Powell optimistic that Sudan government, rebels can reach peace deal by end of year

WASHINGTON, Dec 09, 2003 (AP) — Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed optimism Tuesday that there could be a negotiated peace deal in Sudan by the end of the year.

Powell told a meeting of African officials that “the United States will do everything we can to help the parties achieve that outcome. It is a moment that must not be lost.”

Powell met with the Sudanese parties in Kenya in October and said Tuesday he had been in touch again within the last 10 days.

“I am optimistic that it is possible to achieve the comprehensive settlement by the end of the month,” he said.

And the State Department spokesman, Richard Boucher, cited reports the two sides were starting to have direct discussions.

American diplomats are at the peace table in Kenya, he said.

Africa’s longest running war – 20 years – in its biggest country has left more than 2 million dead, mostly from illness and famine, and made refugees of millions more.

In the civil war, the Muslim-led government in Khartoum has been fighting against rebels in the Christian and animist south.

The Bush administration has offered to consider normalizing relations with the government and lifting sanctions if peace is achieved.

After more than a year of talks, there was a breakthrough in September when the government in Khartoum agreed to let the Sudan People’s Liberation Army retain its military force in the south, the main area of conflict since war began in 1983, for a six-year transition period.

The Bush administration is pushing to get a peace deal signed by the end of the year. But experts say an accord will mark only the first small step toward long-term stability in Sudan, a country with a population of 30 million.