Sudan informs China it accepts AU forces
April 8, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan informed china of its keenness to reach political solution for Darfur crisis and it accepts the deployment of African Union peacekeepers with the logistical support of the United Nations, the official SUNA reported.
The State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ali Ahmed Karti, during a meeting with the visiting Chinese envoy, Zhai Juan, assured Sudan keenness to reach solution for Darfur conflict according to the recommendations of Addis Ababa meeting which stipulated reactivation of the political solution, and the outcome of Abuja summit which underscored the African nature of the peacekeeping mission in Darfur, besides extension of UN material and technical support.
The state minister criticised the negative signal and impacts that are being reflected through statements of some western officials, saying that such statements cause confusion to the negotiating parties of the UN, the African Union and Sudan government who are working to implement the agreed upon issues.
He further said that these statements give an erroneous feeling to Darfur rebel groups that the international community is fighting Sudan government on behalf of these groups, therefore they are not required to continue the political process, SUNA reported.
The minister informed the Chinese envoy on the facilities that are being provided by the government to the United Nations and international NGOs concerning delivery of humanitarian assistance to the affected people in Darfur.
On March 28, Sudan and the United Nations reached a new agreement designed to facilitate humanitarian groups’ access to refugees in troubled Darfur in Sudan.
Meanwhile, the Chinese envoy said that he visited Darfur and inspected three displaced people camps and a number of schools and hospitals there, explaining that he came out with the impression of stability of the situation in Darfur, and that Sudanese government effort for the interest of the affected people are fruitful.
The Chinese envoy said that the optimum solution for Darfur problem is based on the speeding up of the peace process and enhancement of the humanitarian conditions.
The Sudanese state minister has thanked the Chinese official for his visit to Sudan and praised the stances of China in support of Sudan at the regional and international forums.
On Saturday, the Chinese envoy visited, the Chinese envoy visited Abu Shok, in North Darfur state, and al-Sarif Camp in South Darfur.
As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, China has come under increasing pressure to play a bigger role in influencing the Khartoum government. China buys two-thirds of Sudan’s oil and sells it weapons and military aircraft.
(ST)