Anti-International Intervention Campaign

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000606 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI US AU SU SUBJECT: Anti-International Intervention Campaign Continues REF: A) Khartoum 00590, B) Khartoum 00571, C) Khartoum 00548, D) Khartoum 00500, E) Khartoum 00467, F) Khartoum 00447 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Sudan continues its campaign against U.N. intervention in Darfur, with a steady stream of protests and actions taken by the press, government, and public to reject the introduction of international forces to replace those of the African Union. End summary. -------------- -------------- Protests of March 7 and 8: Internat'l Interference Cited -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During the March 8 protest (Ref A),protesters rallied against UN intervention in Sudan, delivering a letter to the UNDP office. On March 7 (Ref B),a handout from protesters claiming to represent the Muslim Brothers student sector of Nilein University cited a number of anti-Islam concerns, and stated that the group rejects "American demands that call for foreign intervention that will take us back to the era of darkness and humiliation" (unofficial Embassy translation). Demonstrators reportedly also called on UN Special Representative Jan Pronk to leave Sudan. -------------- -------------- President Bashir Sends Messages to African Presidents -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) According to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA),on March 7, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Al-Samani Al- Wasila departed for South Africa, Lesotho, Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique. The purpose of his trip is to convey a message from President Bashir appealing for African support for the continuation of African Union forces in Darfur. -------------- -------------- VP Taha To Explain Rejection of UN Troops in Brussels -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Pro-government Sudan Vision stated that Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha had departed for Brussels for EU meetings in order to "explain Sudan's view on the rejection of deployment of UN forces in Darfur or replacement of the AU forces stationed in the region by the UN." -------------- Council of States Debates Issue -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In an extraordinary session held on the evening of March 6, the Council of States, a national legislative body composed of two members from each of Sudan's 25 states, met explicitly to discuss international intervention in Darfur. Also no proclamation ensued, and 12 SPLM members argued in favor of UN intervention, the majority appeared to favor rejection of UN re-hatting. -------------- -------------- People's Commission for Defense of Faith/Homeland Warns -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) At a press forum at the Sudan News Agency on March 6, the People's Commission for the Defense of Faith and Homeland warned that any international forces in Darfur would "face a fierce resistance by all categories of the Sudanese people." The Commission also warned the African Union peace and Security Council not to transition its forces in Darfur to international peacekeepers. Commission Chairman Hussein Suleiman Abu-Salih stated that the Sudanese people rejected UNSC Resolutions 1590, 1591, and 1593, which he said were unjust and posed an attempt to "undermine Sudan's sovereignty." Chair of the Sudanese Women's Union Raja Hassan Khalifa warned of the repeat of "the same atrocities which happened in Iraq," and called on the negotiating parties in Abuja to "speed up the process to reach a quick peace agreement, which will prevent Sudan and Darfur from intervention of international forces." -------------- Acting FM Receives UNSP Pronk -------------- ¶7. (U) According to the Sudan News Agency, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Karti met on March 6 KHARTOUM 00000606 002 OF 002 with UN Special Representative Jan Pronk. Karti stated that the efforts being exerted by "foreign powers" were having a "negative impact on the peace process in Darfur," and sent "negative signals to the Darfur rebel movements, pushing them to adopt yet more intransigent stands during the peace talks." Pronk maintained that the UN seeks peace in Darfur, and is independent. He noted that efforts should concentrate on supporting the peace negotiations and halting security violations in Darfur. -------------- Darfurian Opinions Aired -------------- ¶8. (U) The Pro-government Sudan Vision also published an article, "International Forces in Darfur: A Blessing or a Curse?," which cited a series of individuals as stating international intervention in Darfur would involve: "open interference in our internal affairs," "a breach of national sovereignty," a "threat against national security," "some hidden agenda," "an American plan to impose hegemony," a plan to allow "access to Sudan's wealth and resources," and "a threat to the "country's unity" and its "social fabric." WHITAKER