Sudan/Iran: President Bashir to Visit Tehran

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000924 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP IR SU SUBJECT: Sudan/Iran: President Bashir to Visit Tehran REF: Khartoum 897 ¶1. (U) This is an action request - see para 4. ¶2. (SBU) On April 15, the government-operated Khartoum Sudanese Media Centre stated that President Bashir plans to visit Iran on April 24. The report, carried by numerous Arabic daily newspapers on April 15-16, noted that the visit would involve discussions on political and internal matters, as well as bilateral ties; a high-level delegation will accompany the President. (Note: The Deputy Director of the Americas Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that he believed this to be true, although he did have precise details. End note.) ¶3. (SBU) The Iranian news Agency reported on April 15 that Sudanese National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Ibrahim al- Taher was visiting Tehran following attending the fourth Parliamentary Speakers' Conference of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Istanbul, where he met with Iranian officials (reftel). According to these reports, warm words were exchanged between Iran's President and al- Taher regarding enrichment of uranium, Muslim solidarity, etc. ¶4. (SBU) Action requested: Post requests Department's guidance as to whether we should seek to convey points on Iran's nuclear activities to President Bashir and his advisors before they depart for Iran. STEINFELD