Al-Jazeera TV dismiss Sudan claims on Darfur rebel chief interview
By Wasil Ali
June 4, 2008 (WASHINGTON) – The Al-Jazeera Arabic language television rejected claims made by the Sudanese government yesterday regarding the authenticity of an interview with a Darfur rebel leader.
The news channel based in Doha, Qatar announced this week that they have interviewed the head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Khalil Ibrahim in Darfur and aired portions of it in the last few days.
However senior Sudanese security officials speaking to the daily Al-Hayat newspaper published in London questioned the authenticity of the video saying that some of his guards shown were arrested during mopping-up activities by Sudanese army after the JEM offensive.
The officials said “it is likely that the interview was an old one” because Ibrahim was talking about the JEM conference held months ago.
But Ahmed Sheikh, editor-in-chief of Al-Jazeera television, speaking by phone to Sudan Tribune dismissed the statements made by the Sudanese security officials.
“It is ridiculous and childish. We are getting ready to air the tape. Why would we resurrect an old tape and broadcast it?” he said.
“We have interviewed Khalil [JEM leader] before. In this interview he spoke to us about the attack on Omdurman [Sudan capital twin city]. I don’t understand why they would say something like that” he added.
This is the first time Ibrahim appeared on TV since commanding a lightning attack on the Sudanese capital on May 10th that took the government and international community by surprise. However the Sudanese government managed to repulse the attack and accused Chad of backing JEM in its attempt.
The rebel leader has been on the run the days following the assault and the Sudanese government put a bounty of $250,000 for anyone contributing to the rebel leader’s arrest.
Sheikh said that Al-Jazeera is waiting for the tape to arrive before saying that he could not provide a specific date of when the full interview would be broadcasted.
Asked whether airing the interview may cause retaliation by Khartoum, Sheik said that he does not see that happening.
“Of course it is up to the Sudanese government but we expect their reaction to be rational” he said.
“We have a good working relationship with them [Sudan government]. We are also getting ready to launch a new program called ‘Eyes on Sudan’” he added.
The Sudanese government managed to arrest a number of senior JEM officials attempting to flee the country including Abdel Aziz el-Nur Ashr, who is believed to be the top military commander in the rebel group.
But Khartoum has failed to nab Ibrahim despite their earlier indications that they were getting close to rounding him up. The Sudanese defense minister said the army intercepted a telephone call between JEM leader and the Chadian authorities urging them to send a helicopter to airlift him from the border area.
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Akol Liai Mager
Al-Jazeera TV dismiss Sudan claims on Darfur rebel chief interview
Dr Khalil, you should be cautious or disassociate yourmself from Al Jazeera Network. Al Jazeera may have a blood of Ahmed Shah Massoud in its hand. They (Ajazeera’s board and its journalists) failed to condamn terrorists, their leaders and their acts if they were really blackmailed by trrorist group in regard to the death of Mr Massoud. What happened to the leader of Afghanistan northern Alliance in September 10th must not be given a chance of rpeating itself anywhere in the world and especially in Sudan.
Khalil please, keep an eye on Al Jazeera because one day if not already happened, NIF regime will use Sudan’s resources to do a big and good payment for Al Jazeera’s media to assessinate you.
Mr Khalil, do not try to ignore my concerns as you would not be there to regret being soft on the media. You did not go for armed struggle simply to show up on TV or Newspapers’ front pages. You know the reasons for arming your forces and attack Omdurman.
One mistake has gone, for sending young soldiers to a no return mission in Omdurman, and yet another mistake may be closer to JEM movement and its leader.
I am not A JEM member, but late King Fahad of Saudi Arabia said in 90s ” stopping Saddam worth seeking assistance from a Devil” however, NIF must go, but NIF 2 will be a disaster 2