(Foreign Media Reaction Daily Digest)
CONFLICT IN SUDAN: TEHRAN EXPORTING REVOLUTION; WEST VS.
ISLAM?
Observers in Muslim countries in the Middle East and Asia
decried the civil war in Sudan, charging that the fighting
had been orchestrated by "foreign powers," ostensibly the
United States and Iran, "in order to "weaken" pan-Arabism
as Middle East politics--driven by the Arab-Israeli peace
talks--undergo a paradigmatic shift from war to peace.
Commentators expressed the hope that Sudan's internal
disputes will be resolved in a way that would safeguard
that nation's interests, "territorial integrity" and
"national unity." Both the Sudanese government and the
rebel movement were urged to engage in dialogue to end the
conflict. There was no editorial comment from Sudan but
its official radio station highlighted domestic support for
fighting any invading forces from neighboring Ethiopia and
Eritrea.
Much of the commentary came under the category of the
purported "West vs. Islam" dichotomy, with Muslim writers
charging that Sudan's war has provided Washington with a
way to get even with the Islamic fundamentalist regime in
Khartoum, reportedly the world's largest training camp for
terrorists. Iranian and Iraqi papers led Arab and Muslim
complaints about the loss of Arab prestige and accused the
United States and Israel of waging a "proxy war" in the
Horn of Africa. Many of these commentators claimed that
U.S. assistance to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Uganda was
intended to help Sudan's neighbors aid the rebellion and
send troops into the country. This same group of writers
also protested the international embargo against Khartoum.
Amman's pro-government Al-Ray, for example, maintained,
"America does not seem to want to end this ferocious war no
matter how long it goes on. All America seems to want is
to retain the international diplomatic sanctions imposed on
Sudan last year."
Pro-government and opposition papers in Egypt supported the
Mubarak government's policy of non-interference in the war.
Nevertheless, these papers accused Iran, Israel and Iraq of
complicity in the fighting and said that the strife "was
also directed at Egypt." Opposition Al Wafd worried that
Sudan's appeal to Tehran for help--subsequently denied by
Sudan--provided Iran with "a golden opportunity" to
"besiege the Arab world via the Red Sea, to be able to
export its revolution westward." Pro-government Al Akhbar
warned that "Egypt will not stand idle if a foreign power
were to intervene in the Sudan."
In Belgium, independent De Morgen warned of a "mega-war
threatening in Africa" stretching perhaps some 3,000
kilometers from the upper border of Eritrea to the southern
border of Burundi. Citing a University of Antwerp
scholar's study of the fighting in Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi
and the current crisis in Sudan, the paper said, "The issue
is a series of conflicts which, in principle, have nothing
to do with each other but in which the fighting parties are
each other's allies.... 'Only now does Washington realize
that it has opened Pandora's box and it is as scared of an
implosion as we [Europeans] are.'"
This survey is based on 26 reports from 10 countries,
January 19-February 3.
EDITOR: Gail Hamer Burke
MIDDLE EAST
SUDAN: "SPLA Major General To Fight Against Ethiopia"
Official Sudanese radio reported (1/29), "Major General
Kerubino Kwanyin, [a] leader of the SPLA [Sudan People's
Liberation Army], Bahr Al-Ghazal wing, has announced that
his forces will fight alongside government forces against
the iniquitous Ethiopian aggression on our eastern border.
Major General Kerubino's statement came following his
arrival today in Damazin town, capital of the Blue Nile
state. He said that denominationalism and partisanship had
failed to achieve any progress in the country and had
hampered efforts to establish peace. He added that the
Ethiopian attack on our eastern border with the scattered
remnants of the opposition and [SPLA leader] Garang
threatened national unity. Kerubino affirmed that the
factions that signed with the government the political
charter for peace were striving to develop this charter
into a full agreement."
"Eritreans In Sudan Reportedly Condemn 'Aggression' In
East"
Official Sudanese radio announced (1/24) that "the Eritrean
community in Khartoum has staged a march in Khartoum to
protest against what the Afewerki regime is doing against
Sudan and against its support for saboteurs, rebel
remnants, agents and mercenaries.... This was said during
a meeting between a delegation from the [Eritrean Islamic
Jihad] movement and retired Major General Abul Qasim
Ibrahim, the governor of Kassala, during which they
delivered a letter to him affirming the Eritrean people's
support for the Sudanese people. They stated that what the
Eritrean regime was doing was a plot executed with support
from the states of arrogance to eliminate the Islamic
orientation in Sudan."
