SUDAN: ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT INACTIVE

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001349 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU STATE FOR NEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PGOV SOCI UN SU SUBJECT: SUDAN: ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT INACTIVE REF: A) STATE 120272 B) 07 KHARTOUM 1697 ¶1. (SBU) On November 25, EmbOff discussed Sudan's policy on the Arab League Boycott (ALB) of Israel with Abdel Aziz M. Ahmed, head of the Multilateral Trading Department of the Government of Sudan (GOS) Ministry of Foreign Trade. Ahmed stated that there has been no change in Sudan's policy or practice since last year. The Israel Boycott Act of 1958 exists, but it is ineffective. Ahmed said that the boycott is a political issue more than an economic issue, and he believes that during the coming few years Sudan may abolish this Boycott Act, especially after accession to the WTO. The Ministry of Foreign Trade of Sudan is in charge of ALB enforcement. It has contacts with the Arab League Boycott office in Damascus, which updates information of ALB. However, Sudan does not send representatives to meetings of the Central Boycott office in Damascus, but Sudan's Ambassador at Syria can attend. ¶2. (SBU) Sudanese authorities require a certificate of origin for the importation of all goods and services, and most goods are imported to Sudan through its Red Sea port of Port Sudan. Most non-perishable goods are imported directly from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. No boycott compliance questionnaires or furnished boycott-clearance certificates are needed. Sudan does not request any firms to comply with ALB requirements or provide information regarding such compliance. Sudan has no formal or informal boycott practices that have an identifiable impact on U.S. businesses. Suppliers, vendors and service suppliers are governed by Sudan's trade regulations, which do not require compliance with ALB or other international boycotts. WHITEHEAD