SUDAN: MFA SAYS NO GUESTS, HIGH-LEVEL VISITS

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002409 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SP REP NATSIOS AND AF A/S FRAZER NSC FOR COURVILLE AND SHORTLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ODIP OVIP OTRA US SU SUBJECT: SUDAN: MFA SAYS NO GUESTS, HIGH-LEVEL VISITS DURING RAMADAN REF: KHARTOUM 02408 ¶1. (U) On October 1, Embassy Khartoum received a diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated September 30 regarding guests and visitors to Sudan. ¶2. (U) The text of the dip note (received in Arabic ) unofficial Embassy translation) is as follows: (Begin text) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Sudan presents its compliments to all diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to the Sudan and would like to advise that on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Sudanese officials will not be able to receive any guests during this great month. Kindly schedule the visits of ministers and senior officials to the Sudan after the great month of Ramadan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Sudan avails itself of this opportunity to renew to all diplomatic missions and international and regional organizations accredited to the Sudan the assurances of its highest consideration. (End text) ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Reftel details an additional MFA dip note limiting the movement of U.S. citizens and officials in what appears to be a concerted effort to exert strict limitations on the activities of U.S. nationals in Sudan. HUME