Sudan Spies For US In Iraq: Indeed We Are A Strong Partner In the War on Terror!

Posted on June 14, 2007
Filed Under Sudan, Iraq, Darfur, America |

You know what? Make that super strong partner.

WASHINGTON — Sudan has secretly worked with the CIA to spy on the insurgency in Iraq, an example of how the U.S. has continued to cooperate with the Sudanese regime even while condemning its suspected role in the killing of tens of thousands of civilians in Darfur.

Yaaaay to my government! Next time I visit the United States I won’t be held for 2 hours of questioning or “soft interrogations”. There will be a red carpet spread before me as I descend from my plane. By then Paris Hilton will already be out of jail and she’ll be anxiously waiting for me in person at the airport by the open door of a stretched Hummer limo. Oprah will be waiting there too with lots of cotton candy specially prepared for me. They’ll kneel on the ground, kiss my hand and proclaim “oh citizen of the great Sudan, we are so delighted to have you here amongst us. What an honor it is to be kneeling before you. We welcome you with wide-open arms, as all Sudanese citizens ought to be welcomed. After all, your glorious government is aiding ours in our fight against super evil al-Qaeda. Together we shall defeat them, together we shall be glorious and together we shall bring them to justice.”

More later… (and more also on Sudan’s conditional acceptance of UN troops in Darfur).

UPDATE:

Okay, it’s now time for some serious thoughts. First of all, what the hell is the LA Times doing releasing such a report at this time? By revealing that some Sudanese in Iraq are spying for the US, they’ve basically made most, if not all Sudanese there a target for al-Qaeda. Great. Let’s celebrate!

Most of the things stated in the article are old news. I found nothing new except for the fact that Sudan is helping the US spy in Iraq. I’ve always known there was cooperation between the Sudanese intelligence and the CIA but I didn’t know it was that extensive. However I expect many people who are in the dark to find this news very surprising, which brings us to the lovely question of how the US can praise and partner with a government which at the same time it accuses of genocide. Why the contradicting behavior and continuing mixed signals? Here are my summarized observations.

There is a struggle within the US government on what to do about Darfur, hence the mixed signals and contradicting behavior.

Bush values the Sudanese intel on terror (which I presume has started increasing in value again recently). That’s why if you examine the sanctions closely, they aren’t really meant to be tough sanctions but a warning. The White House’s language towards Sudan was very hostile previously. It isn’t anymore but that’s not to say that the White House has stopped pressuring Sudan.

Darfur is not really a high priority for Bush. Maybe even he himself, just like Natsios doesn’t regard it as genocide anymore. Of course he can’t say that openly. Moreover he can’t give that impression at all. He and his party are accountable to voters. Natsios is not. That’s why he’s pretty straightforward when compared to Bush. Plus Natsios after visiting Sudan a few times now seems to understand the situation well. I’ve noticed how his opinions have enhanced since the time he took up the position. He also seems to understand that intervention will do little to solve the problem and achieve long-term peace.

On the other hand, I’ve noticed from news reports that almost every high government official who has recently called for intervention and bombing Sudan is a left-leaning liberal or a Donkey. The Elephant right doesn’t really have Darfur on its radar (even though there are some within it who have regime change in mind). The Elephant right is way more concerned with Iraq, Iran’s nuclear program, Afghanistan, terrorism etc.

Also during the Clinton era, the American approach towards Sudan was very isolationist. It isn’t really so under Bush at the moment. As for now, we can be certain about one thing. The labeling party has begun. Sudan and America, the new hypocrites, or so some people say.

Anyways, I’m glad there’s cooperation between both sides. Besides kicking Turabi out of government and putting him on house arrest previously, this is another move by al-Bashir which I support. We’ve got to focus on doing what’s in our interests as Sudanese.

As for Sudan’s acceptance of UN-AU troops in Darfur, do not forget that it is conditional. There are demands that the force be fully comprised of soldiers from African countries and that it be under AU control. Those 2 things still need to be worked out. I wasn’t so excited when I first heard the news since I thought it was the old usual “let’s waste more time” tactic. I view things differently now. I’m actually quite ecstatic over the development but I’m just being a little cautious and I’d advise you to be too.

