Arabic Media

Novmeber 8, 2007

Source: Al Akhbar (Independent Lebanese daily with strong circulation)
Headline: Khartoum Wants Sanctions against Rebel Groups that Boycotted Libya Talks

• Sudanese government is said to be contemplating “asking UN member countries, League of Arab Nations, and African Union to impose sanctions against Darfur rebel groups that boycotted Libya talks, including asset freezing, and political activity and media access prohibition”
• The government said “it can no longer tolerate the current situation” and added “its intelligence services has information implicating some rebel leaders in promoting foreign countries’ agenda”
• AU – UN team spokesperson said “many African experts from Burundi, Somalia, and Sierra Leon participated in the closed-door meetings in Libya and shared their countries’ experience in power sharing negotiations with rebel groups”
• The spokesperson indicated that the closed-door meetings will continue till Sunday and will discuss wealth and power sharing, territory, and security
• Meanwhile, South African leader Mbeki urged the international community to put pressure on Darfur rebel leaders who refuse peace negotiations

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Sudanese Minister: “The World Might Forget Darfur if the Rebels Did not Unite” and Chadian president Insisted on Trying French Suspects in Chad

• After French President said he would go to Chad and bring home the remaining French suspects “regardless of what they did”, Chadian President Idriss Deby responded “it is not necessary to transfer the French suspect, as the Chadian legal system is able to prosecute the case” and added “the Chadian public is very sensitive about this case”
• Meanwhile, Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Assamani Al Wasila warned that the world will forget Darfur if the rebels did not unite and participate in peace negotiations to end years of bloodshed and poverty
• The minister opposed any “independence of the territory” and complained about the flow of illegal weapons in the territory without naming the countries that are supplying them
• South African President Mbeki urged the international community to put pressure on Darfur rebel leaders who refuse peace negotiations

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Lawyer for L’Arche de Zoe Suspects Said Sarkozy Statements Complicated the Trial

• Lawyer for the French suspects who are accused of attempting to smuggle 103 Chadian and Sudanese children complained that Sarkozy statements complicated the defense’s mission and reiterated his teams respect for Chadian laws and sovereignty
• AU leader Alpha Omar Connary urged the respect of Chadian sovereignty and called for the case to be “tried in accordance to Chadian laws and the international principles of human rights”
• Sarkozy’s statements also drew a strong response from Chadian President Idriss Deby who said the case will be tried in Chad and not transferred to France
• Meanwhile, 36 international humanitarian organizations, including Save the Children, Oxfam, Care, International Rescue Committee, and Church Aid, issued a statement denouncing L’Arche de Zoe and its failed operation saying that it “has nothing to do with humanitarian work being conducted in Chad and Sudan”

Source: Okaz (Government-friendly Saudi daily with wide circulation)
Headline: $20 Million Pledge from Saudi to Darfur
By: Zein Anbar

• Saudi Red Crescent Secretary General announced that Saudi Arabia will donate $20 million for the development of Darfur region
• The secretary added that Darfur Development Conference held in Khartoum last week saw wide participation by Arab governments and private organizations, which showcases genuine Arab concern for Darfur stability and for the wellfare of Darfur civilians
• He praised the conference organizers the Arab support for Darfur as evident in the $250 million pledge

Read the above in Arabic.