BASHIR SHORES-UP KEY CONSTITUENCIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 002403 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/SPG E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO KPAO UN SU SUBJECT: BASHIR SHORES-UP KEY CONSTITUENCIES Classified By: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) President Bashir held a two-hour press conference on September 24 after his return from the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Bashir has staked his legitimacy on opposition to UN forces, and he used the press conference to shore-up three key constituencies. For a Sudanese public concerned about increasing political instability, Bashir portrayed the government's position as both unanimous and as necessary to protect Sudan's sovereignty. For his internal NCP rivals, he demonstrated his sustained resolve to oppose international intervention. And for those in the Arab and Muslim world who have pressured him to compromise, Bashir articulated a measured way forward to support the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and to ensure security in the region. ¶2. (U) The press conference was not broadcast on either radio or television, and official transcripts were not released. According to an unofficial Embassy translation of a report in the pro-government daily "Akhbar Al Yom" on September 25, Bashir made the following points: -- The Sudanese government signed the DPA because it wanted to achieve peace and to prevent attempts to internationalize the Darfur problem. -- The non-signatories were given adequate time to join the DPA. After a deadline, however, they were supposed to be subject to sanctions. The fact that the discussion turned to UN troops rather than to sanctions indicates that the international community has another agenda: to colonize Sudan. -- The rejection of UN forces was approved unanimously by the Council of Ministers. -- UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1706 gives UN troops the same authority and latitude as coalition forces in Iraq. -- UNSCR 1706 states that there are no viable institutions in Sudan and calls for the creation of a new judiciary, the reformation of the police force, international supervision of the borders, and monitoring of human rights. These changes will put Sudan under complete guardianship. -- The Sudanese government cannot accept UNSCR 1706 because it would nullify the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by re-deploying UN troops from Southern Sudan to Darfur. -- The opposition political parties in Sudan should adopt a strong position against international intervention in Darfur in the interest of protecting the homeland. -- Eighty percent of Darfur is already stable and secure. -- The Sudanese government supports African Union (AU) forces in Darfur and calls on the international community to provide financial and logistical support. -- The Sudanese government will proceed with the implementation of the DPA by issuing presidential decrees to establish the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority and to form a force of 20,000 military and police officers to protect internally displaced persons. -- The international community first spread misinformation about the AU's resource capacity. After the Arab League pledged financial assistance, the international community then began to criticize the AU's military capacity. -- The international community should condemn the atrocities committed by the National Redemption Front (NRF) in Darfur. -- The NRF does not want peace. They want to destroy the DPA. -- The international community holds a double-standard: When the Sudanese government tries to contain NRF atrocities, it is condemned for cease-fire violations. -- The Eritrean government should expel NRF leaders from its territory. -- The demonstrations in the U.S. on the Darfur crisis were organized by the Jewish and Zionist lobbies, indicating that the Darfur situation has been exploited in preparation for the upcoming U.S. elections. -- To reciprocate for the recent treatment of President Bashir's delegation in New York, all Americans in Sudan will be restricted to an area within 25 kilometers of the KHARTOUM 00002403 002 OF 002 Republican Palace in Khartoum. This restriction will not be altered unless relations improve between Sudan and the U.S. HUME