Sudanese vice president to visit Chad after his return from New York

KHARTOUM, Feb 8, 2005 (SUNA) — The First Vice President, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, will visit Chad, after his return from New York, within the framework of his follow up to the Darfur peace negotiations efforts.
The head of the government delegation to the peace talks with the Darfur rebels, Majzoub Al-Khalifa said Tuesday.

Ali Osman Mohammed Taha, Vice President of Sudan, speaks after the United Nations Security Council met in New York to discuss the situation in the Darfur, February 8, 2005. (Reuters).

Al-Khalifa told the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that the Peace and Security Council, as well as the recent African Union Summit Conference in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, have recommended the convening meetings to give an impetus to the peace negotiations set to be held this month.

With regards to the moves of the UN Security Council on the question of Darfur, Al-Khalifa explained that the Council has not deviated from its view that the issue should remain within the African Union.

He pointed to the backing of the council to this stand. He said that the fact that the international fact-finding commission has denied the existence of genocide in the Sudan was a victory for the truth.

On the trial of those responsible for the incidents in Darfur before an international court, Al-Khalifa said Sudan with its independent Judiciary is capable of remedying any violations inside the country in a just and fair manner.

He said that trial of those found involved would be carried out inside the country and that this was the official position of the government of Sudan.

About the situations in Darfur, Al-Khalifa said the region has witnessed a remarkable stability during the last two weeks, according to the reports of the African Union’s cease-fire monitoring commission.

He said that the improvement in the food and health situation was recognized by the international community, in addition to the return of displaced citizens and refugees, in addition to the rehabilitation programmes that cover over 120 villages, the progress achieved in the security field following the reopening of corridors and the easy flow of goods and commodities between Darfur and other parts in Sudan.