Sudanese FM, US Rice discuss ways to lift economic sanctions

Sept 18, 2005 (NEW YORK) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail met in New York, on sidelines of the Millennium Summit, with the US Secretary of State, Condoaleeza Rice, and discussed ways of lifting the unilateral economic sanctions.

The sanctions against Sudan has been in place since 1993 when it was put on the State Department list of states that sponsor terrorism.

In a press statement to SUNA, Sudan’s Permanent Envoy at the United Nations, Omer Bashir, said that Ismail discussed with the US Secretary of State the issue of removing the name of Sudan from the American list of countries alleged of supporting terrorism.

Ismail informed Rice about the negative impacts of the American sanctions on Sudan, especially regarding the implementation of the peace agreement.

The bulk of the sanctions are the result of Sudan’s membership on the State Department list of state sponsors of terrorism. Even if Sudan were removed from the list, additional layers of sanctions would prevent the establishment of normal trade and economic ties.

It is unusual for a secretary of state to receive an official from a country on the terrorism list. Ismail was received on July 24 by Rice at the State Department and discussed sanctions issue.

(ST)