Sudanese minister warns against foreign intervention in western region

By Sudanese radio

KHARTOUM, Dec 18, 2003 — The minister of external relations, Mustafa Uthman Isma’il, has stressed that the Darfur [western Sudan] gunmen are striving to internationalize the Darfur issue. He said he had informed the US charge d’affaires of the aims and goals of the Darfur gunmen, who were striving to prompt organizations and some countries to internationalize the Darfur issue.

The minister asked foreign powers to keep away from this issue, accusing the Eritrean regime of interfering in the matter. He said the government was not for war and was ready for a cease fire, pointing out the Abeche agreement was the basis for the solution.

Dr Mustafa added the government would not accept the right of self-determination, nor the internationalization of the Darfur issue, pointing out that the government was ready to resolve the issue in the framework of a balanced development and a just sharing of power and wealth.

In addition to that, official, public and civil activists in Northern Darfur State announced their denunciation and rejection of the demands made by the Darfur gunmen to the Chadian mediator during the round of talks which collapsed in the Chadian capital, Ndjamena.

BBC Monitoring Middle East