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. -------------- CODEL Pelosi and the Diplomatic Front -------------- ¶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. -------------- Pronk Summoned -------------- ¶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. -------------- Bashir Confident in Judiciary -------------- ¶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. -------------- Full Media Assault -------------- ¶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 SIPDIS KHARTOUM 00000447 002 OF 002 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