BAHRAIN: "U.S. Involvement"
Leading, semiofficial Akhbar Al-Khalij ran this comment
(1/29) by Adnan Bumtai: "U.S. involvement in what is
happening in east Sudan cannot be denied because the State
Department spokesman admitted U.S. financial aid to
Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda, but said that the aid was not
for lethal weapons but to buy clothes, bags and shoes for
the soldiers.... The situation obliges the Arabs to
support Sudan in the face of attempts to divide it."
"Foreign Intervention"
Leading, semiofficial Akhbar Al-Khalij, in a commentary by
Hafedh Al-Shaikh, said (1/28): "Financial aid, in millions
of dollars, given by the United States to the governments
of Addis Ababa, Asmara and Kampala to enable them to
support the Sudanese opposition, is proof of foreign
intervention in Sudanese affairs and of the assaults
against it."
"Once Burned By Sudan"
Omran Salman wrote in leading, semi-independent Al-Ayam
(1/18): "It is natural that the United Nations Security
Council announces that it has does not have enough
information on events in Sudan, and it is natural that the
Arab and African countries do not answer Sudan's letters
because the situation there is entirely an internal issue
between the government and the opposition.... The logic
which the Sudanese government now uses to explain its case
to the world was the same logic used by those harmed by its
policies in the past.... And of course he who lies once,
twice and three times will not be believed even when he
tells the truth. Countries burned once by Sudan will not
tolerate it again."
"Sudan's Conflicts"
According to Ali Sayyar, writing in leading, semiofficial
Akhbar Al-Khalij (1/18), "In the past we called Sudan 'the
breadbasket of the Arabs'...and efforts were made to invest
in its agriculture.... But Sudan (failed) owing to internal
conflicts and [Sudan People's Liberation Army leader]
Garang's useless war in the south.... Perhaps because
there are some people who want to wear jeans instead of
Islamic dress, to eat with the knife instead of with their
hands, and to enjoy Madonna instead of reading the
Koran...(is the reason why) that Sudan, with an Islamic
ideology and Arab identity, and which embraces Islam in the
heart of the black continent, has long faced a war waged by
separatists supported by foreign forces known for their
hate of anything Arab."
EGYPT: "We Will Not Stand Idle If A Foreign Power
Intervenes In Sudan"
Ossama El Gammal, columnist, pro-government Al Akhbar
(2/3): "Although the Sudanese government insists that
foreign powers (Eritrea and Ethiopia) stand behind these
confrontations, the real reason is the government's
domestic and foreign policy failure.... We do not need to
confirm that Egypt's clear policy is that this is a
strictly internal Sudanese affair, although Egypt will not
stand idle if a foreign power were to intervene in the
Sudan.... The greatest danger is that these circumstances
may create a rift in the military, and then the government
will not be able to confront a military attack if the
southern front is opened, especially after its failure to
obtain foreign support."
"No Sanctions Against Sudan"
Talaat Romeih, columnist, Islamist-leaning opposition Al
Shaab (1/31): "The U.S. announcement that it seeks new
sanctions against the Sudan reveals the truth anew. All
the masks have fallen.... The United States has flagrantly
declared its criminal positions against all Arab
countries.... This clearly shows that the rebels have
become broken.... The United States had to oppose the
Sudan with all its might. Israel was delegated in leading
the invasion, which is not only aimed at the Sudan but also
at Egypt. However, (the United States) has forgotten the
lesson of Lebanon where 200 marines were killed and the
lesson of suicidal attacks in Palestine. It seems that it
needs a reminder."
"Sudan Asks Tehran For Help"
Opposition Al Wafd remarked (1/27), "Finding itself
isolated by most of the Arab countries, the Sudan asked
Tehran for help.... Iran found this a golden opportunity
to intervene in the Sudan, and also to besiege the Arab
world via the Red Sea, to be able to export its revolution
westward. However, this time it is threatening Egyptian
national security directly.... Does Cairo insist that what
is happening is a Sudanese internal affair? Then, how
could the two enemies Iraq and Iran unite in supporting the
regime in Khartoum?... Iraqi-Iranian assistance...will
only increase the bloodshed.... It is a mistake to think
that they want to support the Sudanese rulers, because
their ultimate aim is to avenge their isolation...by
hitting Arab national security as a whole.... Will the
Egyptian official position remain silent?"
