US to upgrade diplomatic representation with Sudan

KHARTOUM, Mar 4, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The American Administration has affirmed its concern with speeding up implementation of the Sudanese Peace Agreement, expressing hope that normalization of Sudanese-American relations would be accelerated, the pro governmental newspaper Al-Anba reported yesterday.

US State Department Adviser on Sudan Charles Snyder said during his meeting with Undersecretary of Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mutrif Sidik here on Wednesday that the US looks forward for upgrading the level of its diplomatic representation in Khartoum to ambassadorial level by next automn after it sees more progress on the ground as regards developments in Darfur, pointing out that a senior diplomat, Ambassador David Kaeaper is appointed as Charge d’Affaires of the American Embassy in Khartoum.

Director of the America Department at the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mohamed Amin Abdalla Al-Karib said in a press statement that the US official conveyed during the meeting the vision of the American administration concerning the draft resolution before the Security Council and sees that consultations are still going on concerning the draft resolution.

He added that the meeting also tackled the situations in Darfur, where Sidik affirmed the government’s seriousness in all the initiatives it made for resolving the crisis there, pointing out that Snyder commended the initiative announced by President Omer Al-Bashir during the mini-African summit, held in Ndjamena recently.

Sidik affirmed the government’s determination and its continuous consultations with Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for implementation of the peace agreement, expressing astonishment that there is a trend for normalization of relations and at the same time Washington presents a draft resolution that carries more sanctions.

Snyder concluded a two-day visit to Sudan Wednesday during which he met a number of government officials.