Arabic Media

January 7 , 2008

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Al Bashir and Al Mahdi Discuss National Unity and Minnawi Calls for Road Map for Peace in Darfur
By: Abdul Wahid Libini

• Minni Arko Minawi, Darfur Provisional Authority President, called for peace road map capable of providing peace and stability
• Minawi rejected criticism that his movement was unable to satisfy Darfur civilians aspirations
• Meanwhile, it was reported that President Al Bashir plans to meet with opposition leader Sadig Al Mahdi to foster and strengthen national unity

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: American Team Takes Part in Investigation of Diplomat’s Assassination
By: Abdul Wahid Libini

• US State Department announced that a team of 40 investigators were in Khartoum to take part in Granfield assassination’s investigation
• Sean McCormack, State Department spokesperson, said that it was premature to determine who was behind the assassination, but an unknown organization named Ansar Attawhid claimed responsibility
• Meanwhile news sources reported the arrest of a western diplomat with whom Granfield had an argument while gambling

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Deby Threatens to Target Chadian Rebels inside Sudan

• Chadian President Idriss Deby threatened to go after Chadian rebels inside Sudan and accused Khartoum regime of plotting with the Chadian rebels to destabilize his country
• Unnamed Chadian rebels acknowledged their forces were active in the Chadian – Sudanese border area
• Chadian – Sudanese relations have soured since the last round of violence between the Chadian rebels and N’Djamena regime

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Sudan Says Ready for Any Chadian Incursion

• Sudanese armed forces announced they were ready for any Chadian attack after Chadian president announced he was going to pursue Chadian rebels inside Sudan
• During an organized popular rally, Idriss Deby said “our forces will pursue them inside Sudan. We will massacre them inside Sudan”

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Khartoum Ignores Radical Group’s Claim Regarding American Diplomat’s Assassination
By: Ismail Adam

• Sudanese government minimized importance of radical organization’s claim it was responsible for American diplomat’s assassination
• Sudanese minister of justice refused to comment on the claim and indicated the ongoing investigation would find the party responsible for the assassination not internet claims
• The minister also indicated that an American team of 40 investigators were taking part in the investigation and was hopeful the close collaboration would benefit Sudanese investigators