Arab media

February 26 , 2008

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: UN Says 58,000 People Suffered during Recent Clashes
By: Abdul Wahid Libini

• Hybrid force received reports indicating resumption of air raid by Sudanese army in Moon Mountain in West Darfur
• Meanwhile, UN reported 58,000 Darfur civilians were affected by recent clashes between Janjaweed militia and rebel forces in the region
• It added that many civilians lost all their belongings in addition to their houses in the recent fighting and stressed the need for their protection
• President’s advisor Nafi Ali Nafi explained that the government was doing its job to rid Darfur of rebel forces and provide security to the civilian population
• He added the recent clashes were to stop an attempt by Chadian forces to come to JEM’s aid as a compensation for their support of Deby’s regime during rebel attack on N’Djamena
• Nafi said elections would be held all over Sudan including Darfur.  He acknowledged that elections would not be held in few areas but added election there could be held later when security improved
• These new air raids are taking place during Chinese envoy’s visit.  He is expected to call on Sudanese government to end the violence in Darfur and facilitate the hybrid force’s speedy deployment

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Khartoum Expects Normalized Relations with United States in 6 Months

• Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Alor said, after meeting with new US envoy Richard Williamson, he expects normalized relations with the United States in four to six months
• This would be the first real improvement since relations deteriorated in 1997 when US classified Sudan as “ a country sponsor of terrorism”
• Since then US did  not have an ambassador in Khartoum
• Alor told journalists that Williamson “would oversea normalization of relations between the two countries”

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Sudanese Minister of Defense Visits Darfur and US Envoy Arrives with Proposal to Normalize Relations
By: Al Haj Muz

• US envoy Richard Williamson comes to Khartoum with a proposal to improve relations between the two countries based on implementation of Nifasha Agreement, resolving Darfur crisis, and improving humanitarian conditions there
• Foreign Minister Deng Alor stated that Williamson was expected to discuss this proposal with President Omar Al Bashir and predicted that an agreement would be reached within six months
• Meanwhile, Darfur hybrid force reported new air raids on Moon Mountain in West Darfur
• It was also reported that Sudanese defense minister paid a quick visit to Darfur to check on his troops and the situation in the mountain area
• The minister said that his forces were in total control of Sirba, Seleia, Abu Suruj, and Moon Mountain after they chased away rebel fighters