US embassy cable - 05PARIS6887

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 006887 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015 
TAGS: EAID, PGOV, PREF, PREL, PHUM, KAWC, PINR, SU, CD, FR 
SUBJECT: FRENCH ILL AT EASE ON DARFUR, CHAD, AND THE 
AFRICAN UNION 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 182626 B. NDJAMENA 01487 
 
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt. Reaso 
 
ns 1.4b,d 
 
1.  (SBU) DAS-Equivalent Helene Le Gal and Sudan Desk Officer 
Jeremie Robert singled out recent violence in Darfur, 
cross-border attacks into Chad by militia with possible 
government backing, African Union representative Kingibe's 
strong criticism of Khartoum, and Chad's rebuke to Sudanese 
authorities as deeply troubling developments, during an 
October 4 meeting with Africa Watcher and visiting France 
Desk Officer Susan Ball.  The Government of Chad had convoked 
the French ambassador October 3 -- Le Gal said he is now 
being called in almost daily by the MFA -- to express grave 
displeasure at Sudanese actions. 
 
2.  (SBU) Robert described Chad's shutting down the Sudanese 
consulate in Abeche and the withdrawal of Chad's own 
consulate in El Geneina was a hard and blunt message to 
Khartoum.  Le Gal and Robert added they were not yet clear 
about what was happening, and volunteered no explanations. 
They asked what actions the USG was taking, specifically in 
Chad and with respect to the Darfur rebels.  Robert called 
attention to the October 3 Quai d'Orsay public statement on 
condemning the attacks (See Embassy Translation in para 6.). 
 
3.  (C) Le Gal observed that the hand of the African Union 
(AU) was weakening in Darfur.  While the AMIS mandate was 
potentially strong, it was "a piece of paper" that AMIS did 
not, could not or would not enforce.  Moreover, finding 
financing for AMIS was a constant struggle, Le Gal said, in 
what is proving a frequent refrain from her office. 
Blue-hatting AMIS was definitely in the cards.  In a minor 
illustration of French irritation, Le Gal said France had set 
aside 17,000 MREs for AMIS forces, but the AU had yet to pick 
up the goods for transport.  (Note:  The MREs are apparently 
in France.)  Le Gal also noted a certain discomfort on the 
French side in working with AU Chairperson Konare; 
Commissioner Djinnit was a different story, however.  Le Gal 
said Konare would visit France and meet with President Chirac 
on October 25.  Konare also visits Brussels October 12-13 on 
what she termed "regular consultations." 
 
4.  (C) Le Gal and Robert expressed reservations about how 
effective a role Libya could play in fostering rebel 
cohesion, and about Tripoli's reliability.  Nonetheless, 
Robert did view the recent SLM-JEM accord brokered by Libya 
and Chad as a breakthrough.  Both Le Gal and Robert remarked 
with interest that Deby met twice with Qadhafi last month, 
first on September 9 and then again in the last week of 
September, when transiting Libya after medical treatment in 
Paris. 
 
5.  (C) Comment and bio note:  Le Gal views the challenge of 
Darfur financing through an EU prism, in part reflecting her 
recent assignment in Brussels.  She has previously served in 
Tel Aviv, Madrid and Burkina Faso, and as a desk officer for 
East Africa.  She speaks English. 
 
6.  (U) Begin Text (Embassy translation) of October 3 public 
statement on Darfur: 
 
"France condemns the recent escalation of violence in Darfur, 
including militia attacks on villages, the September 28 
attack against the Aro Sharow IDP camp, and rebel movements 
against government positions. 
 
"France equally condemns the attacks in the vicinity of 
Modaina, Chad, on September 25, by armed groups entering from 
Sudan that caused 75 deaths. 
 
"France is moreover very concerned at impediments to 
humanitarian operations in Darfur. 
 
"France calls on all parties, the Sudanese government and 
rebel movements (SLM, JEM) to respect the ceasefire and to 
negotiate in good faith at the Abuja talks. 
 
"France reminds all parties that individuals who violate the 
ceasefire, human rights and international humanitarian law 
constitute a threat to the stability of Darfur and represent 
an obstacle to the Peace Process in Darfur; as such, they are 
liable to sanctions by the Security Council under Resolution 
1591. 
"France reiterates its support for the actions of the African 
Union Mission in Darfur (AMIS).  France welcomes the 
convening today of an emergency meeting of the African Union 
Council for Peace and Security on the situation in Darfur." 
 
End Text. 
 
 
Minimize Considered 
 
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm 
STAPLETON