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