ADDITIONAL FOLLOWUP TO IRANIAN FLIGHTS INFORMATION

S E C R E T KHARTOUM 000120 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF A A/S CARTER, AF/SPG, NEA/IPA, ISN/CATR E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MASS IR SU SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL FOLLOWUP TO IRANIAN FLIGHTS INFORMATION REF: A. STATE 8319 ¶B. KHARTOUM 107 Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) CDA Fernandez presented talking points in reftel a to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Al-Samani al-Wasila (in the absence of FM Alor and President Bashir at the AU Summit) on February 1. RAO presented the same information through their channels to Sudanese Intelligence (NISS) on the same day. ¶2. (S/NF) Al-Wasila thanked CDA for the information but suggested that Sudan's formal response will be the same that it was previously (reftel b),that Sudan is not/not allowing weapons into Sudan from Iran at this time (while admitting that had had such a relationship in the past, but for SAF and not Hamas use). CDA responded that a simple regurgitation of Sudan's previous denial would be unfortunate. He noted that if, indeed, as the State Minister notes, Sudan is innocent of these accusations then it would be helpful for Sudan to be more forthcoming in somehow proving that this is the case. Al-Wasila promised to communicate this to NISS and to Sudan's senior leadership. ¶3. (S/NF) Al-Wasila added that Sudan sincerely wants an improved relationship with the United States and has tried to achieve this for years now. It was not Hamas, but the Palestinian people in Gaza, who had overwhelmingly been the victims of Israeli military action. CDA agreed that the tragic events in Gaza had certainly affected public opinion in the Arab world but Sudan has a long list of its own problems and challenges, such as CPA implementation and Darfur, and real problems with the USG, that surely should be a priority over the regime's relationship with Hamas and Iran. FERNANDEZ