Sudanese security chief visits London – BBC

Mar 11, 2006 (LONDON) — A top Sudanese official suspected of involvement in mass killings in Darfur province has been on a secret visit to London, the BBC reported.

Salah Abdallah Gosh, head of Sudan’s national security and intelligence service, was in London last week to get medical treatment.

Gosh is said to be the third in command in the Sudanese hierarchy dealing with Darfur.

He also had close links with Western intelligence agencies, particularly with the US Central Intelligence Agency.

In April 2005 Sudan’s intelligence chief held secret meeting in Washington aimed at cementing cooperation against terrorism.

CIA and Sudanese Mukhabarat officials have met regularly over the last few years, but Gosh had been seeking an invitation to Washington in recognition of his government’s efforts, sources told The Los Angeles Times. The CIA, hoping to seal the partnership, extended the invitation.

The US embassy in London declined to comment last night on whether any US officials had met Mr Gosh during his stay in London.

(ST)

The BBC story is available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4791782.stm