"Clinton Gave Green Light To Invasion In Sudan"
Mohamed Gamal Arafa wrote in Islamist-leaning, opposition
Al Shaab (1/24): "There was news in November of U.S.
assistance to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Uganda, with the United
States claiming to support the stability of these
countries. However, the Washington Post published a
commentary revealing...that President Clinton gave the
green light to the invasion of the Sudan, and sent arms to
neighboring countries and Sudanese opposition to do the
job.... Certainly, this coincided with (the UN) discussion
of the air embargo on the Sudan. Now it is clear who the
leader of the aggression is."
"U.S. And Israel Supporting Rebellion In Southern Sudan"
Mohamed Al Haiawan, a columnist for opposition Al Wafd,
maintained (1/22), "It is said that the United States is
besieging the Sudan, that Israel is supporting the
rebellion in southern Sudan, and that Egypt is angry
at the Sudanese regime. The situation in the Sudan
is getting worse. Some advise Bashir and Turabi to
seek asylum in another country so that Mahdi could
return to rule.... But the joke will be on the
United States, because it will not be able to besiege the
Sudan once it becomes a democratic country. The United
States will have to assist the Sudan instead. Israel will
not have a chance to muddy the waters.... I believe this
solution will be supported by most Arabs."
IRAQ: "U.S. Attempts To Fragment Sudan"
Government-run Al-Jumhuriyah charged (1/29), "The nature of
weapons and the firepower used in the invasion attempt
constitute a double scandal for the U.S. administration and
for the two poles of the invasion; namely Eritrea and
Ethiopia, because the latter two countries do not have the
material capability to keep the momentum of the invasion as
it is unless they receive support from a foreign party that
has such a capability." The paper added that the Arab
position on Sudan has not risen to the level of the
seriousness required to confront such threats: "Those who
blow the U.S. trumpets did not learn the lessons from the
U.S. aggression on Iraq or from its serious repercussions
on pan-Arab security. The insistence by some of them on
playing the same role confirms their actual partnership as
humiliated henchmen who are implementing a U.S. scheme
hostile to the Arabs and to their pan-Arab aspirations."
"'Unified' Position To Protect Arab Security"
Government-owned, organ of the Arab socialist Baath Party
Al-Thawrah (1/26) called for a unified Arab position to
safeguard pan-Arab security: "Foreign parties are
targeting pan-Arab security. It is not difficult for
anyone to determine these sides' identity and their
declared and undeclared objectives." The paper referred to
the blockades imposed on Iraq and Libya and the aggression
in southern and eastern Sudan and said, "The current
situation necessitates that no one Arab country should be
left alone to confront these plans while others watch the
scenes of mass slaughter of Arabs. Those who watch now
only wait for their turn.... The Arabs, who have all
pillars of development and progress, should be
introspective to confront foreign challenges strongly and
resolutely and to create all necessary factors of awakening
at this age."
"'Fraternal' Sudan"
Iraqi television ran a report (1/22) on the letter that
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein received from "fraternal"
Sudan which explained the "Eritrean and Ethiopian
aggression against Sudan.... The leader president, may God
watch over him, reiterated Iraq's principled support for
Sudan and any other Arab country that is exposed to a
foreign aggression."
JORDAN: "Settling Scores With Regime In Sudan"
An editorial on the front page of pro-government,
influential Al-Ray (1/26) said: "The U.S. stance on the
events in Sudan is contradictory: On the one hand,
Nicholas Burns says that the United States has asked
countries neighboring Sudan not to send foreign mercenaries
to the battlefield; on the other, the American Embassy in
Khartoum has announced that what is happening in Sudan is
an internal affair between the regime and the opposition.
In both cases, America does not seem to want to end this
ferocious war no matter how long it goes on. All America
seems to want is to retain the international diplomatic
sanctions imposed on Sudan last year."
"Sudan And The Arabs"
Ibrahim Absi, the head of the Jordanian Writers
Association, argued in pro-government, influential Al-Ray
(1/22), "Will the Arab countries sit and watch with folded
hands the new wound in Sudan? Will they settle again
for more statements of denunciation and condemnation?
