Mubarak's efforts important for solving Sudanese problem
Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 11/20/2001

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Monday received U.S. peace envoy to Sudan John Danforth, currently visiting Egypt.

US ambassador to Egypt David Welch and presidential political affairs advisor dr. Osama a1 Baz attended the meeting.

Danforth's visit to Egypt comes in the framework of his mission to establish peace between the Sudanese government and opposition and bring closer views among the disputing parties in the country.

Daforth, appointed by U.S. President George Bush on September 6, held talks with Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher in Cairo.

The American envoy declared earlier that in order to realize peace in Sudan and sit to the table of negotiations, both conflicting sides, the government and the popular movement, should cease fire and allow international monitoring of the cease fire within four weeks.

Following his meeting with Mubarak, Danforth said he is visiting Egypt within a ten-day tour taking him to Sudan and Kenya.

US President George Bush believes that achieving peace in Sudan is very important said Dan forth, describing his meeting with Mubarak as "very important and encouraging."

'Mubarak and Egypt are effectively contributing to the solution of the Sudanese issues and Mubarak is extremely interested in reaching a ceasefire and a fair solution for the problem, 'said Danforth.

He noted that he was appointed by Bush as envoy to Sudan five days before the September 11 attacks in the US, which indicates the importance of the Sudanese issue.

'It is certainly important to resolve the Sudanese problem at a time terrorism is being combated, 'said the US envoy.

Danforth said although a lot is being said about the right for self-determination for the southerners, the main issues are still those of human rights, religious freedoms and ability of individuals to live in freedom.

'What is of concern in Sudan is the fear by Sudanese of not being able to practice their religious and cultural freedom,' said the US envoy, adding that self-determination is being studied at the highest level with the Sudanese leaders.

Dan forth said he talked to Bush and State Secretary Colin Powell on the duration of a cease-fire in Sudan.

However, he added, the US has no peace plan but is rather acting as a catalyst to tailor the already floated peace plans to the steps that should be taken by the two sides.

He said he has no intentions to go into negotiations that would take a week after another or a year after another without yielding results.

He warned that the side that balks at taking the measures required from him would be revealed.

Previous Stories:
  Maher receives US delegates to Sudan   (11/1/2001)
  Maher receives US President envoy   (10/31/2001)
  Grand Imam receives Sudanese judges delegation   (10/10/2001)

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