US affirms commitment to work for united Sudan

Oct 20, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, affirmed the US Administration’s commitment to work with the Government of National Unity to build a united Sudan of peace and stability.

This came in a message received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lam Akol, from his American counterpart, congratulating him on the advent of Eid Al Fitr, the official SUNA reported.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ali Al-Sadeq, said that the message affirmed the continuation of Washington in working to assist Sudan in the full implementation of the Naivasha and Abuja peace agreements.

The spokesman added that Rice expressed hope that the joint Sudanese-American efforts would lead to realizing peace in Darfur and support the unity of Sudan.

Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir said Tuesday 19 September that there is a plan to divide Sudan and to redraw the region. “The main purpose is the security of Israel. Any state in the [Middle east] should be weakened, dismembered in order to protect the Israelis, to guarantee the Israeli security,” he said.

Sudan has rejected a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted on Aug. 31 authorizing up to 22,500 troops and police to replace the cash-strapped and ill-equipped AU troops.

(ST)