Sudanese FM receives US envoy

KHARTOUM, April 8, 2004 (SUNA)– Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Uthman Isma’il, Wednesday 7 April received at his office the American charge d’affaires to Sudan and discussed progress of the bilateral relations and progress of the peace negotiations at Naivasha, Kenya, and situation in Darfur.

In a press statement after the meeting, Dr Isma’il said that the meeting came in the context of the continuing consultation between Sudan and the US government on the issues of mutual concern. He said that they agreed on the importance of joint work to push ahead the negotiations, indicating that the American charge d’affaires will leave on Thursday 18 April for Washington to submit a report on progress of the talks in Naivasha and Ndjamena.

Dr Isma’il said that that the American charge d’affaires is optimistic about progress of the Sudanese peace negotiations. He referred to the recent telephone call between the first vice-president, Ali Uthman Muhammad Taha, and the US president’s national security advisor towards encouraging the negotiating parties to achieve a peace agreement.

Dr Isma’il said that they deliberated about the aspired role of the USA, adding that the American charge d’affaires has given some of proposals in this regard. He said that these suggestions are reasonable and can push forward the peace negotiations, adding that these proposals will be studied.