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Cablegate: Ec's Barroso Pushes for a Un Force in Bashir Meeting

VZCZCXRO6683
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2419 2751420
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021420Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4820
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002419

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KPKO KPAO UN EU SU
SUBJECT: EC'S BARROSO PUSHES FOR A UN FORCE IN BASHIR MEETING

REF: KHARTOUM 02341

1. (SBU) EC President Jose Manuel Barroso departed Sudan on the
evening of October 1 after two days of visits in Khartoum and El
Fasher. Barroso met with President Bashir for two hours on
September 30, including a half hour one-on-one session; however, EC
contacts reported Bashir did not budge on his rejection of UNSCR
1706 and a UN PKO. Barroso reiterated the international community's
commitment to UNSCR 1706, but also encouraged Bashir to show some
flexibility and consider a possible third way. In comments to the
press which were confirmed to Poloff through EC counterparts on
October 2, though Bashir appeared intransigent on the issue of UN
intervention, he agreed with Barroso that the current situation in
Darfur is deteriorating and a continuation of the status quo is not
tenable. Bashir also expressed concern at Sudan's increasing
isolation, though he did not offer any new solutions.

2. (U) Following the Khartoum visit, Barroso traveled to El Fasher,
where he met with AU Force Commander Aprezi, the Wali of North
Darfur, and AU Deputy Head of Mission Gibril. Barroso was
accompanied by European Commissioner for Development and
Humanitarian Aid Luis Michel. According to EC contacts, the visit
largely was intended to be symbolic to demonstrate continued
international concern with the deteriorating situation in Darfur.
Barroso used the occasion to announce 40 million euros of new
humanitarian aid. Barroso further pledged an additional 40 million
euros of Dutch aid for reconstruction projects. These
reconstruction funds were to have been announced at the October
pledging conference, which has been postponed. The pledge was made
contingent on the security situation permitting the projects to move
forward.

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3. (SBU) From Sudan, Barroso traveled to Addis Ababa for meetings at
the AU. Barroso indicated he would speak to Konare about finding a
third way through an AU-UN force mix. His impression was Bashir
ultimately would be amenable to this, but believed high-level
discussion between the AU, U.S., UK, and other European partners was
necessary to reach a consensus position.


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