Eritrean president in talks with Sudan’s Garang

ASMARA, Jan 6, 2005 (ERINA) — President Isaias Afwerki received the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) leader, Dr. John Garang yesterday, where the two sides discussed the agreement reached between the SPLA and the Government of Khartoum in Naifasha, Kenya. Dr. John Garang added that his visit to Eritrea comes as a gesture of gratitude to the people and government of Eritrea for their support to the Sudanese peace process.

President Isaias pointed out that the Government of Eritrea has been exerting efforts for the two parties to reach at a comprehensive peace agreement. In his talks with the SPLA leader, the President also asserted that the agreement reached between the two parties is significant not only for achieving peace in the Sudan but also in the Horn of Africa at large.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Garang had held a similar meeting with senior officials of the Peoples’ Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ).

Also at a press conference held upon his arrival at the Asmara International Airport, the SPLA leader, Dr. Garang stated that this is his first visit to any country since the signing of the Naifasha, Kenya. The mission of the visit is to congratulate the people and government of Eritrea on this achievement.