Sudanese govt to discuss Security Council resolution on Darfur
KHARTOUM, July 31, 2004 (SUNA) — The Council of Ministers is due to discuss on Sunday the Security Council’s resolution on Darfur. Foreign Minister Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail said in a joint press conference here Saturday with his Egyptian counterpart Dr. Ahmed Abulgiet that the Council of Ministers is the authority which is entitled to issue a decision on the issue.
He affirmed the government commitment to implement its agreement with the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan. He pointed out that it is premature to speak now about rejection of the resolution.
Dr. Ismail said that Egypt’s role regarding Darfur is still a key one toward restoration of security and stability in Darfur, expressing his belief that Cairo will play an important role in coming period concerning this issue.
He said that both Presidents Omer Al-Bashir and Hosni Mubarak are maintaining continuous contacts. He pointed out that Cairo and Addis Ababa will be ones of the important capitals in the coming stage regarding the diplomacy work.
He said that Sudan will make contacts with all the member states of the Security Council, whatever their stances, toward mobilizing international support to reach a balanced stance on Darfur issue.
Dr. Ismail indicated that President Al-Bashir will dispatch envoys to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, to explain Sudan government stance on Darfur question.
He said that the Nigerian President and current Chairman of the African Union, Olesegen Obasanjo, and the Pakistani President, Perwez Musharaf, would visit Sudan in the coming days.
He described the coming visit of the Pakistani President to Khartoum as an important one, especially that Pakistan is a member of the Security Council, which abstained in the voting on the resolution.
The Foreign Minister stressed that the Sudanese Foreign Ministry will continue its efforts in the coming period regarding Darfur issue, while the government will continue its endeavours to implement its agreement with the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Dr. Ahmed Abulgiet, said that the Egyptian diplomacy will support Sudan toward achieving peace and solving Darfur problem.
He said that Egypt has played an early and active role at the international level in support of Sudan regarding Darfur issue, explaining that Egypt has sent medical missions to Darfur and conducted contacts with the American, European and British governments, a matter which had positive impacts concerning the Security Council’s resolution on Darfur.
He referred to the existence of mutual understanding between Egypt and Libya about Darfur issue.
He also referred to some positive aspects of the Security Council’s resolution on Darfur, including the call on Darfur rebels to return to the negotiation table. Dr. Abul-Gait affirmed the concern of President Mubarak with the situation in Darfur, and his keenness to continue consultation with Sudan government toward achieving a peaceful solution for the crisis.