03 Khartoum 1042 *

* Note:  This cable actually should have been posted previous to the last as it came first and provides background to this media case.

03 Khartoum 1075

News Article by DPA posted on November 09, 2003

News Article by DPA posted on November 09, 2003 at 18:00:43: EST (-5 GMT)

Sudan prohibits U.S. officials from travelling to Dafur

KHARTOUM, Nov. 09, 2003 (dpa) -- The American Embassy in Sudan published a statement Sunday expressing regret that the U.S. Charge d'Affairs in Sudan, Gerard Galluci, and other representatives of the Embassy and USAID were prohibited from travelling to Nyala town in the South Darfur region of western Sudan.

The statement said that Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), a government establishment regulating the work of local and international relief organizations cancelled the trip despite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs granting permission to travel.

The embassy and USAID officials were travelling to Dafur, a region of extreme unrest, to monitor on-going aid programmes.

The statement demanded that the Sudanese government remove barriers to free movement and permit free travel throughout the country.

From the Arabic Press of 10/10/2003

ARABIC PRESS REVIEW*

10/10/2003

AL RAI AL AAM:

SUDANESE-AMERICAN AGREEMENT ON PRACTICAL STEPS TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS:

Sudan and the United States agreed to start practical and preparatory steps to normalize bilateral relations during the forthcoming phase.

Upon his meeting with Gerard Gallucci, US Charge before he returns to Washington, Dr. Mustafa Osman, Foreign Minister affirmed Sudan’s keenness to continue communication and coordination with the United States on all pending issues between the two countries.

For his part, Gallucci reiterated the US Administration is determined to take positive step immediately after the government and the SPLM sign the peace agreement.

The US diplomat who will discuss the horizons of relations between the two countries with the officials in Washington expressed his content of his country at the outcome of Dr. Ismail’s meeting in Washington.

He commended the Foreign Minister’s efforts exerted to normalize relations between the two countries. He applauded the President’s speech during the inaugural session of the National Assembly and welcomed the political leadership’s pledge to commit to realize peace and to expand freedoms, freedom of speech and organization in particular.

DR. GHAZI HELD CONTACTS WITH EL SADIG AND EL MIRGHANI ON THE POLITICAL FORCES’ PARTICIPATION IN THE TALKS

HE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SUNDAY

THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: THE PEACE AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE A POLITICCAL DEAL

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: THE STATE’S EFFORTS WILL BE TOTALLY ENEAVORED TO COMPENSATE THE SUDANESE PEOPLE FOR WHAT THEY MISSED DURING THE YEARS OF WAR

EL SADIG EL MAHDI DISCUSSES NIVASHA AGREEMENT WITH EL BAZ

PRESIDENT OMER EL BASHIR VISITS CHAD TODAY TO HOLD IMPORTANT TALKS WITH DEBY

THE GOVERNOR OF SOUTH DARFUR: OUT OF CONTROL GROUPS ARE PRACTICING ARMED ROBBERY IN SOUTH DARFUR

ALWAN:

TRIBUNAL FOR SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN SABOTAGE ACTIVITY:

Six suspects appeared before North Khartoum Criminal Court chaired by Judge Ismat Suleiman Hassan. They were accused of charges regarding practice of activity hostile to the established regime.

The Security organs seized this group and accused them of being financed by a foreign circles that were seeking to provide arms and military equipment through contacts with arms mongers.

This group requested to be supplied with 700 guns, grenade, military uniforms and officers’ and non-commissioned officers’ signs.

The complainant added before court that the group leased a house in Khartoum center and used it to practice its activity. A tight ambush was fixed and the group individuals were seized.

During investigation it was revealed that one of the 4 suspects affiliates to an armed faction in the south and has relationship with the US authorities and he is representative of a foreign figure in one of the major hotels in Khartoum.

A PLAN TO INCLUDE THE SOUTHERN RETURNEES IN THE NATIONAL CONGRESS

HEAVY RAINS IN KHARTOUM

SPLM OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN: WE AGREED TO NEGOTIATE WITHOUT MEDIATORS AN THE ISSUE OF THE THREE AREAS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT

THE FOREIGN MINISTER TURNS DOWN THE BRITISH PROPOSAL TO DISPATCH INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCES TO SUDAN:

AL SAHAFA:

ALI OSMAN, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: RELEASE OF FREEDOMS AND LIFT OF GRIEVANCES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE FORTHCOMING PHASE

OMER EL BASHIR CALLS UPON THE NC TO BEAR ITS COMPLETE RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD THE FORTHCOMING PHASE

FRENCH RESERVATION AND SUDANESE REJECTION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SENDING PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO THE COUNTRY

AL SHARIE AL SIYASSI:

SECRETS!

International Intelligence reports spoke about a figure that had its account in one of the world Western banks reached $380 million US dollars. The Intelligence expressed its astonishment at this amount and said how could the fortune of a person in a country such as Sudan to be equal to 30% of the balance of payment!

EDITORIAL: THE PEOPLE IN THE PEACE FORMULA:

DR. GHAZI SALAH EDDIN AFFIRMED: THE FORTHCOMING PEACE PHASE DEPENDS ON APPLICATION AND THE OTHERS’ PARTICIPATION

AL ANBAA:

THE US CHARGE COMMENDS AL BASHIR’S SPEECH AND PLEDGES TO URGE HIS GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT SUDAN:

GALLUCCI: THE UNITED STATES IS CONTENT OF DR. MUSTAFA’S VISIT:

The American Charge in Sudan commended President El Bashir’s speech before the inaugural session of the NC general conference. He pledged to address his government and to urge it for more support to Sudan to realize peace and development.

Dr. Mustafa Osman, Foreign Minister affirmed Sudan is keen to continue contacts and coordination with the Untied States on all issues remained between the two countries.

He reiterated Sudan appreciates the United States positive contribution to the peace process.

Yesterday’s meeting with the US Charge yesterday discussed the outcome of the Foreign Minister’s visit to Washington and the meetings he held with officials of the US State Department and the White House in addition to the Congressmen.

The US Charge expressed content of the United States at the outcome of the Foreign Minister’s visit to Washington and commended his efforts.

AL ADWAA:

GARANG THREATENS TO SMASH THE LRA IMMEDIATELY AFTER SIGNING THE PEACE AGREEMENT

THE NC DELEGATION WILL MEET WITH THE SPLM IN RUMBECK TOMORROW

POLITICAL ANALYSIS:

WASHINGTON AND KHARTOUM ARE FLIRTING WITH EACH OTHER!

THE US CHARGE COMMENDS AL BASHIR’S SPEECH AND PROMISES FOR A SHIFT IN RELATIONS

THE NC WELCOMES THE BRITISH PROPOSAL BUT THREATENS TO RESIST IT IF IT IS WICKED

THE NC APPROVES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SPLM

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE CALLS UPON THE POLITICAL FORCES FOR A BROAD FRONT AND CALLS FOR MORE FREEDOMS

THE RULING PARTY APPROVES THE PRINCIPLE OF ALLOWING ALL PARTIES TO START THEIR ACTIVITIES AND CALL UPON THEM TO RENOUNCE BITTERNESS

AL HAYAT:

THE STATE MINISTER FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS MET WITH THE USAID DIRECTOR IN KHARTOUM

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*Note:  Part of the Embassy's daily press review prepared by local staff (Foreign Service National -- FSN) in the public affairs office.  The press reflected the messages/spin preferred by the government. 

03 Khartoum 0782

Note:  SBU means Sensitive But Unclassified