Pres. Advisor Claims U.S. Seeks to Undermine Sudan from

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000156 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV US SU SUBJECT: Pres. Advisor Claims U.S. Seeks to Undermine Sudan from Within ¶1. (U) The United States seeks to dismantle Sudan, said Presidential Advisor Mustafa Osman Ismail, according to a January 31 account in the Sudan News Agency, a state-operated media outlet. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs also is quoted as stating that the U.S. strategy towards Sudan had shifted from ousting the Sudanese government through neighboring countries to one of consolidating peace and then mounting international pressure through human rights organizations and bringing controversy to Khartoum. ¶2. (U) Ismail's interview also stated that the relationship between Sudan and the EU was "slow" and influenced by U.S. strategy through individuals supported by the U.S. and the UK. According to the government-affiliated Sudan Vision daily newspaper, in reference to the same interview, Ismail is quoted as stating that the U.S. and Israel are working to create splits and divisions among Arab nations. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: The views of Ismail, a National Congress Party stalwart, reflects continuing suspicions regarding the ultimate objectives of non-governmental organizations and a broader, more international peacekeeping force in Darfur. POWERS