US’s Zoellick in UK to discuss Darfur peace deal

May 16, 2006 (LONDON) — U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick arrived Tuesday for talks with U.K. officials, and to discuss a new peace deal agreed for Sudan’s Darfur region.

Zoellick is to discuss implementation of the deal with U.K. Treasury chief Gordon Brown, part of a two-day visit.

Zoellick and U.K. international development secretary Hilary Benn helped broker the May 5 peace agreement signed by the Sudanese government and Darfur’s main rebel group.

Implementation of the agreement and planning for a U.N. peacekeeping force to take control of an African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Darfur are expected to be discussed.

Zoellick is also due to meet David Cameron, leader of the main opposition Conservative party, Wednesday afternoon.

“They are likely to discuss international environment policy and a number of international policy issues,” said a spokeswoman for David Cameron, speaking on customary condition of anonymity in line with policy.

Zoellick is due to leave the U.K. later Wednesday to head to the Netherlands for talks with Dutch counterparts.

(ST/AP)