"Allegations are untrue" says Sudanese president (Roundup)

Jan 21, 2008, 14:55 GMT

Ankara - Sudanese President Omar El Bashir on Monday brushed off criticism of the appointment to his personal staff a Janjaweed leader suspected of involvement in ethnic cleansing in Darfur saying that allegations he was involved in murders was blatantly wrong.

'These allegations (against Musa Hilal) are untrue and we definitely do not believe them,' Bashir said in Ankara where he was on a two-day official visit.

The New York-based Human Rights watch on Sunday said Hilal was a 'poster child for Janjaweed atrocities' in Darfur and described his appointment as a special advisor to the president as 'a slap in the face to Darfur victims'.

The U.N. Security Council imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Hilal in 2006.

Asked to respond to the allegations at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, Bashir said Hilal was an active and effective leader in Darfur.

'Those who are carrying out the true murders in the area are those getting help from Europe,' Bashir said.

Bashir arrived in Ankara Monday afternoon where he received a full military ceremonial welcome before talks with Gul.

The two leaders acknowledged Turkey's efforts to end suffering in Darfur and Gul announced that Turkish investors would soon start work on an industrial park in Sudan. The two leaders also agreed to deepen economic and political ties.

The visit has been condemned by human rights groups.

'It's surprising that the Turkish government has chosen to honour a foreign leader responsible for massive human rights violations,' said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch in a statement posted on the group's website. 'The Turkish authorities should affirm their commitment to human rights principles by calling on Bashir to end the atrocities in Darfur.'

Bashir was to be guest of honour at a state dinner Monday night before flying to Istanbul on Tuesday for meetings with the business community.