VZCZCXRO2062
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHC #5210/01 2901516
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 171506Z OCT 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9169
INFO DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 3415

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 145210 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
ADDIS ABABA FOR USMISSION USAU 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SU MARR
SUBJECT: SUDAN - HANDOVER OF LIGHT SUPPORT PACKAGE 
INFRASTRUCTURE TO UNITED NATIONS 
 
REF: STATE 144892 
 
¶1. (U) This is an urgent action request for USUN.  Please see 
paras 4 and 5 for instructions and text of handover document. 
 
¶2. (U) Background: Per a request by the United Nations, 
Department of Peacekeeping Operations in late 2006, the 
Department of State created a contract to provide logistics 
support to the UN,s Light Support Package (LSP) to the 
African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) on a reimbursable 
basis.  This work, carried out through Pacific Architects and 
Engineers Government Services, Inc. (PAE), included the 
construction of the UN,s largest base camp in El Fasher, 
Darfur, as well as several additional sites in El Fasher, Al 
Geneina, Zalingei and Nyala.  These facilities are intended 
for the use of United Nations personnel deploying to Darfur 
to help bolster AMIS and to pave the way for transition of 
AMIS to a robust, hybrid UN/AU peacekeeping operation.  The 
work carried out by PAE under this task order has been 
inspected by both the US Government Technical Monitor in 
Darfur and UN personnel and has been deemed ready for 
handover from the USG to the UN.  The UN has verbally and via 
email requested that this handover take place as quickly as 
possible.  The attached handover document in para 5 has been 
reviewed by DPKO and the UN,s Office of Legal Affairs, and 
has been approved for signature.  The text has been cleared 
by L/BA, L/LFA, and AF/SPG. 
 
¶3. (SBU) In March 2007, the USG and UN completed negotiations 
on a reimbursable agreement under Section 607 of the US 
Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) for the work in question.  The 
reimbursable agreement was signed by Ambassador Wolff on 
behalf of the USG.  To date, the USG has not received 
reimbursement for the work carried out by the USG contractor 
in Darfur, but has been assured that the funds are 
forthcoming.  In spite of the lack of reimbursement to date, 
the Department deems the handover of these facilities as 
critical for the advance of UN deployment to Darfur and is 
not seeking to delay this process.  However, in delivering 
the handover document in para 5, the Mission should stress 
the need for expeditious reimbursement for work completed and 
should also reiterate the urgent need for DPKO to set up its 
own logistics support contracts in Darfur.  Per reftel, the 
UN has also recently  requested additional support services 
from the USG, including extension of Operations and 
Maintenance (O&M) services at AMIS base camps beyond December 
31, 2007 on a reimbursable basis.  The USG would like clear 
assurance from the UN that it will have in place its own 
contracts by no later than April 1, 2008, and will not seek 
further support from the USG outside the system of assessed 
UN dues. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Department requests the handover document in 
para 5 be signed and transmitted by the US Mission to the 
United Nations to the UN,s Department of Peacekeeping 
Operations, Logistics Support Division for countersignature 
no later than October 17, 2007.  The Mission should use this 
opportunity to (1) reiterate USG support for UN deployment to 
Darfur, (2) stress the need for urgent completion of the 
reimbursement process for work under the LSP, and (3) recall 
the need for a written assurance by the United Nations that 
it will assume responsibility for operations and maintenance 
support of all base camps in Darfur no later than April 1, 
2008, per reftel. The Department further requests that a 
scanned copy of the handover document with signatures by both 
parties be transmitted by the US Mission to the Africa 
Bureau,s Sudan Programs Group for its records.  For 
additional background information, please contact AF/SPG 
Rebecca Jovin (202-647-4597) or Joshua Drake (202-647-2348). 
 
¶5. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF HANDOVER DOCUMENT. 
 
TRANSFER OF WORKS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO A LETTER OF ASSIST 
DATED 21 AND 26 MARCH 2007 
 
¶1.  On 21 and 26 March 2007, respectively, the United States 
of America and the United Nations entered into an Agreement 
Concerning the Provision of Services and Commodities on a 
Reimbursable Basis in Support of the Operations of the United 
Nations Mission in Sudan (the &Agreement8) which referenced 
a Letter of Assist. 
 
¶2.  As set forth in the Letter of Assist and the Agreement, 
the services and commodities to be provided included the 
 
STATE 00145210  002 OF 002 
 
 
services and works described in Task Order SAQMPD07F0536 
dated December 20, 2006, as subsequently modified on 11 June 
2007, (the &task order8) issued by the Department of State 
pursuant to Contract SLMAQM03C0033-M008 with PAE Government 
Services, Inc. (&PAE8) dated 27 May 2003 (the &contract8). 
 
¶3.  The works described in the task order included the 
construction at El-Fasher of AMIS Headquarter Staff 
Accommodations, Office Accommodation inside AMIS 
Headquarters, an Additional Parking Area, and a Power House, 
as well as Office and Living Accommodations at Al Geneina, 
Zalingei and Nyala. 
 
¶4.  These works have been substantially completed, have been 
jointly inspected by representatives of the United States of 
America and the United Nations African Union Mission in 
Darfur (&UNAMID8) and are deemed ready to be turned over to 
UNAMID for use in its operations in Sudan. 
 
¶5.  It is hereby agreed that custody, title and all rights of 
use in the works provided under the task order, as described 
in paragraph 3 above, are hereby transferred to UNAMID. 
 
¶6.  The parties agree that the services and works provided 
hereunder are accepted by the United Nations Mission as is 
and that no claim for damages shall be made against the 
United States of America; provided, however, that any 
warranties or other obligations of PAE under the task order 
will be exercised by the Department of State at the request 
of the United Nations Mission. 
 
Executed this      day of       , 2007. 
 
For the United States of America      For the United Nations 
 
END HANDOVER DOCUMENT TEXT. 
RICE