Doesn't this aggression against Sudan require a genuine
Arab awakening and a united stand to stop the killing
of this rich and promising Arab country that is a
genuine economic, political and military source
for the Arab nation? The criminal schemes that are
being put together against the Arab nation will not end
with Sudan. There are more horrible schemes to divide the
Arab nation and bring it into the dark tunnel of weakness
and degradation.... Are we going to learn the lesson of
the aggression against Sudan?"
"We Support The Sudanese Government But Its Critics Must
Be Heard"
Jamil Nimri, a leftist, opined on the op-ed page of pro-
government, influential Arabic daily Al-Ra'y (1/22), "There
is nothing wrong with Jordan's official stand on Sudan.
Whatever the circumstances, any armed action violating the
sovereignty of any Arab country should be condemned.
However, as politicians, we cannot ignore the other side of
the coin and the fact that Arab regimes insist on
restraining opposition.... Political diversity, as well as
ethnic diversity, are a de facto situation in Sudan. The
current Sudanese regime cannot solve the problems by
ignoring them."
"Sudan's Independence Should Be Protected"
Pro-government, influential, largest circulation Arabic
daily Al-Ra'y held (1/19), "What fraternal Sudan is being
subjected to is part of a conspiracy against its unity,
sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The UN Security
Council is silent and is not responding to Sudan's request
for a special emergency session to discuss the situation.
Ethiopia and Eritrea are playing host to the so-called
Sudan People's Liberation Army, and are giving logistic
and other assistance to the rebels in the south and the
east. Moreover, there is the siege imposed against Sudan
and led by the United States, very similar to the sanctions
imposed against Iraq and Libya."
YEMEN: "Events In Sudan"
According to government Al Thawra (1/26): "Yemen's
position toward the developments in Sudan does not differ
from its position toward the security and stability of any
country in the Horn of Africa or the region.... The use of
the Sudanese opposition by foreign governments as an
umbrella for settling accounts with the Sudanese government
will create unprecedented dangers in future relationships
between states in the region."
SOUTH ASIA
IRAN: "'Conspiracies' Against Sudan"
Official Iranian radio commented (1/29) "The statements
made by the Sudanese vice president during his visit to our
country indicate that there are pre-planned conspiracies by
arrogance aimed at inflicting blows on the Islamic
government of Sudan. Referring to the recent events in
his country, Sudanese First Vice President Zubayr Muhammad
Salih has said that the United States and Israel are trying
to weaken that country's Islamic movement through a variety
of conspiracies, the provocation of rebels opposed to the
central government, and by fanning the flames of ethnic and
political disputes. This is at a time when the other
conspiracies of Washington and Tel Aviv are targeting
Islamic movements in the Middle East and the Horn of
Africa, making life as difficult for them as possible....
New acts of aggression indicating the behind-the-scenes
aims and intentions of the warmongers, and the military
attack on Sudan's territory revealed a corner of the
colonialist plans for imposition of a new kind of pressure
on Islamic countries. And there is no doubt that if
assistance to Sudan's enemies had been halted, the recent
military operations could not have taken place and, in
those circumstances, peace-seeking efforts would probably
have succeeded....
"What gives cause for hope here is that the resistance and
steadfastness of the Sudanese people and the wisdom and
clearmindedness of some of the countries of the region
that...has impeded the spreading of the conspiracy against
Khartoum and its neighbors."
"Tehran Will Offer Diplomatic Support, Humanitarian Aid To
Sudan"
Official Iranian radio held (1/29), "It is known that
relations between Tehran and Khartoum have been developing
constantly since the triumph of the Islamic revolution in
Iran. Senior officials in both countries have exchanged
visits, including the visit President Hashemi-Rafsanjani
paid to Sudan in September last year. However, the visits
Sudanese officials paid to Tehran recently, in addition to
being part of the contacts involved in bilateral relations,
take on special importance because of the problems Sudan is
facing at present. The Islamic Republic of Iran views the
military developments on the Sudanese borders with Eritrea
as part of a scheme to shake the stability of the Sudanese
government and threaten Sudan's territorial integrity.
Hence, Tehran denounces any aggression on Sudan and
supports its territorial integrity. Khartoum is facing a
serious crisis that requires the backing and support of all
Islamic and friendly states. Being very concerned about
the aggression on Sudan, Tehran will make diplomatic
efforts to support Sudan at the international level. It
will not hesitate to provide humanitarian assistance to the
sons of the Sudanese people."
