Sudan hails outcome of Paris conference on Darfur

June 25, 2007 (PARIS) — After rejection and suspicion, Sudan has welcomed the outcome of Paris conference on Darfur crisis saying the announced steps support the AU-UN efforts to end Darfur crisis.

The spokesperson of Foreign Ministry, Ali al-Sadiq, said the recent explanation issued by French government on the nature of the meeting shows that the conference is coming in support of Addis Ababa Agreement between Sudanese government, UN and the AU on the deployment of hybrid force to Darfur.

France said one of the objectives of the meeting is to urge the donors to participate in funding the implementation of Hybrid Operation agreement. The conference is also to discuss the issue of holding a conference for Darfur construction.

The spokesperson said Sudan’s reservations about the conference was due to the fact that the conference was organized by the Contact Group to which Sudan is not party. Further, the initiative came a time when UN and AU envoys had taken steps forward on uniting Darfur armed groups opposed to the Abuja Agreement.

He said Sudan was worried that the conference would go against the AU and UN efforts made in that regard, saying France contacted those invited to the conference without contacting or consulting Sudan on the issue.

The French officials told the conference that the priority was finding funding for the new African Union-U.N. peacekeeping force that Sudan agreed to this month, under much international pressure. Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the soldiers need payment.

(ST)