SUDAN DENOUNCES UNMIS SPOKESWOMAN

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001143

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE, SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG AND AF/RSA
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO KPAO MARR MOPS UN SU

SUBJECT: SUDAN DENOUNCES UNMIS SPOKESWOMAN



1. (SBU) Sudan denounced United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
spokeswoman Radhia Achouri for stating that the Sudan Armed Forces
(SAF) had not completed the withdrawal of its troops from Southern
Sudan, in violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). In
a July 21 statement, SAF spokesman Brig. Osman Aghabas said that
Achouri had "deliberately ignored" the delayed withdrawal of Sudan
People's Liberation Army (SPLA) forces from Eastern Sudan. Virulent
attacks by other National Congress Party (NCP) officials also filled
the newspapers.


2. (SBU) During a press briefing on July 18, Achouri had asserted
that the SAF maintained 3,600 troops in Upper Nile State and that
the SPLA had disputed SAF claims that it should remain in the oil
areas because the Joint Integrated Units (JIUs) had not arrived.
Aghabas' statement asserted that "it is the duty of the Government
to protect these oil fields until the complete redeployment of SPLA
forces." He said that the dispute between the SAF and the SPLM
would be referred to the Presidency, contrary to Achouri's previous
assertion that the matter would be reviewed by the Ceasefire
Political Commission (CPC).


3. (SBU) Comment: The SAF's fierce attack on Achouri is consistent
with the NCP's pattern of criticizing individuals who make factual
assessments of the situation in Sudan. Former Special
Representative of the Secretary General Jan Pronk fell victim to
similar attacks. CDA Fernandez spoke to Achouri on July 21 and
expressed the Embassy's solidarity with her and UNMIS in the wake of
the unwarranted denunciation. End comment.

FERNANDEZ