VZCZCXRO7209
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDS #0186/01 0341118
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 031118Z FEB 10 ZDK UR NUMEROUS HSD #0007 0360628 SVC
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7589
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8033

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000186 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
C O R R E C T E D COPY (DELETED THE CLASSIFIED BY STATEMENT 
                        AND CHANGE PARAGRAPH NUMBERS 
                        WITHIN THIS MESSAGE) 
 
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/C, AF/E, S-USSE, AND IO/UNP 
PARIS FOR WBAIN 
LONDON FOR PLORD 
NSC FOR MGAVIN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL MARR AU
SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT: UNSYG FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS LEROY 
ASKS FOR HELP WITH MINURCAT 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00000186  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
This message was sent by USAU Ambassador Michael A. Battle. 
 
 
¶1. (U) January 30, 2009; 1:30 p.m.; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 
 
¶2. (U) Participants: 
 
U.S.: 
Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson 
USAU Ambassador Michael Battle 
AU Desk Officer Ryan Bowles 
Special Assistant Samantha Lasry (AF Notetaker) 
 
United Nations: 
Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain 
LeRoy 
 
¶3. (SBU) Summary: Bureau for African Affairs Assistant 
 Secretary Johnnie Carson met with United Nations Under 
 Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations (U-SYG) Alain 
LeRoy on the margins of the African Union (AU) Summit.  The 
two discussed the future of MINURCAT in Chad, and North-South 
relations in Sudan.  The Assistant Secretary asserted the 
need for a wider array of political and monetary support for 
AMISOM in Somalia.  End Summary. 
 
Chad-MINURCAT 
------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping 
Operations Alain LeRoy expressed his concern over the future 
role of MINURCAT in Chad.  He stated the Chadian government 
wants MINURCAT completely phased out of the country by March 
15, 2010, but thinks it is politically infeasible to leave by 
that date.  Assistant Secretary Carson agreed and said that 
we must try and push back the exit date to March 2011 because 
of the elections and referendum in Sudan, and potential South 
Sudan independence.  A/S Carson suggested speaking with 
Chadian FM Faki and possibly altering the MINURCAT mandate to 
allow a more robust defense of the Chad/Sudan border.  U-SYG 
LeRoy noted he was open to suggestions and requested that A/S 
Carson and Special Envoy for Sudan Scott Gration discuss 
prolonging the deployment of MINURCAT with the Chadians.  A/S 
Carson said he will talk to Faki, and he reaffirmed 
MINURCAT's importance as a stabilizing mechanism. 
 
Sudan 
----- 
 
¶5. (SBU) A/S Carson noted the complexity of the referendum 
process, highlighting the possibility for political turmoil 
and an escalation of violence in South Sudan.  He said that 
if a resurgence of the conflict occurs, it will be different 
from the two previous conflicts in the region and the North 
will use more sophisticated methods this time.  U-SYG LeRoy 
concurred, noting the South has little capacity, especially 
in terms of security and resources.  He stated UN mission in 
the South must be more agile and mobile, and must prepare 
contingency plans.  He also noted the difficulty of 
preventing the flow of arms into South Sudan. A/S Carson 
agreed, noting that North Sudan could send weapons and money 
to the South to keep the region destabilized should there be 
a resurgence of violence.  The U-SYG inquired about former 
President Thabo Mbeki's role in Sudan, and particularly the 
Comprehensive Peace Agreement.  A/S Carson underscored 
Mbeki's importance, noting he must be a part of the solution. 
 LeRoy concurred and noted Haile Menkerios, the new UN envoy, 
could be used to bring in Mbeki. 
 
Somalia 
------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Turning to Somalia, A/S Carson reiterated USG 
commitment to the Djibouti Peace Process, the Transitional 
Federal Government (TFG), and President Sheikh Sharif.  He 
noted our desire for greater African and Arab support in 
Somalia, particularly in terms of monetary, political and 
troop contributions.  The U-SYG stressed the importance and 
need for AU payment of AMISOM troop salaries to be raised to 
the UN standard.  A/S Carson agreed, and noted the need for 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00000186  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
the TFG to demonstrate substantial progress in the political 
and security sector arena.  He stated Sheikh Sharif must have 
more support from AMISOM.  U-SYG LeRoy inquired as to what 
countries could provide more support.  A/S Carson underscored 
Ugandan President Museveni's troop contribution, but noted if 
South Sudan wins independence, Museveni will reconsider.  He 
suggested Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana as countries that 
could possibly provide more resources to AMISOM. 
 
¶7. (U) A/S Carson as approved this cable. 
 
YATES