US’s Rice visits Sudan in November to discuss peace implementation

Oct 29, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice will visit Khartoum next November to boost the implementation of the peace agreement and dealing with sensitive issues in the joint relations dossier, the Sudanese al-Ayam news paper reported.

In this regard, a high-ranking delegation led by the US deputy Secretary of State, Robert Zoellick would be visiting Khartoum immediately after the end of Ramadan holiday within one week.

Zoellick’s visit would be followed by an American Congress delegation in preparation for Rice’s visit. Both delegations will discuss with officials here the progress of the peace agreement and joint relations.

The newspaper said Washington has expressed concern over the slow implementation of the peace agreement, and the inclusion of personalities – hostiles to the peace deal – Washington considers as eagles, in the latest government formation.

“The peace process in Sudan is now very important to American public opinion. This is what led to the setting up of a special committee on Sudan in the Congress, which according to its founders, is aimed at maintaining the increasing importance of Sudan with decision makers” al-Ayam added.

The next few days would see intense communications between the two countries to reshape joint relations adding that they expected the exchange of visits by high-ranking officials would lead to an improvement in relations.

For the first time, Sudanese First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit will be visiting Washington to discuss on going American sanctions against Sudan and their detrimental effect on the peace process.

The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jamal Mohamed Ibrahim had previously criticized setting up of the committee on Sudan in the Congress as it included a number of renowned personalities from pressure groups in the United States.

(ST)