Sudanese envoy in France for talks over Darfur forces

Oct 9, 2006 (PARIS) — A Sudanese Presidential Advisor arrived today here to explain the position of his government over deployment of the international forces in the troubled region of Darfur.

The presidential envoy, Gazi Salah Eddin Attabani, Tuesday is expected to meet the French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy to describe why Khartoum rejects the transfer of the African Union forces mandate the UN peacekeepers in Darfur.

French president Jacques Chirac urged Sudan three times during last September to accept the UN forces takeover in Darfur.

Minister Douste-Blazy earlier in September said “Khartoum is going to have to accept the presence of a United Nations force in the region”, adding “”There is a humanitarian drama going on in Darfur. It is terrible, disastrous.”

In the past, France had flexible stand towards the Sudanese regime. But, Paris with the crisis of Darfur showed impatience with Khartoum. Darfur conflict seems directly threatens its interests in the region.

Analyst said Attabani would try to persuade France not to join the tough position adopted by USA and the UK calling for military intervention in Darfur without the consent of the Sudanese government.

(ST)