Darfur is an alibi for US to put pressure on Sudan – FM

Dec 9, 2005 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese Foreign Minister, Lam Akol, said some American quarters exercise pressure on Sudan using the question of Darfur saying such an approach would be a strategic mistake.

Akol pointed out in an interview with the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) on the occasion of the issuance of the Darfur Act by the US Congress that he believed many wise persons in the USA would not miss such a point.

The Minister said the United States has been one of the countries that worked for the realization of peace in the Sudan and that it signed as a witness on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and committed itself to helping the parties to its implementation.

He said the USA would not take all these steps while at the same time call for the imposition on sanctions on Sudan that make the implementation of the agreement a difficult enterprise, saying he did not believe the US administration was involved in this act.

The Minister pointed out that he believed the US sanctions could not be lifted in a day and night , saying lifting of sanctions could be effected through dialogue between the two parties and that this dialogue has already started.

The Minister welcomed any American visits to the Sudan for that end.

The Foreign Minister has meanwhile said efforts are underway to contain the recent tension between the Sudan and Chad and that he recently met the Chadian Foreign Minister and that dialogue was initiated on the matter, expressing hope that the near future would witness an overture in this regard.

The Minister explained that the Sudanese government has always sought to contain the situation and that it has never opted for an escalation. On his recent visit to Eritrea and his talks with officials there, the minister said that the talks took place in a cordial atmosphere and achieved the desired objectives.

(ST)