UK envoy to Sudan calls for talks to end conflict in east

KHARTOUM, Feb 10, 2005 (Al-Ayyam) — The British ambassador to Sudan has said that it is necessary for the government and the Beja Congress to hold talks in order to solve the problem in the east.

During a press conference yesterday Ambassador William Patey affirmed the British government’s commitment to help in resolving the Sudanese conflicts.

He said: “We want peace both in the east and west. We would like to tell the Beja Congress that talks are the way to solve the problem in the east, and that our message to the government is to start peaceful negotiations.”

He pointed out that there were friends who could help in solving the crisis and bringing peace everywhere in Sudan. He also says that Britain’s role is to give assistance. “Britain’s role is to give assistance to solve the cease-fire and renounce violence,” he said.

He affirmed that agreement with the south would help in solving all the problems in both the east and west.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.