Cablegate: Sudan: No Progress On Nec Containers

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKH #2924 3650614
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 310614Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5682

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002924

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

For OBO - General Williams from Charge Hume
Also for AF/SPG, AF/RSA, and AF/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OFDP ABLD AMGT ASEC US SU
SUBJECT: Sudan: No Progress on NEC Containers

Ref: a) Khartoum 02893, b) Khartoum 02794

1. (SBU) During a December 27 meeting with MFA Director of Americas
Badawi al-Sanosi, Pol/Econ Counselor raised the matter of the
detained containers pertaining to the New Embassy Compound (NEC), as
in reftels.

2. (SBU) Al-Sanosi responded that he had tried several times to
obtain an update from State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Ali
Karti, but had not been able to meet with him. As such, he had no
news to offer, but expressed hopes that there might be a "gift
coming by New Year."

3. (U) On December 27, the Sudan Vision Daily, a
government-affiliated daily, published an interview with Charge Hume
that included the following closing exchange:

(Begin text)

Q: U.S. Embassy will build its premises for the consulate in Juba.
What are your plans for your embassy here in Khartoum, you are not
planning to have a big Embassy in Khartoum like many U.S. Embassies
worldwide?

A: No, we are trying to build an Embassy here in Khartoum with a
value of over $100 million, but, your government, contrary to the
Vienna Convention, has delayed the release of supplies, putting the
entire project at risk. If this project is cancelled, I am sure
that that cancellation will draw a large, unfavorable notice in the
U.S. Through this interview, I urge the Sudanese government to meet
its obligations under the Vienna Convention and release those
supplies.

(End text)

HUME

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