VZCZCXRO7058
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1549 1831350
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 021350Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3497
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001549 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR D, AF/FO, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND IO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2016 
TAGS: PREL KPKO SOCI AU UN SU
SUBJECT: UN SRSYG PRONK BLOG CRITIQUES DPA 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason:  Section 1.4 (b) and 
 (d) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  Media accounts of UN SRSYG Pronk's weblog 
selectively quote him as calling for re-writing of the Darfur 
Peace Agreement, and criticizing the agreement for not 
including the Abdel Wahid SLM faction and the African Union 
for its limited capacity to implement the agreement.  A 
fuller reading of his remarks, however, reveals not only his 
concerns, but his constructive suggestions for going beyond 
the agreement to bring peace to Darfur.  His candor, however, 
may carry repercussions.  End summary. 
 
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To Blog or Not to Blog; Pronk's Bluster Airs Dirty Linen 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) On July 1, the BBC ran a story, "UN Envoy Attacks 
Darfur Agreement," stating that UN Special Representative Jan 
Pronk had said the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) is in danger 
of collapsing and needs redrafting.  The article also stated 
that the weblog called for security guarantees, further 
disarmament, and additional compensation for victims.  In 
fact, Pronk writes, "...we should stick to the text of the 
agreement, but be willing to add a lot."  He wrote that the 
appeal of the agreement should be broadened to bring on board 
more Darfurians, concluding that the document was necessary 
but not sufficient for lasting peace in the troubled region. 
Finally, Pronk observed that the African Union lacked the 
capacity to lead the process of DPA implementation. 
 
¶3. (SBU) A similar account carried by Reuters said that Pronk 
noted that none of the DPA deadlines had been met, and that 
the agreement, signed on May 5, needed mending.  Pronk is 
quoted as criticizing the African Union for not gaining the 
support of Abdel Wahid, who he said represents two-thirds of 
Darfur's internally displaced persons.   (Note:  The weblog 
is found at www.janpronk.nl.  End note.) 
 
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Using Selective Quotes Twists Pronk's True Views on DPA 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
¶4. (C) Although the above points occur in Pronk's blog, he 
also refers to the DPA as a "good text, an honest compromise 
between the extreme positions taken by the parties during the 
negotiations in Abuja.  That is why the UN, like all 
international partners, has endorsed the agreement."  While 
Pronk says that the DPA is "severely paralyzed," he 
nonetheless offers constructive ideas for breathing new life 
into it:  timely implementation, broadening the circle of 
support, and transitioning towards a UN peacekeeping force. 
Pronk clearly states "we should stick to the text of the 
agreement, but be willing to add a lot...Broadening and 
implementation should go hand in hand.  The necessary 
additions and refinements should take place in the framework 
of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and in the DPA institutions..." 
 Pronk nevertheless states that the agreement had deadlines 
which could not be kept, and lacked full understanding on the 
part of international partners of the underlying tribal 
dynamics regarding signing the DAP versus deciding not to 
sign.  He also takes a shot at those who are too impatient 
with Abdel Wahid, saying this reaction is based on "offense 
and annoyance." 
 
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Comment 
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¶5. (C) Pronk, an active blogger, is well known for a frank 
and direct approach, to the point of frequent irritating the 
Sudanese Government.  His weblog entries, however, underscore 
his genuine concerns about lasting peace in Darfur:  a need 
for inclusion (especially of Abdel Wahid's SLM faction), the 
African Union's limited capacity, and the importance of a 
transition to a UN peacekeeping operation.  His statements no 
doubt belie institutional friction between the AU and the UN, 
as well as reflecting post-DPA impatience with a lack of 
results.  Pronk's blogging, however, raises the question of 
whether his views reflect those of his boss, S/G Kofi Annan. 
HUME