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Cablegate: Media Reaction Continued: United Nations Security Council

Published: Thu 2 Aug 2007 11:02 AM
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OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
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O 021102Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8075
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001203
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TAGS: PREL UN KPAO UN SU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION CONTINUED: UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 1769
1. (U) SUMMARY. On August 2, Sudanese media focused on Foreign
Minister Lam Akol's press conference "welcoming" UN Security Council
Resolution 1769. Meanwhile, on Al-Jazeera broadcasts and in the
Sudanese morning newspapers, the Justice and Equality Movement's
(JEM) spokesperson called the resolution "a victory for the people
of Darfur people." Sudanese opposition political parties and
re-printed international articles on the event presented a more
cautious and skeptical reaction to the resolution. END SUMMARY.
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FOREIGN MINISTER LAM AKOL WELCOMES HYBRID
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2. (U) Most Sudanese newspapers prominently featured the press
conference of Foreign Minister Lam Akol, where he announced "our
[the Government of Sudan's] acceptance of the resolution." Akol
also called the resolution "practical, as it took into consideration
most of our concerns." He stated his administration is "comfortable
with the resolution," and added that it "is a result of long and
tedious consultations involving lots of people and the Sudanese
government." He stated that "This is the first time a country
involved in the resolution has taken part in the consultations."
With respect to the inclusion of the Chapter Seven which permits the
hybrid to use military force to "restore international peace and
security," Akol said this inclusion "only permits the use of force
in self-defense to protect civilians in conflict zones without
damaging Sudan's sovereignty."
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JEM - "THIS IS A VICTORY FOR DARFUR"
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3. (U) Also on August 2, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)'s
spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam told the English daily, "The Sudan
Tribune" that "this resolution is a victory for the Darfur people."
Adam specifically praised the inclusion of Chapter Seven. Although
optimistic about the resolution, JEM's spokesman urged the
international community to pressure Khartoum to fully implement the
resolution. He alleged that "We know that within this regime there
are those who are opposed to the peacekeeping forces and that they
would obstruct its deployment. The world should know that this
regime is divided and there are some who work only for a military
solution." He also stated that JEM will work with the peacekeepers
in order to facilitate their mission on the ground. Further, he
urged the AU-UN troops to hold dialogue with the armed rebel
movements for the benefit of peace and security in the region.
Nonetheless, he deplored the absence of a clear mention of the
disarmament of the Janjaweed militia groups indicating that they are
the main tool of Khartoum to commit genocide in Darfur. He also
regretted that the resolution does not include any references to the
International Criminal Court (ICC) and its role for bringing justice
to Darfur.
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OPPOSITION VOICES
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4. (U) The Sudanese daily "Ra'i al-Shaab," presented a different
perspective on the resolution. This paper, published by Hassan
Al-Turabi's Popular Congress Party, included remarks from Sudan's
main opposition groups. Dr. Farouq Kadoda, a leader of the Sudanese
Communist party, is quoted in one article as expressing his surprise
at the Sudanese government's acceptance of the hybrid. He also
criticized the UN saying, "it would be of more benefit for the
people of Darfur if the international community spent its money on
development."
5. (U) The usually pro-government "Ra'i al-Aam" also included the
reactions of several opposition leaders. In one article, Bashir
Adam Rahama of the Popular Congress Party, stated that he welcomed
the resolution, as it will protect the civilians that the government
failed to protect. Rahama added that the resolution is not the
final solution for the problem in Darfur, and that the crisis needs
"collaborative efforts from all parties." Ali Al-Sayed, a leader in
the Democratic Unionist Party of Muhammad Osthman Merghani, stated
that this group rejects the resolution, and added that it will lead
to a confrontation between the hybrid troops in Darfur, the rebels,
and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). Bakri Adeel, of Sadiq Al-Mahdi's
Umma party, stated that his party is "disappointed" with the
resolution, and added that "the hybrid force will stay as long as
the troops in "Iraq."
6. (U) The new English language, Southern-focused, "The Advocate,"
said that Sudan's Ambassador to the United Nations stated that
despite the fact that the resolution was issued and approved it will
"still be subject to study and evaluation by the Government." He
downplayed the inclusion of Chapter Seven, stating that this
inclusion is mentioned in only one article, and that it does "not
touch on any of the Sudanese government's authority and
responsibility."
KHARTOUM 00001203 002 OF 002
7. (U) Mohamed Abdella, in an editorial from the extremist,
usually pro-government Al-Intibaha Daily, which advocates northern
secession from the South, was extremely critical of the government.
He accused the government of "faking victories" and described the
government of Sudan as "lying and deceiving its people." He went
further to criticize officials who say that the hybrid is not a
"force" but an "operation." He said government officials have used
this word choice of "operation" to delude the Sudanese people into
thinking that this is not a military force. He claims that there is
a "hidden agenda" behind the deployment of the hybrid.
7. (8) The Sudan Tribune also reprinted articles from the
international news media which included reactions from U.N.
officials, "Sudan specialists," and advocacy groups such as Save
Darfur, Enough, and Amnesty International. Many of these reactions
urged caution, encouraged further divestment and sanctions, and
predicted that the Government of Sudan would obstruct the deployment
of the hybrid.
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