MEDIA REACTION: DEFENSE MINISTER CLAIMS 24 JEWISH GROUPS

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001174 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, SE NATSIOS, NEA/ARP SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UN KPAO UN SU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DEFENSE MINISTER CLAIMS 24 JEWISH GROUPS INCITE CONFLICT IN DARFUR ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: On July 26 the Arabic pro-government "Al-Rai' Al-Aam" reprinted an interview with Sudanese Minister of Defense Abdelrahim Hussein in which he claims that 24 Jewish organizations are provoking the conflict in Darfur. In the article, reprinted from an earlier interview from the influential Saudi newspaper "Al-Ukaz," Hussein claims "holocaust groups" have penetrated tribes in Darfur, carried out a propaganda campaign, and used their political and financial power to influence decision makers. He also alleges that the U.S. wants to turn Sudan into another Iraq or Afghanistan. The Saudis invited Hussein on this official visit following by only a few days a similar visit by Minni Minnawi, the Senior Assistant to President Bashir. END SUMMARY. -------------- U.S. WANTS SUDAN TO BE ANOTHER IRAQ -------------- ¶2. (U) In his interview, Hussein said that foreign countries have used rebel movements in Darfur for their own purposes. He says there are now about 18 rebel factions that "alien countries use to meet their objectives." According to Hussein, although the West was originally supportive of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA),"now the ones who are ruining the DPA are in Paris, London and the United States." According to Hussein, these countries "do not want stability in Darfur, but they would like to see Sudan as another Iraq or Afghanistan." ¶3. (U) He added that the West has intentionally distorted the facts in Darfur, alleging that the U.S. and U.K. issue false reports which contradict real facts. He then rhetorically asks "When did America meddle and resolve a problem? When did America intervene and succeed? See what is happening in Iraq. It is far better ten years ago than today. Is Afghanistan more peaceful than before? Did America stabilize Somalia?" -------------- JEWS CREATING CONFLICT -------------- ¶4. (U) According to the article, Hussein believes that there are more than 24 Jewish groups dividing and motivating the rebels in Darfur. He said that "holocaust groups" carry out a propaganda campaign in Darfur. He further claimed that these Jewish groups provide financial and political support, especially through "their control of the media and their influence in the highest circles in America and Britain." When asked how these Jewish organizations were able to penetrate tribal leadership, Hussein responded, "They exploit inter-tribal conflicts which existed for about 200 years. These conflicts could have been resolved by tribal elders' efforts." ¶5. (U) In this interview Hussein also addresses military cooperation with China, the difference between a hybrid force and a "mixed force," and the 2009 elections and 2011 referendum.