Comments

29 Responses to “Sudan Spies For US In Iraq: Indeed We Are A Strong Partner In the War on Terror!”

  1. Sheema on June 14th, 2007 4:07 am

    LOL Drima….just read your ‘Top 10 Rules’….we should meet up sometime!! :-D

    Anyway just wanted to say hi, read your comment on Ray Hanania’s Mideast Youth post on Lina Joy…agree with what you said too.

    All the best and hope you’re enjoying your studies in Malaysia!

  2. Craig on June 14th, 2007 5:02 am

    Speaking of rules:

    9) If you don’t like the project I’m involved in and part of at Mideast Youth then too bad ‘cause most probably that just means you’re another narrow-minded person who’s too pissed off to let go of anger and ignorant stereotypes. Civilized dialogue with Israelis and Jews is a pleasant and mind-opening experience. You should try it sometime.

    Excuse me, Drima, but I’ve seen an awful lot of “ignorant stereotypes” on display, right there on that blog. Bashing the US and insulting Americans seems to give some of the people there particular pleasure.

    I’ve seen that dirtbag girl Ezra promoting herself as some sort of second coming of the Christ a few times with her claims of tolerance and open-mindedness, but she’s the worst bigot of them all. Excuse me while I scoff.

  3. Andrew Brehm on June 14th, 2007 9:08 am

    “I’ve seen that dirtbag girl Ezra promoting herself ”

    Ok, that is too much.

    You don’t even know her! She has gone through a lot of crap for her blog and project and has shown an amazing level of tolerance towards opinions she vehemently disagrees with.

    And whatever you think about her, you do not have the right to call her (or any girl) names.

  4. Craig on June 14th, 2007 6:31 pm

    Andrew,

    You don’t even know her! She has gone through a lot of crap for her blog and project and has shown an amazing level of tolerance towards opinions she vehemently disagrees with.

    That’s not true. She is completely INTOLERANT of anything relating to the US. She is also abusive, and dishonest.

    And whatever you think about her, you do not have the right to call her (or any girl) names.

    Yes, I do. She has made personal attacks on me before. And she’s called me names, before. I’ll call her whatever I want, and if you don’t like it, to hell with you. I won’t have you dictating when and how I respond to abusive bigots.

  5. Craig on June 14th, 2007 6:35 pm

    And another thing, Andrew… I don’t care enough about that blog to comment anymore. I tried it once about a year and a half ago and that shithead Ezra and her sidekick Jina were so abusive towards me and my country that I was sick to my stomach thinking their opinions were typical of “mid-east youth”. If I see either on any of the blogs I’m a regular on, I’ll tear them a new asshole. And if that is the best of “mid-east youth” then the mid-east is doomed.

  6. Andrew Brehm on June 14th, 2007 7:04 pm

    “And another thing, Andrew… I don’t care enough about that blog to comment anymore.” Blah blah blah….I dont wanna hear it you whiny bitch…go tear yourself a new asshole. I just want to eat pineapples and oranges. Leave me and my comments alone. Sheez…why do you even bother talking. There is no point in talking if you have NOTHING TO SAY!

  7. Craig on June 14th, 2007 9:15 pm

    Andrew, you’re the one who started lecturing me. How do you know I “don’t even know her” - I ran into her before I ever even saw your name on any of these blogs. And who are you to call me down for insulting her? You just insulted me, did you not? Who the fuck do you think you are, the blog police?

    If you want to sing that skank’s praises go for it, but don’t try to tell me what an appropriate reaction to her, by me, is. That’s none of your business.

  8. halalhippie on June 14th, 2007 10:57 pm

    Craig and Andrew, excuse me if I adress the topic. Notice “Sudan has secretly worked with the CIA to spy on the insurgency in Iraq”

    Working with - not for the CIA.
    It could be in Sudan’s best interest to know what’s going on in Iraq. Being informed is not a bad thing.

  9. Finnpundit on June 15th, 2007 12:43 am

    That’s great news that Sudan is cooperating more with the CIA.

    No doubt there will be those who will condemn the dialogue as some sort of a contradiction akin to “doublespeak”. But those are the ones who also condemn America’s support for dictators while ignoring America’s pressures on such dictators at the same time.

