Russian FM calls Sudanese counterpart over Darfur

MOSCOW, Aug 24, 2004 (ITAR-TASS) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed Moscow’s position on settling the situation in the province of Darfur during a telephone conversation with his Sudanese counterpart Mustafa Osman Ismail, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported today.

The ministers exchanged views on “ways the international community can help return the situation to normal in this part of Sudan, primarily in the humanitarian field”.

Moscow believes the UN Security Council resolution passed last month sends a clear signal to the Sudanese government and the insurgents regarding the need to meet their commitments as soon as possible, primarily in terms of disarming all illegal groups.

The resolution, proposed by the USA and a number of other countries, was passed by 13 members of the Security Council, including Russia.