SUDAN: CONDEMNING THE JAN. 24 HIJACKING INCIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000104 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR AF A/S FRAZER FROM CHARGE HUME E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017 TAGS: PREL KCRM KPAO PTER EAIR US SU SUBJECT: SUDAN: CONDEMNING THE JAN. 24 HIJACKING INCIDENT REF: STATE 08619 Classified By: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) During a January 24 meeting of Charge Hume with Presidential Advisor Mustafa Osman Ismail to discuss reftel demarche, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs asked that the USG condemn the January 24 hijacking of an Air West aircraft in Darfur (details covered in septel),because it was a terrorist act against international civil aviation. ¶2. (C) Given our consonance of interest in fighting terrorism and the need to resolve complex bilateral issues, I ask for the Department Spokesman to announce our response to this matter specifically in today's noon press briefing. A simple public statement condemning this morning's hijacking in Darfur would be a helpful, albeit minor, carrot. ¶3. (U) A full report of the meeting with Ismail will follow septel. HUME