    Needless to say, they seem to be more comfortable when America simply says “if you’re not with us, then you’re against us”. Such a stance, obviously, will then permit them to condemn the US for seeing the world in black-and-white terms, instead of shades of grey.

    It’s all based on anti-American bigotry which, in the long run, permits the US to completely ignore their viewpoints and act even more unilaterally.

    Which is a good thing, obviously.

  10. tsedek on June 15th, 2007 5:13 am

    A…. Ezra and her ……… Jina were so abusive towards me and my country that I was sick to my stomach……..”

    I found out that it’s not intended. They really WANT to be ‘liberal’ and ‘balanced’ and ‘objective’ - only don’t realize how very much they’re sunk in their stigmatized values about certain subjects and unable to raise above them. So much so that they indeed hurt ‘the other’ and ironically so in exactly the same manner they complain about being hurt BY the ‘other’. That’s very typical. The only REAL FAKE is Ray Hanania, because at least Esra’a doesn’t realize she’s hurting others - but he does and plays the ‘moderate angel’ stuffing everybody else with a different opinion under the lable ‘haters’.

    Tse.

  11. tsedek on June 15th, 2007 5:26 am

    Btw Drima, Sudanese refugees keep on arriving in Israel. Last week some 70 have crossed the border. Of course, the police and every other official institution keep their hands from them, not helping them and shoving the responsibility for their stay here on each-other so that they end up without having someone being responsible for them at all. However, there is a hotel chain here though that has taken them under its wings and now they’re working for the hotels while also being housed and fed in and by them.

    This week even Bedouins got involved and helped.

    (I say ‘even’ because they themselves are not the wealthiest of people in Israel)

    Take care ;)

  12. Andrew Brehm on June 15th, 2007 11:09 am

    Timestamp…

  13. Andrew Brehm on June 15th, 2007 11:16 am

    Drima, can you please look up the email address and/or IP address of the “Andrew Brehm” posting at 7:04 PM yesterday?

    It appears that Craig was unable to determine by himself that I don’t use the words prominently featured in that post (and I also don’t use terms like “dont” or “wanna”).

    Furthermore, I would not usually post without making use of paragraphs.

    I hope Craig has learned a lesson about using bad words. He seemed quite upset when he found himself addressed suchly.

  14. Troy Z on June 16th, 2007 3:35 am

    …Jeez, here I was thinking this would open a discussion on the strategic validity and the human costs of declared diplomatic alliances. However, I don’t wish to punish myself by obsessive-compulsiving my way by counting up the ratio of replies that are actually on topic regarding this post.

    So: I would like to declare this news item as further demonstration that the alliances of the United States should be rooted in a demand of reciprocal level of human rights with their partners.

    China had Most-Favored-Nation status regarding trade with the United States for years before it joined the WTO, and circulation of the iconic image of a lone protestor facing down a Chinese tank is an arrestable offense. The right to a free press, assembly, and association is not guaranteed in China, and, furthermore, their government ended up buying most of our national debt. Saudi Arabia is billed as our staunchest ally in the GWOT, and apostasy is an executable offense there, the Judicial system can be based upon royal whim, and a black hole of censorship is the expected status quo. Hell, they don’t even have a single movie theater in the entire Kingdom. This further proves that our “engagement” does nothing for the much-revered liberties of our partners’ citizenry, and in Sudan’s case, does nothing for their very lives.

    People will often include in their rhetoric “Let’s See What Happens When [ numerical amount of X Group ] Jumps,” so I would just as soon put forth the notion that “Let’s See What Happens When 300 Million American Consumers Jump,” however, the trick is organizing and displaying the ancillary costs to our credibility in promoting liberty and democracy. Hey, I want to be aboard the neo-con ideal of promoting such ideals worldwide, but I have no proof that anyone, conservative or liberal, is ready to tell us like adults that we are going to have to hurt for awhile regarding our demands for cheap labor and foreign petroproducts in order to make it happen.

  15. Finnpundit on June 16th, 2007 1:39 pm

    So: I would like to declare this news item as further demonstration that the alliances of the United States should be rooted in a demand of reciprocal level of human rights with their partners.

    I don’t mind that. However, keep in mind that property rights are more important than human rights. The US must demand reciprocal property rights from any trading partner first. Human rights need to be a secondary concern.

