Sudan denies receiving WMD from Syria

KHARTOUM, Sudan, April 14, 2004 (PANA) — Authorities in Khartoum have categorically denied Western media reports that Syria smuggled weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to Sudan in an apparent move aimed to free Syrian arsenal from being subjected to possible international inspection.

In a press statement issued in Khartoum, foreign minister Mustafa Osman Ismail described the allegations as “untrue and baseless fabrications that came from well-known organizations that have been repeating such claims against Sudan”.

Local dailies quoted Western intelligence sources last week as saying the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been flying shipments of Scud C and Scud D extended-range missiles as well as WMD components to warehouses in Khartoum since January 2004. The sources said the Syrian shipments to Khartoum were placed on civilian airliners but authorised and directed by the Syrian Defence Ministry.

“Such accusations came at a time when the peace agreement in Sudan is about to be signed and it’s a kind of dirty game and conspiracy,” Ismail said in the statement Tuesday.

He pointed out that such allegations were intended to pose more intensive pressure on the Sudanese government, and affirmed that Sudan is maintaining control on its air space as well as land and water areas.