Sudanese minister calls for Arab media support on Darfur

KHARTOUM, Jan 15, 2005 (Sudanese radio) — The chairman of the government negotiating delegation with Darfur rebels and minister of agriculture and forestry, Majzoub al-Khalifah Ahmed, has called on Arab media to play its role in combating inimical media campaign which is being carried out by prejudiced Western media against Sudan.

While meeting a delegation of the Arab Journalists Union – currently visiting the country – at the HQ of the ruling National Congress party, Al-Khalifah asked it to actively contribute in solving the Sudanese problems and not to fall into the trap of the agenda and slogans which are being propagated by the Western media, particularly concerning allegations of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Darfur.

Majzoub al-Khalifah explained the political efforts which led to the signing of the peace agreement in the south and the future of Sudan in the post-war period. He pointed to the efforts being exerted by the government in solving the Darfur crisis.

For its part, the delegation of the Arab Journalist Union expressed its solidarity with the government in realizing peace and accord, as well as resolving the Darfur problem.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.