"U.S. Has Waged A 'Proxy War' In Sudan"
The official English-language Tehran Times opined (1/25) in
an article stressing Khartoum's complaint that Ethiopia,
Eritrea, Uganda, Egypt and the United States are extending
aid to the Sudanese rebels (1/25): "In order to secure a
foothold in the region, the United States has waged a proxy
war in Sudan. And in this war, the U.S. role is not overt;
it carries its plots into effect through its regional
allies and Israel." It stressed that all the regional
countries involved should bear in mind that Sudan's
neighbors have similar problems with their own ethnic
groups and neighbors' support for the rebels will lead to
the destabilization of the whole region: "It is the
territorial integrity of Sudan which is at stake. If today
it is Sudan which has fallen prey to the U.S. plots,
tomorrow it will be the turn of its neighbors."
"The American People And Their Government's Hostility
Toward Iran"
Tehran's official, English-language Iran News opined
(1/19), "America's power structure seeking enemies and the
clash of civilizations, are invented enemies--Muslims,
Iran, Sudan and others--entirely due to the internal needs
of the United States. The U.S. power structure is
gradually losing its legitimacy and popular support. The
U.S. government, the representative of various lobbies and
an extremely small minority, does not represent the people
of the United States. Voting records, sometimes much less
than 50 percent, in spite of massive mass media propaganda,
is indicative of the fact that voters in the United States
have come to the conclusion that their votes do not make a
difference and, in reality, they have been excluded from
the political process. The irrational enmity of the United
States toward Iran is not related to the issue of
democracy....
"An abundance of wealth and a sense of fair play have made
Americans a decent people. Alas, this cannot be said of
the ruling elite who run America. This minority does not
reflect the true spirit and character of Americans. It is
truly up to the people of America, Christians, Muslim, the
Jewish and others, especially Iranian expatriates living in
the United States, to make sure that the message gets
across to the American people that Iranians have the
greatest respect for them. The experience of American
citizens who live in Iran bear witness to this fact.... It
should be the aim of the good people in the United States
to stop the wayward behaviour of the U.S. government and
put an end to the abuse of power by a small minority in the
name of the people of the United States which is against
the interests of all Americans."
EUROPE
BELGIUM: "A Mega-War Threatening In Africa"
In a front-page article, independent De Morgen (1/30) said,
"The war between the Zairian rebels and the government army
threatens to wind up in a total regional war in which major
parts of Africa may be involved, says University of Antwerp
Professor Filip Reyntjens, one of the principal experts on
Africa. 'There is the threat of an implosion of East,
Central and Southern Africa,' he warns. The scenario that
is gradually being formed is that of an immense front-line
from the upper border of Eritrea to the southern border of
Burundi, i.e., a 3,000-kilometer distance. The issue is a
series of conflicts which, in principle, have nothing to do
with each other but in which the fighting parties are each
other's allies. The Western powers have underestimated
heavily the danger of an escalation. 'Initially, the
United States supported Rwanda and the rebels in eastern
Zaire because of the access to southern Sudan,' Reyntjens
says. In that area, the United States also supports the
rebel movement that is fighting the fundamentalist regime
in the capital of Khartoum which is, according to
Washington, the world's largest training camp for
terrorists. 'Only now does Washington realize that its has
opened Pandora's box and it is as scared of an implosion as
we are.... In Reyntjens's view, there is only one way to
avoid a mega-war: a demilitarized zone with an
international armed force between Zaire and Rwanda."
ITALY: "Outlaw States (Or Almost So)"
A commentary in provocative, classical liberal Il Foglio
said (1/28): "While the new U.S. secretary of
state...confirmed her hostility toward Fidel Castro, we
were informed that Bill Clinton authorized Occidental
Petroleum to exploit an oil field in Sudan. This
move...represents a significant reinforcement of
Khartoum's fundamentalist government.... According to the
Americans, South Africa should be condemned because it
supplies arms to Syria (thus fostering terrorism) while
Occidental's oil investment is peaceful.... In her speech,
Secretary of State Albright expressed platonic condemnation
of China for civil rights violations in Hong Kong.... At
least, the Europeans are more explicit because they aim at
the growth of commerce and investment to fight...terrorism
and human rights violations. On the contrary, the
Americans look like irreproachable champions defending
rights while doing so only in alternating waves according
to their business interests."
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