Arab media

March 10 , 2008

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: UNICEF: Kidnapped Chadian Children Will Return to Their Families

• UNICEF announced that Chadian ministry of foreign affairs agreed to the return of over 100 children, kidnapped by L’Arche de Zoe, to their families
• The 103 children, include 21 girls and 82 boys between 1 and 6 years old, have been living in an orphanage in N’Djamena since the failed attempt
• 5 of the children might be from a village in Sudan and the rest were from Chad

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: China Urges Sudan to Find a Middle Ground Solution for Darfur

• Chinese envoy to Darfur Liu Giulin said his country urged Sudan to do more to end violence in Darfur and enable deployment of more hybrid troops
• Giulin defended his country’s record in Sudan and described its efforts as a diplomatic bridge to end bloodshed and bring about peace in Darfur
• The envoy blamed part of the crisis in Darfur on some of Darfur rebel groups that refuse to make any concessions for the sake of peace but put most of the responsibility to end the violence on the Sudanese government
• These latest statements by the Chinese envoy underscore the delicate balance China is trying to play, as it tries to defend itself against accusations that it was not doing enough to end Darfur crisis while at the same time not completely abandon its ally

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Sakozy Condemns Sudan for the Killed French Soldier

• Sarkozy of France “strongly condemned the deliberate and disproportionate use of force against EUFOR soldiers who accidentally entered Sudanese territory” and demanded that “Sudan do everything possible to present similar incidents from reoccurring”
• Two French soldiers strayed into Sudan’s territory by accident but were fired upon by Sudanese troops killing one and wounding the other
• French officials indicated that EUFOR has a UN mandate to “assist Darfur refugees, Chadian displaced civilians, and protect aid workers”

Source: Okaz (Government-Friendly, Saudi daily with strong circulation)
Headline: Arab League Official in Sudan Accuses Israel of Interfering in Darfur
By: Saeed Abdul Aal

• Arab League representative in Sudan Dr. Salah Halima criticized Abdul Wahid Nour’s decision to open an office in Israel, indicating the move would reduce the chance of peace in the region and distance Nour from his supporters in the camps
• Dr. Halima said Nour’s supporters understand that Israel’s true motives in the region were political rather than humanitarian

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Chad – Sudan Reconcile in Dakar this Wednesday
By: Tareq Fathi and Abdul Wahid Libini

• Sudan’s UN representative Abdul Mahmoud Abdul Halim indicated that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon promised to attend reconciliation Summit between Chad and Sudan when the two countries are expected to sign a peace agreement
• Senegalese President Abdulaye Wade said the two countries would agree on ending their support to each other’s rebel groups
• Meanwhile, Ki-Moon welcomed US and Canada’s lead in forming “UNAMID Friends” group to provide assistance to the force including training and equipment.  The group includes US, Canada, Britain, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, an Tanzania

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Sudanese Minister of Defense Says All Territory Held by Rebels to Be Legitimate Military Target

• Sudanese Minister of Defense Abdurrahim Mohamed Hussein said all Darfur areas under rebel control would remain military target till their liberation
• He also added the army would not stand by when rebels attack and described military efforts to reclaim Jabal Moon, as part of the army’s duties
• Hussein accused UN of double standards for criticizing the army’s attempts to liberate Jabal Moon but failed to say anything when the rebels took control of the area
• In addition, the minister described Abdul Wahid Nour’s opening an office in Israel, as “suicidal” and his movement “without goal or cause”
• He added that Jewish organizations were behind “ the organized illegal immigration into Israel” and were using Nour “as cat’s claws in African, and Arab and Muslim worlds”