Sudan urges US to press Darfur rebels to last chance talks
October 6, 2007 (KHARTOUM) –- Sudan has requested the US Administration to send a clear message to rebel groups that Tripoli talks represent the last time to discuss the end of the four year-crisis in western Sudan region of Darfur.
Sudanese Presidential Advisor Mustafa Osman Ismail delivered the demand to the U.S. side as receiving the US president envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios.
Ismail said he “asked the U.S. administration to send a clear message to the Darfur rebel movements that the coming round of peace talks would be the last chance for returning Darfur to its normal status.” The official SUNA reported.
He added that the internal, regional and international atmosphere was ready and encouraging for the success of the upcoming negotiations despite the fact that “some elements were trying to obstruct the peace efforts and foil the negotiations.”
The delegation of the Sudanese government will go to the peace talks with open heart without any preconditions which is to give the various Darfur factions a chance to come up with the issues they want to be discussed and reviewed in the negotiations, the Sudanese presidential advisor underscored.
The Sudanese official said he also asked the American envoy to make more contacts with the Darfur rebels to ensure that the largest possible number of rebel factions would take part in the negotiations.
Natsios, who visited both south Sudan and the troubled western region of Darfur, condemned last week’s attack on an African Union base in Haskanita, south Darfur, which left 10 peacekeepers dead.
Ismail will leave Sunday to the Libyan capital Tripoli to deliberate on the preparations being made by Libya to host the forthcoming negotiations between the government and Darfur rebel groups on 27 October.
(ST)