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Cablegate: Senator Biden Meets Refugees and Rebels, Urges

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.


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INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CA-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DODE-00 DOEE-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 FBIE-00
UTED-00 VC-00 FSI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00
LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 M-00 NEA-00 DCP-00 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OIC-00 OMB-00 NIMA-00 PER-00 GIWI-00 PRS-00
P-00 SCT-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00
TRSE-00 FMP-00 SCRS-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00
SAS-00 SWCI-00 /001W
------------------F9B4D7 022012Z /38
FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1716
INFO AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
DARFUR COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USLO TRIPOLI
USMISSION GENEVA

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000884

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/C, AF/SPG, D, DRL, H, INR, INR/GGI,
PRM, USAID/OTI AND USAID/W FOR DAFURRMT; LONDON AND PARIS
FOR AFRICAWATCHERS; GENEVA FOR CAMPBELL,
ADDIS/NAIROBI/KAMPALA FOR REFCOORDS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF KAWC CD SU VIP
SUBJECT: SENATOR BIDEN MEETS REFUGEES AND REBELS, URGES
REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

1. (SBU) Summary: Senator Joseph Biden delivered a strong
message of U.S. support for the resolution of the crisis in
Darfur, tempered by a frank discourse on the USG limitations,
during his visit to Chad from May 31 to June 1. Biden
traveled to Oure Cassoni Refugee Camp near Bahai, where he
met with the refugee committees, visited camp schools, spoke
with women refugees, and was treated to a demonstration in
favor of the U.N. Security Council actions against Sudan and
the importance of education for Sudan's "lost generation".
The visit revealed a high-level of organization among the
Sudanese refugees. The refugees initially focused primarily
on the current camp needs, but also stressed their desire for
U.S. intervention in Darfur. Biden also met with
representatives of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) to
urge them to define their political agenda clearly and
negotiate seriously. He explained to the refugees and to the
rebel movement members the importance of setting realistic
goals and expectations of how to achieve them. End Summary.

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2. (SBU) Senator Joseph Biden and his staff traveled to Chad
to assess the current situation of the 200,000 Sudanese
refugees, speak with the African Union's Cease-fire
Commission's officers, and hear about the impact of the
refugee crisis from local Chadian representatives.
Ambassador Wall, P/E officer, and Defense Attache accompanied
Senator Biden and staff members Antony Blinken, Heather
Flynn, and Margaret Aiken to Oure Cassoni Refugee Camp
outside Bahai, Chad on May 31. The Prefect and Sultan of
Bahai welcomed Biden upon arrival and asked that the
international community not forget the sacrifice of the local
population. Biden promised to make every effort to ensure
that local Chadians were not left worse off after the
refugees depart. Oure Cassoni Refugee Camp host some 29,000
Sudanese refugees and is the northern-most camp in Chad. The
camp is considered temporary because it is too close to the
border with Sudan, but efforts to relocate it were hampered
initially by problems finding another site with water and now
political discussions within the government as to the new
location.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
AFRICAN UNION: DARFUR VIOLENCE ONGOING
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3. (SBU) Ghanaian Col. Ansu, the deputy commander of the
African Union Cease-fire Commission sector at Tine, Sudan
briefed the delegation at the airstrip in Bahai. Col. Ansu
said the despite all the AU's efforts to date, the situation
in Darfur "has given way to chaos and danger". The AU
monitors come across residents living under trees because
they fear attack or had already been attacked. Ansu wondered
where these people are going to sleep once the rains begin.
He said in other peacekeeping operations, victimized
civilians normally gravitate toward the peacekeepers, but in
Darfur, the AU forces do not have a protection mandate and
lack credibility with the local population. For example,
when the AU investigates a situation, villagers do not trust
that the monitors can protect them from jandjaweed or
Government of Sudan reprisals if they speak to the AU.
Moreover, the GOS regularly prevents the AU from
investigating complaints against it or the jandjaweed. As a
result, by the time the AU can get to the location of an
alleged GOS or jandjaweed violation, it is too late. On the
contrary, violations by the rebel movements get immediate
attention. Ansu showed the delegation graphic pictures of
recent victims of GOS-jandjaweed attacks, including rape
victims.

