Darfur: Pres. Bashir Speaks to Trade Unionists under

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000184 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO ELAB SOCI US SU SUBJECT: Darfur: Pres. Bashir Speaks to Trade Unionists under Theme of "No to Foreign Intervention" Ref: a) Khartoum 00181, b) Khartoum 00171 ¶1. During a February 6 address to the International Trade Union Conference at Friendship Hall in Khartoum, President Bashir rejected the entry of international troops into Sudan. The account, carried by government-aligned Sudan Vision daily, said Bashir asserted the Darfur problem could only be solved through dialogue, additional resources, and further services. ¶2. Bashir, who spoke in a conference hall adorned with a "No to Foreign Intervention" banner, told the audience that the government looked forward to donors fulfilling their pledges for achieving development and stability in all war and conflict-affected areas if Sudan. Bashir thanked the Arab League for supporting African Union forces in Darfur. He also commended China for supporting Sudan in international courts and in rejecting the use of force, threats, or sanctions against Sudan by the UN Security Council. ¶3. Omdurman Sudan Television broadcast on February 6 an account of the event in Arabic that included a statement by President Bashir that, "all Western allegations made against Sudan are links in the chain of an imperialist scheme being concocted against the Arab nations." ¶4. On February 7, roughly 100 individuals participated in a brief protest march from the Ministry of Public Service, Manpower Development, and Labor to the UNDP Office in Khartoum. The theme was opposition to foreign intervention in Sudan. POWERS