Arabic Media

Novmeber 29, 2007

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: L’Arche de Zoe Says French Government Was Aware of Children Operation

• Arrested head of L’Arche de Zoe stated that French ministries of the interior, justice, and foreign affairs were aware of the operation to transfer children to France
• The organization’s founder Eric Breteau wrote in a long letter that accused the French government of not only abandoning him but also of assisting in his arrest
• French embassy and military mission in Chad assisted the group up to their arrest by Chadian authorities as they were preparing to leave with 103 children
• The detained activists could face up to 20 years in jail

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Khartoum Rejects United Nations’ Accusations that It Hinders Darfur Force Deployment

• Abdul Mahmoud Abdul Haleem, Sudan’s UN representative, maintained that Sudan provided all required assistance to facilitate deployment of Darfur hybrid force
• Ali Asadig, ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson, denied any disagreement about participating countries’ nationality, indicating that Chinese and Pakistani troops would provide technical and engineering assistance.  As for Scandinavian troops, he said they were not proposed by concerned parties
• These statements were made after Jean Marie Guehenno told UN Security Council that Hybrid force deployment faces three main obstacles: Sudan’s objection to non-African participation, its unwillingness to provide land to build the force’s headquarters and barracks, and restricting helicopter activities
• UN envoy, Jan Eliasson, also voiced concern about humanitarian conditions at Darfur refugee camps

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Absence of Arab Humanitarian Organizations in Darfur Criticized
By: Mahmoud Jumua

• A conference at Cairo University Center for African Studies warned against dangerous activities by some humanitarian organizations active in war-torn regions
• Legal and humanitarian experts from Egypt and Sudan discussed L’Arche de Zoe’s failed operation
• The Center’s former dean Sayid Flaifel condemned UN Security Council’s lax attitude toward these organizations
• Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim accused some African nations of assisting this organization in kidnapping the children.  He also charged that Chadian and Sudanese individuals, who participated in this operation, were not arrested or brought to justice either in Chad or Sudan
• Adam Hamza, head of Sudan Rebuilding and Development Promise organization, stated that the “crime” committed by the French organization had a negative impact on all foreign humanitarian organizations in Sudan
• He urged more involvement by Arab and African humanitarian organizations to prevent the infiltration of unscrupulous foreign organizations
• Legal expert Dr. Ayman Salama agreed with the need for more Arab and African humanitarian participation, but warned against blaming all foreign humanitarian organizations

Source: Okaz (Saudi-owned daily with strong circulation)
Headline: UN Warns against Deteriorating Situation in Darfur

• Jean Marie Guehenno expressed concern regarding obstacles facing Darfur hybrid force deployment during a UN Security Council meeting
• He questioned Sudan’s cooperation and commitment to the deployment of the force, and bemoaned lack of transport and tactical helicopters
• Meanwhile, UN envoy Jan Eliasson warned against worsening situation at refugee camps and voiced concern regarding possible delay of hybrid force deployment
• He urged all involved parties to have “the political will” to achieve peace in the region

Read the above in Arabic.