MEDIA REACTION: UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001197 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, SE NATSIOS, SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UN KPAO UN SU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1769 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. Most papers prominently featured news of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769, but focused mainly on its details, and the reaction of the Sudanese Ambassador to the UN who stated that the resolution has "many positive aspects." On August 1, there were a limited number of other Sudanese reactions to the resolution. The Sudanese Ambassador's reactions contrasts with a limited sampling of dissenting views, including one editorial with the headline, "Diplomatic victory for U.S. on Darfur force resolution." This evening's nightly news and tomorrow's print media will present a more complete picture of the Sudanese reaction to the event. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On July 31, almost all Sudanese papers published news about the resolution. However, there were few reactions from government ministers and editorial columnists. Most newspapers included the comments of Sudan's ambassador to the UN, Abdelmahmoud Abdelhalim, who described the resolution as having "many positive aspects." He also added that the Sudanese government is going to study the resolution. ¶3. (U) The extremist, pro-government Al-Intibaha Daily, which advocates northern secession from the South, appeared more critical of their Chinese ally than the resolution itself. The front page article entitled, "China Supports the Hybrid Under Chapter Seven," stated that it was very "unexpected that China would consent to the deployment of the Hybrid in Darfur under Chapter seven." The article hinted that the Sudanese government was disappointed with the Chinese role in the Security Council. Al-Intibaha and several other newspapers also carried articles which stated that the U.S. Congress is considering putting further sanctions on Sudan. ¶4. (U) Also on August 1, the moderate pro-government Arabic daily Sudanese newspaper "Al-Sahafa" reported that some Sudanese officials expect that the hybrid forces may be put into a direct confrontation with Sudan. According to one article, Ambassador Serag El-Din Hamid, the Director of the Peace Department at the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave a gloomy interpretation of the resolution, stating that UNAMID is authorized to disrupt the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement. He added that this disruption will then open the door to accusations against the Government of Sudan. ¶5. (U) The State-controlled Sudanese Television's 22:00 broadcast on July 31 forecast Sudan's official reaction to UN resolution 1769 hours before the actual vote. It featured a live interview with the Sudanese Ambassador to the UN, Abdelmahmoud Abdelhalim, saying that the resolution was better than previous drafts and that it respects Sudanese national sovereignty. This was followed by an interview in the studio with political science professor Safwat Fanous who said that the resolution was balanced and that this was due to Sudan's friends on the Security Council, specifically mentioning China, Qatar and Indonesia. He added that he did not expect US pressure on Sudan, in the form of sanctions, to lessen since American pressure "had more to do with America's problems in Iraq and Palestine." ¶6. (U) An editorial in the English daily Sudan Tribune entitled "Diplomatic victory for U.S. on Darfur force resolution" by Wasil Ali stated that the U.S. was hoping for three things with the resolution: a single command and control structure provided by the UN, a Chapter VII mandate for the troops, and a specific timeline for deploying the force as expediently as possible. According to Ali, the final resolution incorporating these three elements signals that the U.S. won this diplomatic battle. Ali added that Sudan remained adamant till the very last moment, but when their "Chinese ally had a change of heart over the weekend" they had to change their strategy. Ali states that the Chinese change may have been motivated by "the threat made last Friday by Steven Spielberg of quitting his role as artistic director of the Beijing Olympics." ¶7. (U) Following this Chinese "change of heart," Ali says that Sudan's ambassador to the UN, Abdalhaleem Abdalmahmood, began to tone down his criticism of the resolution. He also wrote, "Following the adoption of the resolution, Abdalmahmood uneasily welcomed it saying that 'it contained many positive elements' which is a clear indication that Khartoum did not get all it wanted. Moreover he said that Sudan's government agencies would review the resolution." Ali also wrote that "late last night Abdalmahmood made statements to the Al-Jazeera Arabic television in which he blasted the US and accused it of having a 'hidden agenda that goes beyond Darfur' because it threatened Khartoum with sanctions in the event of non-compliance with the resolution." (Note: The embassy has not been able to confirm that this was said on Al-Jazeera. End Note.) ¶8. (U) Another media reaction cable will be forthcoming in septel tomorrow.