SOUTHERN SUDAN REACTION TO NEW USG STRATEGY ON SUDAN

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001194 NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR SU SUBJECT: SOUTHERN SUDAN REACTION TO NEW USG STRATEGY ON SUDAN ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In the aftermath of the new U.S. policy on Sudan rollout, the reaction of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and other missions in Juba has been very positive. The local daily newspaper, The Citizen, printed the entirety of the strategy on October 20, but on October 21 printed an editorial raising some concern over the possibility of sanctions being lifted. On October 21, U.S. Consulate Juba convoked the diplomatic missions in Juba to brief them on the policy. Reactions were generally positive, and missions called on the U.S. to continue the dialogue with the international community. End Summary. -------------- GOSS Reacts Positively -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On October 20, the GoSS Ministry of Regional Cooperation briefed the diplomatic community on Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) implementation, security situation in the south and GOSS reaction to the new U.S. policy to Sudan (septel on other items). In an October 20th briefing to the diplomatic community, the Minister of Regional Cooperation, Oyai Deng Ajak along with Minister of Internal Affairs Gier Choung Aluong and Minister of Presidential Affairs Luka Biong praised the new U.S. policy on Sudan. Biong explained that the just announced USG strategy would positively influence the National Congress Party (NCP) to ensure implementation of the CPA, including free and fair elections in April 2010. Biong called on all diplomatic missions present to support the USG strategy to ensure its success. He also stated that GOSS President Salva Kiir would be issuing a statement in the coming days in support of the strategy. Privately Biong called the strategy a "masterpiece." -------------- Press More Guarded -------------- ¶3. (U) The Citizen, a local daily newspaper, printed the entire media note issued in conjunction with the strategy, "Sudan: A Critical Moment, A Comprehensive Approach," on October 20. The daily also ran two editorials on the media note, the first on October 20 covering the official Government of National Unity (GNU) response playing-down sanctions and arguing against the use of the word "genocide" to describe the situation in Darfur. The second editorial on October 21 focused on the failure of the strategy to outline specific incentives that will be extended to the NCP, and how sanctions will be strengthened if they fail to comply with CPA implementation. The editorial stated that if the U.S. really wanted the NCP to comply, it needed to engage the UN Security Council and extend sanctions to the international level, binding Arab and African states, as well as China. -------------- Consul General Briefing -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On October 21 the Consul General briefed members of the diplomatic community on the new U.S. policy. The briefing focused primarily on the elements related to Southern Sudan and CPA implementation. CG Rogers explained that the new U.S. policy helps elevate the CPA, calling for an integrated approach; outlines a new more urgent timeline for implementation; and calls for greater rigor in meeting benchmarks and progress on the ground. ¶5. (SBU) The UN Deputy Resident Coordinator praised the strategy and highlighted the need for greater coordination on security sector programs. UK Head of Delegation Vinay Talwar asked for more clarity on how sanctions would be used on Sudan. The Ugandan Ambassador stressed the importance of involving the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD),and stated that IGAD must live-up to its obligations to ensure full-implementation of the CPA. The Eritrean Ambassador noted the continuing fragmentation of the Darfur rebel groups, and asked how the USG plans to "pressure them." Other representatives called on the U.S. to continue to lead this dialogue, particularly in regard to elections/referendum coordination and security sector reform. ¶6. (SBU) The CG explained that the full list of incentives and disincentives was classified; however, sanctions were one tool that remained in the toolkit. She concurred with the need to coordinate closely with IGAD and noted Special Envoy Gration's on-going efforts in that regard. WHITEHEAD