Eritrean President in talks with southern Sudanese leader

Excerpt from report by Eritrean radio on 30 August, BBC Monitoring Africa.

Aug 30, 2005 (Asmara) — President Isayas Afewerki today, 30 August, received and held talks with General Dr Riek Machar, deputy leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement [SPLM] and deputy leader of the government of Southern Sudan.

During the meeting today afternoon at Denden Hall, Gen Riek Machar on behalf of the people and government of Sudan in general and on behalf of the government of Southern Sudan in particular expressed his condolence to President Isayas Afewerki over the death of patriot and veteran fighter Foreign Minister Ali Sayyid Abdallah.

Recalling the historic and brotherly relations between the people of Eritrea and Sudan, Dr Riek commended Eritrea’s positive role in the Sudanese peace process.

President Isayas Afewerki on his part reiterated Eritrea’s continued efforts towards achieving a comprehensive political solution in Sudan. President Isayas also stressed the need to further strengthening the existing brotherly and historic ties between the peoples of Eritrea and Sudan.

In a briefing he gave to local journalists after the meeting, Dr Riek Machar said that the main purpose of their visit was to participate in the funeral service of the late veteran fighter, Ali Sayyid Abdallah and to convey condolences to the people and government of Eritrea and the bereaved family.

He said the late veteran fighter, Ali Sayyid Abdallah was a genuine friend of the Sudanese people and was a supporter of the question of the people of Sudan and was also a person who exerted all his efforts for its success.

Dr Riek Machar said that he briefed President Isayas on the latest developments of the Sudanese peace process and the problems being faced in the implementation of the Naivasha agreement. He also told the journalists that the two sides discussed bilateral issues. [Passage omitted: The delegation led by Dr Riek attended at the burial ceremony].