Sudanese minister of state for defense Maj. Gen. Elfatih Erwa secretly meets with U.S. Ambassador Timothy Carney and CIA officers in Hyatt hotel room in Rosslyn, Virginia with the purpose of opening a back channel discussion on how to get Sudan off the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The CIA produces a list, asking for the names of Osama bin Laden associates, their passport numbers, and dates of travel; about al Qaeda camps and finances, and any information about plots.
It is the first of many meetings, and later, the U.S. pushes Sudan to expel bin Laden. Erwa argues that it is better for him to remain in Sudan, where the government can keep an eye on him. After Saudi Arabia says it will not accept bin Laden if he is deported, Erwa warns that bin Laden would likely go back to Afghanistan. The Americans reportedly says “let him go.” Within months, bin Laden is gone – the Sudanese exacting some revenge, confiscating his businesses and assets.