LAT: "Two eyewitnesses say that former lobbyist Jack Abramoff proposed to sell his services to the much-criticized government of Sudan to help improve its abysmal reputation in the United States, especially among Christian evangelicals who were campaigning against human rights violations in the troubled African nation. Khidir Haroun Ahmed, Sudan's ambassador to the United States, said in an interview that Abramoff proposed a multimillion-dollar lobbying contract in late 2001 but that the proposal was "never seriously considered" by the Sudanese. He declined to elaborate. [...] The former [Abramoff] associate said the ex-lobbyist discussed the possible contract while sitting with the ambassador in Abramoff's skybox at Washington's Fed-Ex field during a Redskin football game in late 2001. The former associate, who did not want to be named out of fear it might damage future business opportunities, said that Abramoff proposed a $16- to $18-million contract — 'a staggering sum' for the destitute nation — but one that the lobbyist considered reasonable because international disapproval was so costly to Sudan's economy." Abramoff's spokesman told the paper that it was Abramoff's associate who discussed any contract specifics with the Sudanese ambassador, and that Abramoff berated the ambassador for Sudan's treatment of Christians.

Posted by Laura at April 4, 2006 07:41 AM