Cablegate: Codel Payne Visit to Sudan (Aug 9-11)

VZCZCXRO1032
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1151 2140846
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 010846Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1473
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001151

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON, DRL/ILCSR, G/TIP
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN
DOL FOR ILAB

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU
SUBJECT: CODEL PAYNE VISIT TO SUDAN (AUG 9-11)

REF: STATE 82062

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Due to the August 8-15 visit to Sudan of
Presidential Envoy to Sudan Richard Williamson, Post regrets that it
will be unable to fully support the visit by CoDel Payne to Southern
Sudan during reftel timeframe. Unfortunately, the proposed August
9-11 dates for CoDel Payne to US ConGen Juba and Abyei overlap
exactly with the confirmed dates of travel and meetings in Juba and
Abyei of SE Williamson. Post does not have staff or other
resources to support both visits simultaneously. However, Khartoum
would welcome CoDel Payne's visit if proposed dates could be delayed
by 24 hours to an August 10 arrival and August 12 departure.
Otherwise, Post recommends CoDel postpone travel to Sudan to a later
time that does not conflict with another VIP delegation. End
Summary

2. (SBU) US Embassy Khartoum and US ConGen Juba will be hosting a
visit by Presidential Special Envoy Richard Williamson from August 8
to August 15, 2008. SE Williamson, CDA Alberto Fernandez, the
five-person staff of the SE, two embassy Poloffs, and one A/RSO have
confirmed travel to Juba on Saturday, August 9. The delegation will
be staying on the compound of US ConGen Juba on Saturday, August 9,
and traveling to Abyei and Agok by charter plane and UNMIS
helicopter on Sunday, August 10.

3. (SBU) US ConGen Juba operates with extremely limited resources in
a dangerous and unstable environment; accommodating two VIP visits
simultaneously exceeds US ConGen Juba's capacity for assisting
official travel. US ConGen Juba is currently staffed by the Consul
General and Juba RSO and local staff, which will be engaged to the
maximum along with Khartoum TDY assistance to support the SE
delegation. US ConGen Juba does not have enough vehicles to
transport both delegations safely and expeditiously. Post requires
official travelers to spend the night on the US ConGen Juba
compound, and unfortunately the compound also cannot accommodate two
delegations.

4. (SBU) For these reasons, Embassy Sudan must respectfully decline
a visit by CoDel Payne in the August 9-11 timeframe. However,
Khartoum would welcome CoDel Payne's visit if proposed dates can be
moved by 24 hours -i.e. to an August 10 arrival and August 12
departure. This would de-conflict scheduling for the two
delegations. Pls. advise on proposed 24 hour delay in arrival.

FERNANDEZ

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