    You cannot have human rights without first having strong property rights.

  16. Roman Kalik on June 16th, 2007 6:05 pm

    Not just property rights, Finnpundit, but also an economic reality in which said property rights actually mean something. What is required is a strong middle-class.

  17. Finnpundit on June 17th, 2007 1:48 am

    Roman, I think we basically agree. However, property rights guarantee a certain kind of an economic reality, and wind up spawning a strong middle-class.

    Property rights generate the kind of legal traditions and structures on which human rights can be built. If you examine the evolution of legal traditions, you’ll find that human rights jurisprudence takes its cues from principles established in the defense of property rights.

    A great failure of communism and socialism, for example, was that they put great store in all kinds of human rights while eliminating property rights. Once property rights were gone, human rights abuses multiplied exponentially.

  18. Roman Kalik on June 17th, 2007 6:36 am

    Prosperity requires economic stability, and that the law be upheld. I agree that the proper legal system is a requirement, but laws don’t generate trade, bring investmens, or even protect from corruption if those on top are self-interested morons.

    A law can be merely a meaningless jumble of words.

    But yes, essentially we agree.

  19. Drima on June 18th, 2007 3:45 pm

    Andrew, you’re right that wasn’t you posting at 7.04pm, the IP indicated someone from Texas. The retard has been leaving some weird racist comments in a few previous posts too. I blacklisted him so hopefully he won’t be messing around anymore.

    Craig, I’ve known Esra’a for almost a year now and believe me even though she has a notorious temper, she only means well. Not only that but like Andrew said, you don’t know the kind of stuff she gets put through for running that site (the hacking attempts, the hate mail, the threats etc.) which most of the time are just simply because of the fact that Israelis post there. Whatever is between you and her, is between you and her. Even though Esra’a played the biggest role in growing MEY, please remember that her opinions are not representative of the site.

    And now let’s get back to the issue at hand (yes finally I have some time)…

    Troy,

    “So: I would like to declare this news item as further demonstration that the alliances of the United States should be rooted in a demand of reciprocal level of human rights with their partners.”

    And that’s why as a Sudanese I prefer closer relations with United States when compared to relations with China, a country which doesn’t really give a hoot about human rights. That’s not saying that America is an angel obviously, but it’s way better when compared to China.

  20. Roman Kalik on June 18th, 2007 4:41 pm

    Drima, this guy from Texas, is he Dr. Whatshisname who posted on the Eyes on Darfur post,as well as the guy who posted the 12th reply there?

  21. Drima on June 18th, 2007 4:47 pm

    Yup!

  22. Roman Kalik on June 18th, 2007 5:19 pm

    He *was* weird. It felt like he was either deliberately trying to anger people, or thinking it was all some kind of huge joke. Or both.

    The mentality of a ten-year-old, though he wrote far too well to be your average idiot kid.

  23. Andrew Brehm on June 19th, 2007 12:10 pm

    I also notice that he has a weird fixation on Dublin:

    “address: 419 Chesterfield Road, Dublin, Ireland, U.K., Europe, Eastern Hemisphere, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe number 41 1/2. (approximately)”

    That’s the “address” he gave in a posting.

    (We are not currently part of the UK, of course.)

    Incidentally, Dublin is west of Greenwich, not in the “Eastern Hemisphere”. I’m not sure he has the correct universe number either.

  24. Andrew Brehm on June 19th, 2007 1:41 pm

    “First of all, what the hell is the LA Times doing releasing such a report at this time? By revealing that some Sudanese in Iraq are spying for the US, they’ve basically made most, if not all Sudanese there a target for al-Qaeda. Great. Let’s celebrate!”

    The western media measure freedom of press by the number of people killed after publishing an article.

  25. Roman Kalik on June 19th, 2007 2:17 pm

    I see it more as a “Freedom of Press = Freedom from Consequences” kind of thing. This is purely a matter of common sense (or lack thereof) in the heads of the paper editors.

  26. Global Voices Online » Sudan: UN-AU Troops in Darfur, Ridiculously Expensive Nursery School, Wildlife Returning in South Sudan and Reactions Towards Sudanese Gay Blogger on June 24th, 2007 7:40 am

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