Sudanese Armed Forces Addresses UNSCR 1672

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001068 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM AORC MCAP UN SU SUBJECT: Sudanese Armed Forces Addresses UNSCR 1672 ¶1. On April 30, Official Spokesman of the Sudanese Armed Forces General Osman Mohammed al-Aghbash issued a press release regarding the UN Security Council Resolution 1672 sanctions involving Major General Gaffer Mohammed al- Hassan. ¶2. The text of the press release reads as follow (unofficial Embassy translation from Arabic): (Begin text) The General Command of the SAF Office of the Official Spokesman of the SAF Date, April 30, 2006 Press Release: (Prelude of Koran verses) To the revolutionary and free citizens: The SAF is continuously presenting its sons as oblations to true nationalism. They sacrifice and exert efforts according to the military institution's orders, without surmounting or overstepping them. It is obliged to bear any measures against them, and they are accountable to it when they make mistakes. Hence, in accordance to the previous decision of the President and the high command of the SAF, that states it is not to extradite wanted citizens to foreign authorities, and in support to the popular leaders and dignitaries that are still continuing to provide support and backup (to the SAF) through the Popular Defense Forces, we release this statement in confrontation to the demand of the UN Security Council to extradite some of our officers, and of our brothers from the native leadership to be prosecuted outside its borders. With concern, we would like to assure all of the following: First: Any defamation or slander of those who belong to the SAF is considered as defamation to sovereign institutions and accordingly, it is considered as defamation of state sovereignty, which is completely rejected. The laws pertaining to the SAF also do not allow extraditing officers belonging to it to the outside to prosecute them. Second: Major General Gaffer Mohammed Al-Hassan is a military man of outstanding performance and he had been awarded by medals that reflect his discipline, competence, and his obligation to the chain of command of the SAF. He has never been observed as an outlaw; he always carries out the duties delegated to him. Hence the SAF will be the first answerable to any charges or allegations made against him. The SAF also is the party that is accountable to charge him if he commits any mistake according to the SAF laws and regulations, which are standard to international military laws. We assure to our honest citizens that the SAF will continue be the armor of the homeland and protector to its people from whomever aggressor without any negligence in the veneration and glory of our beloved homeland. Allah Akbar and Glory for Sudan General Dr. Osman Mohammed Al-Aghbash Official Spokesman of SA (End text) STEINFELD