RESPONSE - SUDAN COMPLAINS OF "PROBABLY AMERICAN"

S E C R E T KHARTOUM 000276 NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR AF FO, AF/SPG E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2019 TAGS: ETTC PARM PGOV PREL SU MASS ASEC SUBJECT: RESPONSE - SUDAN COMPLAINS OF "PROBABLY AMERICAN" BOMBING ATTACKS IN EASTERN SUDAN REF: A. STATE 17758 ¶B. KHARTOUM 249 Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) CDA Fernandez informed Sudanese MFA U/S Mutriff Siddiq on February 26 that, per reftel a, "the United States did not/not carry out these reported attacks." Siddiq said that he will make sure that this response is disseminated to the appropriate government channels. RAO will also follow up with Sudanese Intelligence (NISS). ¶2. (SBU) Switching gears, Siddiq said that "I want to assure you that we take the security of your mission and personnel very seriously and will be taking all precautions to offer protection in the coming days" (obviously referring to the upcoming March 4 ICC announcement on President Bashir). He added that new political pressure on Sudan by the United States would force "a political response" by Sudan, but "this is separate from your security needs, which we are sincerely committed to." FERNANDEZ