4. (SBU) Biden asked what the AU needs to boost its
capabilities. Ansu told Biden that the AU's mobility needs
to be improved so that violations can be immediately
investigated. Ansu noted that the AU Peace and Security
Council agreed to expand the AU CFC mandate to protect people
from attack or who have been attacked. The AU force needs to
be increased to at least 6,000, requires helicopters,
including gunships, armored personnel carriers,
communications equipment, and medical support. He noted that
in his previous peacekeeping experiences, APC's were used to
gather up victims and people seeking protection from attack.


Currently, the AU has no means to move victims and potential
victims out of danger. Ansu also stated that accurate maps
and a stronger intelligence network is needed to carry out
operations in a desert environment.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REFUGEE COMMITTEE: ON MESSAGE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

5. (SBU) Upon arrival to Oure Cassoni Refugee Camp, Senator
Biden met with the refugee committees. The meeting was very
organized by refugee leaders, who also put their demands in
writing. Their demands included education for children of
all ages, better pay for teachers, more supplies for the
health center, a wider variety of foodstuffs, vocational
training for women, and a resumption of an internal refugee
policing program, which was discontinued last year.

6. (SBU) Senator Biden probed the refugees for their
thoughts on what is required for them to return to Sudan.
They told Biden that they are isolated and have lost all of
their possessions. The refugees unanimously agreed that
peace and security must be assured. In their view, the
following steps are necessary to make it possible to return
to Sudan. First, the jandjaweed and Sudanese soldiers must
be "vacated" from the area. Their weapons must be taken away
from them. Second, village infrastructures must be rebuilt.
Third, the GOS must compensate the refugees for everything
that they have lost. Finally, the refugees raised the issue
of emissaries from the GOS trying to carry out
"reconciliation". The refugees stated that "they do not
know" these traditional leaders and want them to stop what
they are doing. (Note: This is a reference to
"reconciliation" committees established by the GOS and
traditional authorities in late 2004 to settle conflicts over
land, cattle and camel theft, and local disputes on the
border between Chad and Sudan. However, the refugees view
them as GOS-sanctioned provocateurs. End Note.) The leader
of the women's refugee committee added that all war criminals
should pay for what they did at the war crimes tribunal in
Arusha, Tanzania.

7. (SBU) The refugees burst into applause several times in
support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1593 and U.S.
efforts on behalf of Darfur. They stated that only U.S. and
European troops can resolve the security situation in Darfur.
Biden urged the refugees to be realistic in outlining their
demands and describing what it is that they need after
security is restored. He then outlined U.S. efforts to date,
including $500 billion in assistance on the Darfur issue,
leading the diplomatic community in putting pressure on
Khartoum, and logistical support for African Union forces.
Biden continued to explain the political realities of
committing U.S. troops to Darfur and what the refugees could
realistically expect the U.S. to provide. He asked them to
be clear on what they want and need from a political
settlement because the leaders in the U.S. must justify their
policies to the American taxpayer. It is important for
legislators to be able to demonstrate that the situation can
be resolved and explain the best options. Biden assured the
refugees that he would continue to work for a resolution to
the Darfur crisis, including his continued advocacy for a
high-level special envoy to play the role that former Senator
John Danforth played in brokering the North-South agreement.

- - - - - - -
SCHOOL VISIT
- - - - - - -

8. (SBU) Biden visited with children in one of the camp's
school blocks. Over 7,500 children are attending classes in
101 tents. There are two shifts, one in the morning and one
in the afternoon due to the limited classroom space. He
urged them to take school seriously because it is the key to
their future and the future of Sudan. The children in school
zone A had organized a demonstration, complete with signs and
chants in support of more education, the United Nations
Security Council, and the United States.


