Sudan seeks to “strengthen” ties with USA – FM

KHARTOUM, June 12, 2005 (SUNA) — The minister of foreign affairs, Mustafa Osman Ismail has affirmed that the government’s strategy was to strengthen ties with USA based on mutual respect and benefit.

In a press statement Isma’il said that the Sudanese-American ties were now better than what it was in the past. He said: “We are now trying to take these ties a step forward” pointing out that the existing complications from the US side was that there were many law makers and that pressure groups affected them.

Ismail said that there were on going talks between the two countries through the Khartoum and Washington embassies to resolve outstanding issues.

He said that they were encouraging signs though was still early to talk about a plan for the Sudanese-American ties.

Regarding the resumption of the Cairo talks with the National Democratic Alliance, Mustafa said that it would take place in three stages, the first would be an agreement, the second a tripartite meeting and the third would be the final signing of the agreement which would to take place during a celebrations held for this occasion.