Al-Ahram: Silva Kiir: More to bolster Sudanese -Egyptian relations
Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/29/2005

Excerpts from an interview bu Sudan's Vice President, Silva Kiir, with Al-Ahram newspaper:

What plans do you have for tackling the situation in Darfur inspite of the fact that you are not party to the ongoing talks that aim at putting an end to the war there?

Kiir: So far we have not had any contacts with the parties concerned in Darfur or the East of Sudan.

More likely we are not going to participate in a meeting to be held in Tanzania for that purpose.

However, we have our own perception on solutions to the problems facing both regions.

In due time we will put forward our proposals to the government and the armed groups in Darfur and the East of Sudan.

Within a maximum of two weeks an abroad-based government will be formed, we will be part of that government.

We will then talk to our partners on the necessity of solving the problems and we will brief them on our views concerning solutions to both problems.

What is your viewpoint on Sudan's tense relations with its neighbors and the United States? How can these relations be improved especially with the United States and Eritrea?

Kiir: There are different reasons for Sudan's problems with neighboring countries and the United States.

As for Eritrea, for example, we believe that after the formation of the government we will have the opportunity to get both sides to sit together and we will make use of our relations with the Eritreans to achieve that goal.

As the government of Sudan we believe that we are capable to solve that problem.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Sudan for reasons of its own.

Washington should re-assess the present situation in Sudan so as to decide whether the situation has improved or not.

In case it finds out that the situation has improved it should lift the sanctions.

What role can you play to improve Arab-African relations?

Kiir: The war in the south did not affect our relations with the Arab countries, we visit Arab states without any problems

Do you plan to play a role in promoting the Sudanese- Egyptian relations? Do you plan to visit Egypt soon?

Kiir: Sudan's relations with Egypt are very strong, we in the popular movement for the liberation of Sudan maintains very good relations with Egypt.

We and our partners in the government will work to enhance relations with Egypt.

I have received an official invitation from the Egyptian government to visit Cairo.

I hope to make the visit after the formation of the Sudanese government next month.

Do not you think that rumours about the (SPLM)'s relations with Israel would impede its spread among northerners?

Kiir: We have established our movement in 1983 and since that time I have never seen an Israeli providing any support to the movement.

SPLM official never visited Israel.

Rumors about Dr. Garang's relations with Israel are floated only in newspapers published in Khartoum.

They also sometimes describe Garang as a communist who used to have Russian aides.

Some other times he was described as an ally of the United States.

What is the movement's position vis-a-vis religions especially Islam?

Islam is a divine religion and the SPLM has no problem with divine religions.

Every Muslim as well as believers in other religions have the right to exercise their rituals freely.

What are we calling for is that religion should not be used as means to rule.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian troops to take part in peace-keeping mission in Darfur   (8/10/2005)
  Top ranking Egyptian delegation to take part in Garang's funeral   (8/5/2005)
  Egypt mourns Garang   (8/2/2005)

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