SUDAN PRESSES OPPOSITION TO INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000447

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KPKO UN AU SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN PRESSES OPPOSITION TO INTERNATIONAL
INTERVENTION ON MULTIPLE FRONTS

REF: A. KHARTOUM 440


B. KHARTOUM 439


1. SUMMARY: Facing mounting pressure for increased
international intervention, the Government of National Unity
(GNU) has started a broad effort to resist UN and
International Criminal Court (ICC) action. Over the past
week, this campaign has included media events, newspaper
articles, engagement with CODEL Pelosi, summoning of UN
Special Representative (SRSG) Jan Pronk to the MFA, and
meeting with AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare.
Throughout, the GNU message had been consistent: there is no
genocide in Darfur, only conflicts over resources; the crisis
can be resolved without UN intervention; and foreign
governments are using Darfur as an excuse to pressure Sudan.
The most recent media reports have also begun to include
warnings that the Darfurians would react poorly to UN troops,
and that the UN peacekeepers would face great difficulties.
On February 22, Foreign Minister Lam Akol will address
parliament on the issue of foreign intervention, followed by
a vote on a draft resolution condemning any deployment of
international troops without government approval. End
Summary.

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CODEL Pelosi and the Diplomatic Front
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2. The media coverage and press releases covering the visit
of CODEL Pelosi emphasized Sudan's desire to dispel what it
considers the myths of Darfur. Before the CODEL's arrival,
MFA Spokesperson Jamal Muhammed Ibrahim said that he welcomed
the visit so that the delegation could see the reality for
themselves, rather than rely on negative reports from members
of Congress who are "propagating (these reports) for the sake
of imposing sanctions against Sudan ... and affect the
ongoing negotiations in Abuja." In the CODEL's meetings with
GNU Vice President Ali Osman Taha (ref A),Taha repeated that
message and emphasized the official government position, that
Darfur is not genocide, but rather a conflict over pastures
and water resources. The CODEL's meeting with Taha received
coverage in the local press, with an emphasis on the VP's
statements.


3. When the CODEL arrived in Darfur, they were greeted by
the Wali (governor) of North Darfur, who had arranged for a
big media event-rather than a private meeting, as expected--
and explained the true nature of the Darfur problem. Again,
he characterized it as a development and resource problem and
said that the Darfurians could actually resolve the problem
themselves if left alone. His lesson included a 12-page
report, complete with charts and graphs, that explained his
version of the conflict's history, outlined everything the
government had done to try and resolve it, and went over the
rebel's efforts to prevent peace.

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Pronk Summoned
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4. In other diplomatic efforts to forestall intervention,
the government summoned SRSG Pronk to the foreign ministry to
warn him that he should not try to exceed the UN mandate.
According to the press, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ali Ahmad Karti protested what the GNU characterized as a UN
effort to undermine Sudanese sovereignty and defame the
country (septel). He stated that the GNU is willing to work
with the UN, but only if it functioned within its mandate.
President Bashir met with Commissioner Konare several days
ago in Khartoum to stress the position that Africans should
solve African problems.

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Bashir Confident in Judiciary
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5. In a separate event, commemorating the diamond jubilee of
the Sudanese judiciary, Bashir expressed his confidence in
the judiciary and said that it was the only body that could
fairly prosecute war crimes in Darfur. He said the judiciary
has proven that they can provide fair and speedy trials that
safeguard human rights and the right of defense.

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Full Media Assault
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6. Numerous articles in every major newspaper have included
articles, interviews, and editorials objecting to further
intervention (ref B). Foreign Minister Lam Akol countered
Secretary Rice's recent statements on the continuing genocide

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by saying that only the AU on the ground is qualified to
judge the situation, and pointing out that only the U.S., and
not the AU or UN, have claimed it is genocide.


7. Official government spokespersons are always careful to
express a willingness to consider UN intervention if they can
be convinced it is justified. However, government-controlled
civic institutions, including the Journalists Union, the
Legal Accountants Union, and the Coordination Council of
Professionals Unions, have announced that they reject
international forces under any pretext (ignoring the fact
that the current AMIS mission includes 27 countries).


8. Newspaper reports and statements on the possibility of UN
intervention have also begun to take a more aggressive stand.
Speaker of the National Assembly Ahmed Ibrahim El-Tahir said
that international forces would become a target for violence
from angry Darfurians, who would not welcome a foreign
occupation. Major General Salah Abdalla Mohammed Ghosh, head
of the National Security and Intelligence Service (NSIS),
told a graduating class of NSIS officers that Darfur would
not be a comfortable place for foreign troops.
HUME