Sudan’s Bashir, Kharrazi in wide-ranging talks
KHARTOUM, July 18, 2004 (Iran Daily) — Sudan’s President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir stressed the need for building a united Islamic front against enemies of the divine faith in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here Saturday.
“Islamic countries must bolster solidarity against the enemies and resist their conspiracies,” he said, citing the case of Iran and Sudan as an example, IRNA reported.
“The enemies hatch recurring plots against Sudan, but the Sudanese nation has stood firm in the face of all problems,” Bashir said.
The Sudanese president described negative propaganda of the Western powers against Iran’s nuclear program as ‘baseless’, saying Tehran has a legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
“Sudan backs the Islamic Republic’s stances,” he said, describing Iran’s position in the Islamic world as ‘outstanding’.
Bashir stressed his government’s determination to expand cooperation with Iran in the political, economic and trade fields.
“Khartoum is also interested in using Iran’s experience and potentials in the fields of energy and industry,” he said.
Bashir expressed the need to tackle obstacles to bilateral cooperation, saying the upcoming visit of President Mohammad Khatami to Sudan will be an important step.
Kharrazi described his meetings with Sudanese officials as “very helpful”, saying senior Iranian officials are determined to expand political and economic relations between Tehran and Khartoum.
“Iran is ready to transfer its experiences in the fields of technology, agriculture as well as industrial machinery and heavy industry to Sudan,” he said.
The foreign minister outlined Iran’s position regarding nuclear technology as well as issues related to Iraq and Palestine.
Kharrazi deplored foreign interference in Sudan’s internal affairs and expressed hope “the issue of Darfur will be resolved through the Sudanese government’s prudence”.
The conflict between local rebels and Janjaweed Arab militias, which western powers claim enjoy the Sudanese government’s backing, is said to have left some 10,000 dead and a million displaced in Darfur.
The Sudanese parliament speaker earlier said Western powers were hyping up the Darfur issue, following warnings that a humanitarian crisis was unfolding in the western region.
“There is a lot of propaganda in order to hype up the Darfur issue, indicating that big western powers do not like any Islamic country to achieve high capacities,” Ahmad Ibrahim Al-Tahir told the Iranian foreign minister.
Kharrazi arrived in Khartoum early Friday on a two-day visit for talks on issues of mutual interest.
In a meeting with Sudanese Vice President Ali Usman Muhammad Taha, Kharrazi said that independence and selfsufficiency are Iranian goals for moving toward economic development.
Ali Usman, for his part, said Iranian and Sudanese officials would increase contacts for consultations over regional and international issues. He noted that the Sudanese government is willing to develop multilateral relations with the Iran.