Sudanese Islamist leader says peace deal being “imposed” by USA

By Sudanese opposition Democratic Unionist Party site

KHARTOUM, Dec 12, 2003 — The secretary-general of the [opposition] Popular National Congress [PNC] and Islamic leader, Hasan al-Turabi, has accused the USA of exerting pressure on the negotiating parties (the government and Garang’s movement) in Naivasha [Kenya] and not playing the role of a mediator.

He said: “The agreement has been imposed from above, and if pressure increases this will either destroy the agreement or else we will play the hypocrite in fear of the pressure being exerted on us”.

Talking to Sudanese radio for the first time since he left his position of Speaker at the National Assembly (Parliament) approximately three years ago, he commented on the transitional period and said: “We do not want this transitional period to be totalitarian because we believe in a way of life which is comprehensive and not aimed at power. If we continue with a centralized power which has all the wealth in its hands, then there will be neither peace nor justice among the people.”

BBC Monitoring Middle East