Cablegate: African Union Summit: Sudan Attendence

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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKH #0093 0230717
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADX501B70 MSI2126-623)
P 230717Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9761
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000093

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (MISSING TEXT)

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, AF SE WILLIAMSON
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN
DEPT FOR AF/RSA JOHN KELLEY

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSUM PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU XA
SUBJECT: AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT: SUDAN ATTENDENCE

REFERENCE: (A) STATE 5670
(B) KHARTOUM 0045

1. (SBU) (SBU) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed post
that Foreign Minister Deng Alor will attend the AU Summit, most
likely on January 28 and 29. Though he has not yet requested a
meeting, post suggests that A/S Frazer meet with FM Deng Alor, who
was just sworn in as Foreign Minister earlier this month. Post does
not know where FM Deng will stay while in Addis but will find out.

2. (SBU) Local press reports January 22 indicated that Sudan may
again present its candidacy for the Presidency of the AU. This was
vociferously denied by Presidential Advisor Mustafa Othman Ismail
recently to PDAS Thomas-Greenfield (ref B). MFA Americas Desk
Director Sanusi told us January 22 that he had heard President
Bashir might attend. If President Bashir does not attend, the GOS
will likely send other high-level NCP members of the government to
the AU summit, if in fact Sudan does intend to present itself as a
candidate for the AU Presidency. As in the past, Sudan will likely
not finalize its delegation until the last minute.

FERNANDEZ

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