Sudan to treat US officials equally

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Dec 17, 2004 (UPI) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail said his government will ban U.S. officials from entering Sudan in retaliation to a similar measure by Washington.

Ismail was quoted in the Saudi daily Okaz Friday as saying, “We will treat them likewise and we will forbid them from entering Sudan.”

“I don’t believe we will be the main losers, especially if they want to have a role in achieving peace and restoring stability in the region,” he said.

He cautioned Washington against taking a tough stance against Sudan, saying, “Any sanctions against Khartoum will further strain relations and this is what the U.S. administration should avoid.”

Washington has ordered a ban on the travel of Sudanese officials to express disapproval with the way Khartoum is handling the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.