Sudan says Danish minister of defence un-welcomed
Jan 31, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has turned down a visit by Denmark’s defence minister and urged all firms to boycott Danish products over the publication of cartoons deemed offensive to Islam, the official news agency SUNA reported.
Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir, instructed the Minister of Defence to reject a request to visit Sudan by the Danish Minister of Defence.
This rejection over publication of cartoons disrespectful to the Prophet Mohammed by a Danish news paper as well as the stance of the Danish government.
Al-Bashir affirmed that Sudan would not allow any official from Denmark to visit its territories before an official apology by the Danish government to the Islamic world over the insult against Prophet Mohamed.
This came when the President was addressing a reception organized by the National Congress Party to receive number of partisan leaders who joined the ranks of the ruling National Congress.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence, Gen. Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein, said Sudan rejected a request by his Danish Counterpart to visit Khartoum because of the insults by a Danish newspaper against the honourable Prophet Mohamed. The Minister explained that Sudan categorically rejects all sorts of disrespect to Islam and all the divine religions.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on its part, urged the Sudanese companies to immediately cease dealings and financial transactions with Danish companies and commodities in protest for this insult against the Prophet and Islam.
There is no diplomatic representation between Khartoum and Copenhagen.
(ST)