Bush calls Bechir, Garang to conclude Sudan peace

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush made telephone calls to Sudan’s President Omar al-Beshir and head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army leader John Garang, asking them to resolve final differences ahead of a peace accord, a White House spokesman said.

“Both calls were upbeat and positive,” the spokesman, Scott McClellan said. “The President congratulated each leader on the progress made thus far in the Sudan peace process, and indicated that he was watching the peace process closely.”

“The President encouraged each side to demonstrate the flexibility to resolve their remaining differences and take the final steps to complete a just and comprehensive peace agreement.”

Bush told them that peace in Sudan would make the nation a “beacon of reconciliation,” McClellan noted.

Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha and Garang on Sunday began talks at Naivasha, Kenya, aimed to finalize a global peace accord between the government and southern rebels.

Since 1983, a civil war has pitted the SPLM/A, representing mainly animists and Christians in the south, against successive Arab and Muslim governments in Khartoum, to the north.