Sudan promises cooperation with US in combating terrorism

KHARTOUM, Nov 4, 2004 (Xinhua) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismail [photo] said here Thursday that Sudan would continue cooperation with the United States in war on terror.

“There are agreements with the US administration on issues related to terrorism,” Ismail said in a press statement, adding ” the Sudanese government will continue cooperation with the US administration to end what we started.”

“It is not necessary to completely compromise in views with the US administration but we enhance the issues that we agree on to form a starting point,” the minister said.

Ismail said Sudanese President Omar el-Basher had sent congratulation messages to US President George W. Bush on his re- election.

He added that Sudanese First Vice-President Ali Othman Taha also sent a similar message to his US counterpart Dick Cheney.

He said the Sudanese leadership also expressed hope in the messages for a better bilateral tie.

Ismail noted that the government considered the Sudanese-US relations over the last four years as positive.

“Despite some excitements and tiredness that covered our relations, there were positive sides like the ceasefire in the south of Sudan and the progress in the peace process in Sudan,” added Ismail.

He expressed hope that the two countries would continue cooperation in the coming four years to conclude the peace process in Sudan and enhance development programs in Sudan.

“Sudan’s cooperation with the United States will not be restricted to relations only. We are looking for cooperation in more fields,” said Ismail.