Cablegate: Sudan: Arab League Boycott Inactive

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DE RUEHKH #1349 3360848
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 020848Z DEC 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4819
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC//BIS/OIC//
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001349

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU
STATE FOR NEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PGOV SOCI UN SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN: ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT INACTIVE

REF: A) STATE 120272 B) 07 KHARTOUM 1697

1. (SBU) On November 25, EmbOff discussed Sudan's policy on the
Arab League Boycott (ALB) of Israel with Abdel Aziz M. Ahmed, head
of the Multilateral Trading Department of the Government of Sudan
(GOS) Ministry of Foreign Trade. Ahmed stated that there has been
no change in Sudan's policy or practice since last year. The Israel
Boycott Act of 1958 exists, but it is ineffective. Ahmed said that
the boycott is a political issue more than an economic issue, and he
believes that during the coming few years Sudan may abolish this
Boycott Act, especially after accession to the WTO. The Ministry of
Foreign Trade of Sudan is in charge of ALB enforcement. It has
contacts with the Arab League Boycott office in Damascus, which
updates information of ALB. However, Sudan does not send
representatives to meetings of the Central Boycott office in
Damascus, but Sudan's Ambassador at Syria can attend.

2. (SBU) Sudanese authorities require a certificate of origin for
the importation of all goods and services, and most goods are
imported to Sudan through its Red Sea port of Port Sudan. Most
non-perishable goods are imported directly from Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia. No boycott compliance questionnaires or furnished
boycott-clearance certificates are needed. Sudan does not request
any firms to comply with ALB requirements or provide information
regarding such compliance. Sudan has no formal or informal boycott
practices that have an identifiable impact on U.S. businesses.
Suppliers, vendors and service suppliers are governed by Sudan's
trade regulations, which do not require compliance with ALB or other
international boycotts.

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