Arab media

January 20 , 2008

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Sudan’s Suggestion to Improve Relations with United States.  Thousands Flee after Resumed Clashes in West Darfur
By: Abdul Wahid Libini

• Presidential advisor Mustapha Othman Ismail indicated that he and foreign affairs minister provided US administration with suggestions on ways to improve relations between the two countries
• He refused to elaborate stating the foreign minister would provide a detailed report to President Al Bashir when he returned to Khartoum
• UN Refugee Agency reported new air raids on West Darfur killing one person and sending thousands fleeing into Chad and forcing it to withdraw its employees near the borders with Chad
• Meanwhile, Sudanese government expressed concern over Chadian prime minister’s call to expel Darfur refugees

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Bush to Give Darfur $100 Million and Criticizes UN Bureaucracy

• US President Bush urged international community to end bloodshed in Darfur during wreath-laying ceremony at genocide memorial in Rwanda
• He stressed the need to confront evil and indicated US would donate $100 million to peacekeeping efforts in Darfur
• But at the same time he defended his decision not to send troops to Darfur while criticizing UN bureaucracy for UN’s slow response to violence in Darfur
• The president also alluded to China when he said “human suffering comes before economic gains”
• China responded that it was doing all it could to improve the situation in Darfur and stop bloodshed in the region

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Ruling Partners Exchange Accusations Regarding Tensions in Abyei

• Ruling partners exchanged accusations as tensions in oil-rich Abyei region increased threatening peace between North and South Sudan
• National Congress Party leader Mustapha Othman Ismail defended government’s actions to protect civilian population in Abyei region and blamed the tensions on Sudan People’s Liberation Army
• Meanwhile, Luka Piong accused National Congress Party leaders of using members of Misseria tribe to fight the Sudan People’s Liberation Army

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: UN Refugee Agency Withdraws Its Employees from Darfur because of Resumed Fighting
By: Salah Awwad and Mustapha Sirri

• UN Secretary General spokesperson indicated that UN Refugee Agency withdrew its employees from West Darfur following recent air raids near border area between Chad and Sudan
• The spokesperson said the team will return to the region after the raids are over
• The secretary general voiced concern over resumed clashes in Darfur between government and rebel forces in Mount Moon in West Darfur
• At the same time, Justice and Equality Movement reported that it downed two military planes, a claim refuted by government forces
• The movement indicated it won the battle and that Moon Mountain was under its control