Egyptian-Libyan initiative on-going despite US opposition
Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 12/3/1999

Presidential Political Advisor Osama el-Baz affirmed yesterday that the Egyptian-Libyan initiative came out of Egypt¹s keenness on protecting the Sudanese interests in the long run and preserving the territorial integrity of the Sudan and its people.

In an interview with the Sudanese TV, el-Baz added that the Egyptian-Libyan initiative did not come out of a vacuum but is indeed an outcome of an Egyptian-Libyan dialogue with the Sudanese parties concerned. Such a dialogue aims at stopping military operations and media campaigns and creating the atmosphere essential for extending channels of the constructive dialogue between the Sudanese parties, preserving the stability and territorial integrity of the Sudanese nation and advocating the religious and ethnic pluralism.

Baz added that the Sudanese parties responded immediately to such a dialogue and welcomed the Egyptian-Libyan mediation.

"The US opposition to the Egyptian-Libyan initiative does not concern us much and will not change our stance at all," he expounded, emphasizing that the initiative will go on as long as it is accepted by the Sudanese parties and other neighboring African countries that have concerns over the stability of the Sudan and as long as the initiative proceeds in the direction that serves the interests of the Sudan.

Baz expressed his firm belief that the US stance opposing to the Egyptian-Libyan initiative is not accepted in Egypt, Libya or the Sudan. He also affirmed that the success of the opposition bears no weight since this is an American affair and it does not require interference or support.

He also affirmed that the success of the Egyptian-Libyan initiative will be the direct result of cooperation between the Sudanese factions concerned. He called upon the leaders of the Sudanese people, political parties and movements to pool all efforts to make the Egyptian-Libyan initiative a succeed.

Baz also affirmed that the national interests of the Egyptian people go in line with those of the Sudanese people, adding that the most important element of national interests is the security element, in the strategic sense of the word.

Baz made clear that Egypt believes not only in the necessity of preserving the unity of the Sudan; the people and land, but also in the necessity of preserving the unity of Egypt, Libya and the Sudan. He said that the three nations geographically, demographically and historically form a bloc and they all have common interests.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian FM makes contacts in backing political solution in Sudan   (12/1/1999)
  El-Bashir to visit Cairo next month   (11/27/1999)
  Al-Bashir may visit Cairo next month   (11/23/1999)

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