Egyptian - Sudanese attack on Albright's statements on reconciliation
Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 10/25/1999

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael, who is currently visiting Egypt, held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Amr Moussa, expressing his adherence to the Egyptian - Libyan initiative for reaching peace in Sudan.

The two ministers held lengthy talks, at the conclusion of which, in a press conference, they stressed the importance of attaining comprehensive Sudanese reconciliation among all groups of the Sudanese people in the north and the south with no exception or discrimination and their desire to preserve the unity and sovereignty of the of the Sudanese territories.

The two ministers said that the Egyptian-Libyan initiative is still valid with the objective of reaching a just peace and a total agreement between Sudanese opposition and rebel groups and the Sudanese state.

This came as a comment on US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's opposition to the Egyptian - Libyan initiative by saying, "We believe that the IGAD process is the best way to go forward." The visit of the Sudanese minister coincided with the echos resulting from Albright's statements.

The Sudanese foreign minister said his country explained the statements the US secretary of state made in Nairobi, Kenya as coming because the US administration does not comprehend the Egyptian - Libyan initiative, which did not cancel IGAD initiative.

He added that the Libyan - Egyptian initiative came to complete the IGAD initiative, which deals only with the problem of southern Sudan while the Egyptian - Sudanese initiative regards the problem from a comprehensive point of view.

They stressed their desire to develop Sudanese-Egyptian relations and preserve the common interests of the two peoples.

Earlier in the day, Egyptian-Sudanese talks were held under the chairmanship of Moussa and Ismael, who arrived in Cairo earlier in the day.

Talks dealt with the latest developments concerning efforts to maintain national reconciliation in Sudan in light of the proposed initiatives in this regard.

Talks also dealt with Sudanese-Egyptian bilateral relations and means of consolidating them in various areas.

On the Egyptian side the meeting was attended by the deputy foreign minister for Arab affairs, Mustafa al-Faqi, and the directors of Sudan's department at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and the Sudanese side was attended by Sudan's ambassador in Cairo.

Previous Stories:
  Sudanese foreign minister in Cairo tomorrow for reconciliation talks   (10/23/1999)
  Sudanese opposition leaders renew adherence to Egyptian - Libyan initiative   (10/20/1999)
  Opposition Sudanese Democratic National Alliance meetings start today in Cairo   (10/19/1999)

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