when the CPA was signed. The
decline in the oil price is hurting Sudan badly, the SPLM is facing
political challenges and often taking decisions outside of unity
mechanisms, and there is a political-security meltdown in the south.
Brylle emphasized the need to plan for the medium-term, as there
are currently no development instruments in place. He criticized
the international community for trying to use conventional concepts
for unconventional situations in Sudan.

EU Pragmatic on Bashir Contacts
--------------


3. (SBU) Asked by SE Gration for his advice on approaching Bashir,
Brylle said the EU does not itself have precise guidelines on
meetings with the Sudanese President. EU members can have contact
with Bashir on a case-by-case basis - but it can't be just for tea;
real peace and security issues must be at stake. Brylle offered no
recipe but said certain political issues are of such a critical
nature as to require contact with Bashir. He reiterated that for
the EU the ICC is important on principle, though he does not expect
the ICC prosecutors to continue issuing indictments for VP Taha or
others.


4. (SBU) Brylle commended SE Gration's efforts to consult Egypt on
Sudan, noting Cairo has interests that should be respected. At the
same time, Egypt must be taken out of its political and
psychological opposition to Qatar. Brylle also lauded SE Gration's
efforts to get concessions from the Sudanese government on
NGO/humanitarian access to Darfur.

EU Concern Over Eritrea's Role and Eastern Sudan
-------------- --------------


5. (SBU) Brylle noted he was surprised none of the Envoys mentioned
Eritrea during the plenary meeting as Asmara could be a
trouble-maker on Sudan. The Eritreans have "profound knowledge" of
the situation in Sudan, according to Brylle, and some of President
Isaias's key ministers and advisors are involved in Sudan issues.
SE Gration responded that the USG may need EU help on positively
engaging Eritrea on Sudan.


6. (SBU) Brylle continued that he has good contacts in eastern Sudan
and he recommended SE Gration visit the area early as "it's the next
show in town." Brylle offered to recommend key experts and contacts
in eastern Sudan to help prepare and guide a Gration visit.

EU Ready to Assist with Elections, Other Areas
-------------- --


7. (SBU) Brylle passed SE Gration a recent EU statement on Sudan
elections and recommended this as a very useful area to work
together with the USG - to set up standards and proper
implementation for the elections. Brylle believed ongoing issues of
disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation will be critical and
must be related to broader peace efforts.

8. (SBU) Brylle said he had talked to JEM in Doha a week earlier and
the leaders seemed less belligerent. However, once the mediators
get through the prisoners and ceasefire deadlock, there will be a
multitude of issues to address. On compensation, Brylle agreed with
SE Gration's concern that it is no good to just throw cash at
people, and others forms of payment are needed.

Japan Offers Support and Money for U.S. Efforts
-------------- ---


9. (SBU) In a separate May 27 meeting, Japanese Envoy for Sudan Amb.
Keitaro Sato also noted the CPA is probably more important overall
than Darfur, as a civil war is a high possibility without success of
the agreement. Sato noted Japan was ready to give USD 30 million
for a unity fund. (Note: As described by a Japanese embassy officer
later, the GOJ would cancel USD 30 million of GOS debt which would
then be deposited into a unity fund in support of peace-building
activities). Sato also noted that Japan had recently started direct
grant aid to south Sudan, and would be funding a vocational training
center.


10. (SBU) Sato reiterated that the Japanese government wanted to
take advantage of SE Gration's appointment and efforts to do
something positive on Sudan. He expressed willingness to go
"hand-in-hand" with SE Gration and follow his lead on peace efforts.



11. (U) SE Gration's delegation has cleared this cable.

LEBARON