July
11:
Just back from
UK poolside party. Took NYRB and New Yorker writer Samantha
Power there. Spend a few hours chatting with her during the
day. Hopefully won't actually see my name in print. Spent two
hours also with Mubarak [Al Mahdi] and [Foreign Minister] Mustapha.
July
12: Went on Hash
today. It was a very pleasant walk through rural Khartoum to
the Blue Nile. I promised the UK ambassador's two sons that I'd
do it. Two bright lads, 13 and almost 17. Was otherwise
busy with meeting another tribal chief, etc. Spoke to the
Minister this evening about freeing political detainees.
July
15: Just attended the
first “JIM” (Joint Information Meeting). Four hours (8pm-midnight) that was mostly surreal.
The only new GOS information was unbelievable -- about 100,000
voluntary refugee returnees and another 158,000 IDP returnees.
Otherwise, challenges to us to present specific info on what we said
about continued insecurity, continued jinjaweed activity and
government attacks. As far as GOS sees it, they are taking actions
-- more police, arrests -- and Darfur is getting more secure. Says can't
disarm all jinjaweed right away while rebels are still attacking.
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