Sudanese vice-president says foreign threats “do not scare us”

KHARTOUM, Feb 18, 2005 (Alwan) — First Vice-President Ali Osman Taha has reiterated Sudan’s commitment to its national choices to face up to any foreign threats or UN sanctions threats.

He also affirmed that any violation of our honour or values would only make Sudan more determined to pursue its policies, and that any attempt in this regard would be defeated.

He went on to say: If any foreign power tries to undermine our policies, we will mobilize ourselves once again and fight to recover our peace.

He further said: Foreign threats do not scare us as we have been used to pressures, sanctions and hardship.

In his speech at a public rally at Al-Fula, the Western Kordofan State capital, and in Al-Nuhud town, he said that the Sudanese people were united in their determination to achieve peace, and that the movement Kordofan’s Sudanese National Movement should come forward assured that there would be peace as there was no other way to bring stability in the country.

He added, however, that a number of foreign powers are trying anew to block our way once they saw that we had managed to end the war and made peace.

The first vice-president urged the setting up a broader front that would reflect unity between all the political forces ahead of the next phase which would require a united front that would guarantee peace in Sudan and serve its people.

Ali Osman Taha asserted that foreign conspiracy always looks for a way in. Before it created the north-south problem and now it is looking to foment inter-tribal conflict, Darfur is the best example, he added.

He said that the Darfur issue will be resolved in a just manner in line with the peace agreement which gave an opportunity to all Sudanese to participate in their country’s political life.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.