Cablegate: Media Reaction: Cda Praised for Efforts by Pro-Regime

VZCZCXRO2223
RR RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1222 2181143
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061143Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8104
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001222

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, SE NATSIOS,

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UN KPAO UN SU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CDA PRAISED FOR EFFORTS BY PRO-REGIME
DAILY

1. (U) SUMMARY. On August 2, the managing editor-in-chief of the
pro-government "Akhbar Al-Youm," praised the U.S. Charge d'Affaires,
the U.S. embassy's press release upon his arrival, and the
anticipated return of the American scholarship program in 2008. In
particular, the editor-in-chief, Asim Al-Bilal Al-Tayyeb,
complimented CDA Fernandez on his cultural and linguistic knowledge,
his recent visit to flood-affected areas such as Kordofan, and "his
statements and actions which are not hostile." Al-Tayyeb also noted
that the CDA is "almost Sudanese," as he speaks Arabic, conducts
interviews on "Al-Jazeera," and is originally from Cuba, "which is
very close to the Middle East [in terms of culture.]." END SUMMARY.

2. (U) On July 29, CDA Fernandez met with Professor Mahmud Hassan
Ahmad, the Director General of the National Center for Diplomatic
Studies. (NOTE: The CDA was not previously informed of the
presence of the press at the meeting. END NOTE.)

3. (U) Al-Tayyeb opened the column saying that he requested an
interview for his publication, "Akhbar Al-Youm," from the CDA at
this meeting. Al-Tayyeb writes that he was surprised to learn that
the CDA knew of his publication and read it on a daily basis.
Al-Tayyeb then requested an interview from the CDA, and according to
the column, the Charge apologized saying that a lot of newspapers
have requested interviews from him. According to Al-Tayyeb, the CDA
stated that he needs more time to study the reality of Sudan and its
mass media.

4. (U) Al-Tayyeb complimented the CDA's press-release issued upon
his arrival. According to Al-Tayyeb, the CDA acknowledged the
difficult nature of his job in Sudan, but he looks forward to an
open dialogue with an open heart to improve Sudanese-American
relations. He then states, "We knew Alberto before his arrival
through Arab satellite television and [we knew of] his ability to
speak Arabic which will open a dialogue with the society."
Al-Tayyeb also expressed his appreciation for the CDA's visit to
Kordofan to see the victims of flooding, adding that the Charge's
statements and actions are not hostile.

5. (U) Al-Tayyeb, ends his piece saying that "we thanked the
Charge and we support him in improving Sudanese-American relations,
which will depend on exchanging different points of view." He also
expressed his hope that the American University program would be
reinstituted in Sudan, in order that Sudanese citizens "might learn
from American advanced technology."

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