France hails peace talks between government and western Sudan rebels

‏PARIS, March 26, 2004 (KUNA) — The French government welcomed on Friday the ‏opening in of peace talks between the Sudanese government and rebels in the ‏‏Darfour region on the border with neighbouring Chad, official sources said.‏
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Foreign Ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous said that Paris hoped the talks, ‏‏which are being held in Chad, would lead to a lasting settlement to the ‏‏fighting in the region that is putting a brake on national reconciliation ‏‏which has already started with other groups in Sudan.‏
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France has had numerous contacts – as high as the level of Foreign Minister ‏‏Dominique de Villepin – with the parties in the region and has promised ‏‏assistance both with the peace efforts and the needed reconstruction and ‏‏development in Sudan.‏

Ladsous said that France appreciated the role of Chad in helping end the ‏‏conflict with the Darfour region. Chad has also been forced to take in tens of ‏‏thousands of refugees fleeing the fighting in Sudan.‏

France called on “all the involved parties” to take part in the talks “in ‏‏an inclusive as possible a manner” and the French authorities are urging all ‏‏to “show proof of a constructive spirit.”