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Sudan Prez: No Crimes in Darfur

Says media claims are part of propaganda campaign

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 12, 2009 2:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sudan’s president says his military hasn’t attacked civilians in Darfur and challenges “anybody” to show evidence to the contrary. “What has been reported to have happened in Darfur did not actually happen at all,” Omar al Bashir told the BBC in his first interview since being charged with war crimes. “What happened in Darfur was an insurgency. The state has the responsibility to fight the rebels.”

“We have never fought against our citizens, we have not killed our citizens,” the president said. “Any talk about crimes committed inside Darfur is a hostile and organized media propaganda to tarnish the reputation of the government and is a part of the declared war against our government.” The war crimes charges are based in a Western, neo-colonial bid to conquer Sudan, he said.

Supporters of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir chant slogans during his visit to the western Darfur town of Zalengi, Sudan, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
Supporters of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir chant slogans during his visit to the western Darfur town of Zalengi, Sudan, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, center, addresses supporters during his visit to the western Darfur town of Zalengi, Sudan, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, center, addresses supporters during his visit to the western Darfur town of Zalengi, Sudan, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir attends the closing session of the Arab summit in Doha, Qatar, Monday, March 30, 2009.
Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir attends the closing session of the Arab summit in Doha, Qatar, Monday, March 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Mr.C
May 13, 2009 1:05 AM CDT
^formatting didn't work out - the first line is, "On the contrary"
Mr.C
May 13, 2009 1:04 AM CDT
on the contrary before and after satellite images: http://www.eyesondarfur.org/sa... photo of burning house http://preview.tinyurl.com/cne... videos by an AU observer http://preview.tinyurl.com/p2h...
Fondue
May 12, 2009 11:55 AM CDT
Yeah, and it's a cool 72 degrees in the summer and a brisk 65 in winter.

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