Sudan rejects Congressmen’s request to probe involvement of gov’t officials in terror

KHARTOUM, Feb 12, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — Sudanese government has strongly reacted to the demand of members of the US Congress to open an inquiry on the alleged Sudan’s support to terrorism, the daily al-Sahafa said today.

Government officials consider this request as “pressure on Sudan to reach a peace agreement through the talks in Kenya”.

Sudan Foreign minister, Mustafa Osman Ismail, accused some members of the US Congress of “being hostile to Sudan and try to torpedo the peace process”.

He indicated there were elements within the US Congress, like Donald Payne, “who were always against any initiative by Sudan to end the war and achieve peace”.

The minister added that he would convey the government’s view to the US delegation, which is currently visiting the country.

Congressmen Donald M. Payne and Thomas Tancredo, in a letter addressed to President Bush, requested to investigate the direct or indirect involvement of Sudanese government officials in support of terrorism and terror groups over the past decade.