- - - - - - - -
WOMEN'S VOICES
- - - - - - - -

9. (SBU) A group of women refugees were assembled to speak
with Senator Biden on a range of issues. Biden told the
refugees of his interest in issues that affect women, ranging
from family issues to protection and gender-based violence.
He told them about his effort to provide legislation that
would enhance protection of women and children in refugee
camps. The women repeated earlier messages from the refugee
committee meeting and focused on their immediate needs, such
as education, income-generating activities, a variety of food
sources, and a resumption of the internal camp security
provided by the refugees. Biden asked what types of security
problems are present in the camp. The refugees said that the
absence of this refugee security team meant that fights
between women and others between children cannot be
controlled. They did not raise issues of rape or sexual
violence in the camp.

- - - - - - -
REBEL AGENDA
- - - - - - -

10. (SBU) In N'Djamena, Senator Biden met with
representatives of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by
Bahar Arabie. Biden asked Bahar to outline the situation in
Darfur, SLM's objectives, and how the various tribes in
Darfur identify themselves as Arab or African. Bahar thanked
Biden for the support the U.S. is providing the people of
Darfur, noting that Americans are responsible for 70 to 80
percent of the assistance. He said that the SLM's
declaration of principles include an autonomous status for
Darfur and a transitional period similar to that in the
North-South agreement. According to Bahar, SLM has not
discussed details such as the number of portfolios in the
government because 28 percent of them have been given to the
South. This means that the Darfur groups will need to
discuss these issues with representatives from both the north
and the south. The jandjaweed must be controlled and an
alternative court must be established to try war criminals.
Arabie stated that it would not be easy for SLM to get key
members to Abuja for a June 10 resumption of the talks.
However, SLM would try and also plans to keep the size of its
delegations to about 20 or 30 representatives.

11. (SBU) Biden asked Arabie if the rebel movement is
united. Bahar stated that SLM has its internal differences
and must have a conference to select its representatives,
chief negotiator, and a technical committee to implement
decisions. However, Bahar assured Senator Biden that SLM
will present a united front at the talks in Abuja. Bahar
said the movement is concerned that the AU's mandate is too
restrictive and there are not enough troops on the ground.
He welcomed U.S. and NATO assistance to provide logistics and
personnel to strengthen the AU. Bahar told Biden that 10,000
troops are needed due to Darfur's large size. Bahar also
asked if SLM could visit the U.S. and make its case to the
U.S. Congress.

12. (SBU) Senator Biden offered his assistance on this
front, but urged the SLM to develop a clear message, select a
few articulate individuals, and develop an organized
presentation. He explained that many members of the U.S.
Congress view Darfur as a humanitarian tragedy and are
motivated to assist and seek a resolution. However, in order
to get Congress and the American public to commit more
resources to Darfur, including NATO support, it is critical
that the movement is organized and clear about its
objectives, including what a victory in Darfur looks like.
Senator Biden told Bahar that SLM needs to define the next
steps after the killing is stopped. Biden advised that SLM
get together and work on these issues. He recommended that,
when they are ready, they should work through the Embassy to
contact his staff. He offered to send a staff member back to
help SLM with its presentation for members of Congress. Biden
described what the Congress realistically can do on Darfur
and his own advocacy on the issue, particularly his support


for NATO logistics support for the AU and a high level U.S.
envoy for Darfur.

- - - -
COMMENT
- - - -

13. (SBU) The assurances of continued U.S. interest and
advocacy on Darfur, tempered by a realistic view of the
limitations on U.S. support, were important messages to
convey to the refugees and the rebel movement. UNHCR and its
implementing partners are reporting a positive impression
from the visit in the camp, especially as a result of Senator
Biden's willingness to spend over three hours listening and
talking to the refugees. Due to its proximity to the border,
Oure Cassoni's refugee population is clearly more politicized
than in the other camps. They demonstrated a high level of
organization and political savvy, and most refugees we spoke
with were definitely "on message". We note that the African
Union helicopter was an essential part of the delegation's
travel, since the road between Bahai and Oure Cassoni was
covered by blowing sand. Post greatly appreciates the
efforts of the African Union's Mission in Sudan and
Cease-fire Commission authorities on behalf of the U.S.
delegations.

14. (U) Senator Biden did not have a chance to clear this
message prior to departure.

15. (U) Khartoum and Tripoli Minimize Considered.
WALL


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