Sudan foreign minister, US official discuss bilateral ties, Darfur crisis
January 12, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese foreign minister today said he tackled with the visiting US official on the bilateral relations and the ongoing efforts to end the five year conflict in western Sudan region of Darfur.
Alor further said following his meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas Greenfield, that the meeting dealt with the situation in the province of Darfur and the position of the Sudanese government regarding deployment of international troops in that province.
Talks by UN and US officials with Sudanese government aim at persuading Khartoum to approve a list of troops contributors that includes units from Thailand and Nepal, as well as an engineering unit from Nordic countries. But Sudan insists on the African character of the Hybrid Operation.
Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Ali Al-Sadiq said ithat the meeting touched on boosting the political process in Darfur and accusations made by some circles against Sudan of obstructing the hybrid operation.
In this connection, the minister of foreign affairs said Sudan has extended much for the deployment of the troops of the hybrid operation and is still extending more to realize the aspired goal of realization of peace all over Darfur.
For her part, the US official said the meeting tackled the bilateral relations, pointing out that there are issues under discussions, pointing out that dialogue would solve them.
Responding to the press, Greenfield asserted that the incident of the killing of the US diplomat would not affect the diplomatic relations between Sudan and US, saying that Sudan and US are working together to apprehend the culprits and there is good cooperation with the Sudanese government.
She indicated that she would discuss with Sudanese officials procedures that will help to fortify protection of the American embassy staff in Khartoum.
(ST)