AU SUMMIT: UNSYG FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS LEROY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000186 SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY (DELETED THE CLASSIFIED BY STATEMENT AND CHANGE PARAGRAPH NUMBERS WITHIN THIS MESSAGE) STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/C, AF/E, S-USSE, AND IO/UNP PARIS FOR WBAIN LONDON FOR PLORD NSC FOR MGAVIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MARR AU SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT: UNSYG FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS LEROY ASKS FOR HELP WITH MINURCAT ADDIS ABAB 00000186 001.2 OF 002 This message was sent by USAU Ambassador Michael A. Battle. ¶1. (U) January 30, 2009; 1:30 p.m.; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ¶2. (U) Participants: U.S.: Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson USAU Ambassador Michael Battle AU Desk Officer Ryan Bowles Special Assistant Samantha Lasry (AF Notetaker) United Nations: Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain LeRoy ¶3. (SBU) Summary: Bureau for African Affairs Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson met with United Nations Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations (U-SYG) Alain LeRoy on the margins of the African Union (AU) Summit. The two discussed the future of MINURCAT in Chad, and North-South relations in Sudan. The Assistant Secretary asserted the need for a wider array of political and monetary support for AMISOM in Somalia. End Summary. Chad-MINURCAT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain LeRoy expressed his concern over the future role of MINURCAT in Chad. He stated the Chadian government wants MINURCAT completely phased out of the country by March 15, 2010, but thinks it is politically infeasible to leave by that date. Assistant Secretary Carson agreed and said that we must try and push back the exit date to March 2011 because of the elections and referendum in Sudan, and potential South Sudan independence. A/S Carson suggested speaking with Chadian FM Faki and possibly altering the MINURCAT mandate to allow a more robust defense of the Chad/Sudan border. U-SYG LeRoy noted he was open to suggestions and requested that A/S Carson and Special Envoy for Sudan Scott Gration discuss prolonging the deployment of MINURCAT with the Chadians. A/S Carson said he will talk to Faki, and he reaffirmed MINURCAT's importance as a stabilizing mechanism. Sudan -------------- ¶5. (SBU) A/S Carson noted the complexity of the referendum process, highlighting the possibility for political turmoil and an escalation of violence in South Sudan. He said that if a resurgence of the conflict occurs, it will be different from the two previous conflicts in the region and the North will use more sophisticated methods this time. U-SYG LeRoy concurred, noting the South has little capacity, especially in terms of security and resources. He stated UN mission in the South must be more agile and mobile, and must prepare contingency plans. He also noted the difficulty of preventing the flow of arms into South Sudan. A/S Carson agreed, noting that North Sudan could send weapons and money to the South to keep the region destabilized should there be a resurgence of violence. The U-SYG inquired about former President Thabo Mbeki's role in Sudan, and particularly the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. A/S Carson underscored Mbeki's importance, noting he must be a part of the solution. LeRoy concurred and noted Haile Menkerios, the new UN envoy, could be used to bring in Mbeki. Somalia -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Turning to Somalia, A/S Carson reiterated USG commitment to the Djibouti Peace Process, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG),and President Sheikh Sharif. He noted our desire for greater African and Arab support in Somalia, particularly in terms of monetary, political and troop contributions. The U-SYG stressed the importance and need for AU payment of AMISOM troop salaries to be raised to the UN standard. A/S Carson agreed, and noted the need for ADDIS ABAB 00000186 002.2 OF 002 the TFG to demonstrate substantial progress in the political and security sector arena. He stated Sheikh Sharif must have more support from AMISOM. U-SYG LeRoy inquired as to what countries could provide more support. A/S Carson underscored Ugandan President Museveni's troop contribution, but noted if South Sudan wins independence, Museveni will reconsider. He suggested Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana as countries that could possibly provide more resources to AMISOM. ¶7. (U) A/S Carson as approved this cable. YATES