Khartoum rejects Powell's accusations, rebels welcome it
Sudan-USA, Politics, 9/10/2004

The Sudanese government strongly rejected the description made by the US secretary of state Colin Powell that what is taking place in Darfur is a genocide. The Sudanese foreign affairs minister Najib al-Kheir Abdul Wahab considered that Powell's testimony before the Congress will lead to the escalation of tension in the area.

Powell cautioned, however, "no new action is dictated by this determination. We have been doing everything we can to get the government of Sudan to act responsibly. So let us not be too preoccupied by this designation; these people are in desperate need and we must help them." Whether it is called war, ethnic cleansing, or genocide, the reality remains the same, he stated: "There are people in Darfur who desperately need the help of the international community."

In statements in Abuja where the government's negotiations are taking place with Darfur's rebels, Wahab said that the Sudanese government is waiting for the support of the international community to Abuja's negotiations rather than "Pouring oil on fire." Najib al-Kheir indicated the conclusion made in the report by the UN envoy on the progress attained by Khartoum in dealing with the humanitarian situation in Darfur and admitted simultaneously that there are certain security problems, because of the complex security situation.

The minister of finance Ahmad Hassan al-Zubeir considered that Powell's statement comes in the course of the pressure made by Washington and other western governments on Khartoum. He renewed confirmation that the conflict in Darfur is an internal tribal problem rather than a genocide.

The Sudanese minister of justice Ali Muhammad Othman Yassin said that Sudan will agree to the extension of the observers of the African Union in Darfur. He added that Khartoum considers the observers as partners in supporting it to reach a solution.

Meantime, the two rebel movements in Darfur welcomed Powell's statements and alleged that he supports the position of the rebellions since the beginning of the crisis and the accusations against the government and the Jangaweid militias.

The spokesman for the Sudan's liberation movement, Abdul Hafiz Mustafa Mousa, called on the international community to take decisive measures against Khartoum for what he called crimes.

Powell considered what is taking place in Darfur as a genocide, accusing the Sudanese government and the Jangaweid militias of being responsible for it.

The American secretary of state also held part of the responsibility on the rebels in Darfur, especially in obstructing the access of humanitarian aids and kidnapping of the relief employees.

Powell said that the US proposed in the draft resolution which it had submitted on Wednesday to the UN Security Council to make a comprehensive investigation without any restrictions in what he called human rights violations and the international law which took place in Darfur.

He said that his country started consultations over the expected draft resolution which will also include demanding Khartoum to have full cooperation with the African Union forces and expand the mission of these forces and also halting the sorties of the Sudanese warplanes over Darfur.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian exempted from getting visas before entering Sudan   (9/9/2004)
  Turabi's party denies involvement in disturbances attempt   (9/9/2004)
  Powell defines today Washington's position towards the crisis in Darfur   (9/9/2004)
  Powell defines today Washington's position towards the crisis in Darfur   (9/9/2004)
  Washington refuses to say 'genocide' about the situation in Darfur   (8/19/2004)
  The US welcomes the Sudanese offer   (8/4/2004)

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