Sudanese defence minister to meet Egyptian counterpart 2 October in Cairo

Al-Ra’y al-Amm daily newspaper on October 2, 2003

The minister of defence, Staff Maj-Gen Bakri Hasan Salih, will today meet his Egyptian counterpart, Field Marshal Muhammad Husayn Tantawi, to discuss joint military issues and complete talks which started in Cairo several months ago.

With regard to the issue of political participation, Gen Hasan Salih told al-Ra’y al-Amm: “Dialogue is now being held with all political powers in order to reach an agreement in the next round stage. The Sudanese issue is one which concerns all Sudanese people and everybody is asking for the peace process to move forward.”

He added that the government and the [rebel] SPLM [Sudan People’s Liberation Movement] had carried the burden of war and doors were now open to everybody to cooperate in achieving full and just peace.

Salih denied that there was conflict within the government and that the agreement was a result of external pressure.

He pointed out that negotiations were 100 per cent Sudanese- Sudanese talks and the agreement was reached with the approval of both parties and in the country’s interest to end war and achieve peace.

He added that the armed forces were satisfied with the outcome of the agreement.