US envoy arrives to Khartoum for talks on Darfur
Dec 9, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The US presidential envoy for Sudan, Andrew S. Natsios, has arrived today to Khartoum where he was received by the state minister at the ministry of foreign Ali Karti.
Natsios, who is received by a state minister at the ministry of foreign affairs for the first time at Khartoum airport, is due to begin on Sunday talks with Sudanese officials, including the Foreign Minister, Lam Akol. He would also visit Darfur and south Sudan.
After his arrival the US envoy told the press that his visit comes for holding talks with the Sudanese leadership on Darfur issue and the situations in South Sudan, pointing out that he will visit Malakal, Abyei and Darfur.
He voiced hope that the visit would be productive and successful.
The spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Ali Al-Saddiq, said that Natsios, in his second to Sudan, is expected to present US proposal for resolving Darfur crisis. Al-Saddiq said that Natsios announced that he would bring in his next visit an outstanding initiative for resolving Darfur crisis.
Last October Natsios during his first visit said he came to get informed about the points of views, without giving any initiative.
Natsios, on Monday 20 November set a deadline of Jan. 1 for Khartoum to make progress on Darfur or have the United States and others resort to what he called “Plan B.” He made clear Khartoum must accept a joint U.N./African Union force in Darfur by Jan. 1 or a tougher line would be taken against Sudan’s government.
The Sudanese official said that the talks with the American official will not tackle the resolution 1706.
The spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said that the government will explain to the American envoy the steps which were adopted, especially the recent extension of the African forces’ mission in Darfur for more six months.
An African peace force of some 7,000 men is currently deployed in Darfur but is under-financed and under-equipped. Its mandate, expiring on January 1, has been extended by six months.
Sudan has agreed to UN logistic and financial support but steadfastly refuses to accept a blue helmet peace force voted for by the Security Council at the end of August.
(ST)