Sudan’s Salva Kiir arrives to Washington
January 4, 2008 (WASHINGTON) – The First Vice President of the Republic and head of southern Sudan government has arrived today to Washington in a three day visit two weeks before the end of Bush era.
He was received at Dulles International Airport by Akec Khoc, the Sudanese Ambassador to the United States, Ajing Adiang Marik, the Sudanese Ambassador to Romania, Anthony Louis Kon, the Sudanese Ambassador to DRC, Ambassador Salah Guneid, Deputy Head of Mission at the Sudanese Embassy to the United States and Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Head of GOSS Mission to the USA.
Salva Kiir is expected to meet the President George Bush tomorrow to thank him for the important role played by his administration in the achievement of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. He also will discuss the ongoing conflict in western Sudan region of Darfur.
The chairman of the SPLM also will seek to consolidate its ties with the new administration. With the Darfur crisis and the expected ICC arrest warrant for President Omer Al-Bashir, the CPA is “at serious risk,” say SPLM officials.
Kiir’s delegation is comprised of Mustafa Osman Ismail, Presidential Advisor, Deng Alor Kuol, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Rebecca Nyandeng De-Mabior, Presidential Advisor for Gender and Human Rights, GOSS, Luka Biong Deng, Minister for Presidential Affairs, GOSS, Lt. Gen. Nhail Deng Nhial, Minister of SPLA Affairs, GOSS, John Luk Juk, Minister for Youth and Sports, GOSS, Samson Kwaje, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, GOSS, Malik Agar, Governor of Blue Nile State, Joseph Lual Acuil, State Minister at the Sudanese Presidency, Yasir Said Arman, Deputy SPLM Secretary General for Northern Sector, Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, Undersecretary, Ministry of Regional Cooperation, GOSS, Pauline Riak, Chairperson of Anti Corruption Commission, GOSS, Moulana Mayen Wol, Director for Presidency at the office of the First Vice President, Khartoum.
The visiting delegation will discuss with the American officials issues like the CPA implementation, Darfur crisis and SPLM role, population census and the general elections in the Sudan, development assistance to Sudan, particularly the war affected areas.
Kiir is scheduled to meet the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon and members of the Security Council in New York for talks about the CPA implementation, Darfur crisis and the ICC. Also he will meet the Sudanese community in Washington as he did during his previous trips to the USA.
Kiir is also expected to hold a number of meetings with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon and members of the Security Council in New York about the current situations in the Sudan, such as CPA implementation, Darfur and ICC, he will also meet with the Sudanese Community in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area and will also address the media.
(ST)