SE Gration Meeting with JSR to UNAMID Gambari

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000266

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SE GRATION, S/USSES, AF A/S CARSON, AF/E
DEPT FOR AF/PDPA, IIP/G/AF, RRU-AF
DEPT FOR DRL/RSPRING
DEPT FOR USAID APR/SUDAN
NSC FOR MGAVIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PTER ET
SUBJECT: SE Gration Meeting with JSR to UNAMID Gambari

ADDIS ABAB 00000266 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) SUMMARY. U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration met
with Joint Special Representative of the African Union-United
Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID),Ibrahim Gambari on
January 30 to share observations and discuss priorities for UNAMID.
The conversation covered the core mandate of UNAMID, Chad-Sudan
relations, security issues and upcoming elections. Both SE Gration
and JSR/UNAMID Gambari agreed that UNAMID action is urgent, with a
narrow window to make an impact before the spotlight shifts to
elections and referendum concerns. Gambari inquired how the USG can
assist UNAMID in the security sector. The meeting revealed
agreement on key priorities in Sudan but slight differences of focus
for the main challenges. Gration and Gambari further resolved to
work in concert with each other and European partners to support
stability and a cessation of violence in Darfur and the region. END
SUMMARY.



2. (U) Participants:
U.S.:
Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration
Office of U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Cameron Hudson
Office of U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Miriam Estrin
U.S. Embassy Deputy Political and Economic Counselor Kathryn
Pongonis
U.S. Embassy Third Secretary Stephanie Reed (note taker)


UNAMID:
Joint Special Representative to UNAMID, Ibrahim Gambari


GAMBARI'S INITIAL OBSERVATIONS AND FOCAL POINTS
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3. (SBU) JSR/UNAMID Gambari first shared his initial, frank
impressions of the UNAMID mission. Since the execution of
quick-impact goodwill projects, Gambari said he has noticed an
increased Sudanese perception that UNAMID is a useful partner. As
UNAMID shifts from deployment to a substantive action phase, Gambari
hopes to broaden the tripartite mechanism. He has high expectations
for the mission but underscored that success depends on high support
levels.



4. (SBU) Gambari also shared his personal priorities for UNAMID -
citing the peace process, security and Chad-Sudan relations as his
top concerns. He vocalized his goal of UNAMID becoming a positive
force in moving the peace process forward. Gambari expressed his
plan for clear objectives instead of an open-ended process.
Furthermore, Gambari said he hoped for concrete accomplishments
before the attention shifted to the upcoming election and South
Sudan referendum.



5. (SBU) Gambari also highlighted security as a top concern. He
linked security to the goal of voluntary returns of internally
displaced persons (IDPs). Gambari further mentioned unease at the
security situation in IDP camps. He advanced the idea of
development, particularly provision of basic services, as an
integral component of alleviating security risks.



6. (SBU) A pet priority of Gambari is the amelioration of Chad-Sudan
relations. While acknowledging the agreement to normalize
Chad-Sudan relations, he expressed ongoing concern at breaches of
the agreement. Gambari believed that resolution of this component
of the Darfur peace process might improve 40 percent of problems in
the region.



7. (SBU) Wrapping up his initial assessment, JSR/UNAMID Gambari
conveyed a desire to increase collaboration with SE to Sudan as well
as P-5 and EU envoys. Gambari described himself as the Special
Envoy's "servant," noting that he acted as hands on the ground for
all engaged parties. Speaking of cooperation, JSR/UNAMID inquired
about the USG perspective on the Doha process as well as USG
security contributions to UNAMID.


GRATION CLARIFIES USG PRIORITIES

ADDIS ABAB 00000266 002.2 OF 002


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8. (SBU) SE Gration concurred with Gambari's focal points, but
highlighted local security as a critical USG concern. Gration noted
the positive trend in Chad-Sudan relations, contrasting this
situation to ongoing violence and instability in the IDP camps.
Noting a need for a greater police presence, Gration suggested
recruiting IDP camp residents for the police force, including women.
He informed JSR/UNAMID Gambari of his talks with the Ministry of
Justice about a complementary police force. SE Gration also raised
the issues of gender-based violence and justice as cardinal pieces
of the Darfur puzzle.


"WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FAIL"
--------------

9. (SBU) JSR/UNAMID supported the idea of enhancing local security
to facilitate the return of IDPs. He identified agreement on what
needed to be done and a desire to make a difference. He agreed with
the need for additional police, but noted a need for training
equipment. Gration remarked that he could assist Gambari with
locating resources, noting that he could link UNAMID with European
partners.


IMPENDING ELECTIONS
--------------

10. (SBU) Gambari also concurred with SE Gration that UNAMID must be
proactive in the run-up to the elections. He and Gration discussed
the critical importance of the elections and broad voter
participation. Gration elaborated that the elections would serve as
a practice for the referendum. Gambari agreed, but clarified that
Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios
would focus on the larger political issues in Sudan. (Note: UN
Secretary General Moon announced his intention to appoint Menkerios
as the new head of the UN Mission in Sudan. End note.) Gambari
proclaimed that on a personal level he viewed the various Sudan
challenges as an issue of broad democratic transformation across the
entire country.



11. (U). SE Gration cleared this message.


YATES