Sudan, US to upgrade diplomatic representations

KHARTOUM, Jul 5, 2005 (Xinhua) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail said on Tuesday that Sudan and the United States will upgrade diplomatic representations in months.

Ismail, currently in the Libyan port city of Sirte for an AU summit, told Sudan’s official SUNA news agency that relations between Sudan and the United States are improving, but the ties have not reached normal level.

He said that a joint committee of foreign ministries in the two countries has been established to discuss ways of normalizing bilateral relations.

SUNA also quoted Sudanese Charge d’Affairs in Washington Khidir Haroun as saying that the joint committee finalized its mission on normalization of bilateral ties.

Haroun said that the committee tackled requirements of post-war era in Sudan and US sanctions against Sudan.

In November 1997, the United States imposed economic sanctions against Sudan after it accused Sudan of supporting terrorism and violating human rights.