Moussa: Sudan is in better status now; urges Sudanese to reconcile for Sudan's new future
Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 12/27/1999

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa Sunday described the situation in Sudan now as "better".

Moussa said he will meet shortly with Mohamed Othman Merghany, head of the opposition Sudanese National Alliance, right after his arrival in Cairo.

Moussa met with Sadeq al-Mahdi, leader of the opposition Ummah Party on Saturday.

"Egypt's contacts with John Garang, the leader of Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) as well as coordination with Tripoli are moving on," Moussa said.

"The Sudanese arena is in a state of mobility," Moussa said, hoping Egypt will succeed in moving matters towards stability and dialogue.

On the vision of regional and international parties concerned of the Egyptian role to make peace in Sudan, he said he was convinced that a new situation was evolving in Sudan and underlined the unity of Egyptian-Sudanese interests.

"Egypt is playing its role with the enthusiasm and honesty needed on the basis of the Egyptian-Libyan joint peace plan," Moussa said.

Egypt's initiative maintains the stability and territorial integrity of Sudan, taking into consideration the opinion of the people in the north and south.

Moussa reiterated that there was no contradiction between the Egypt-Libya joint plan and that of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD), as long as both sides were working for stability and keeping inter-Sudan dialogue, a matter that would guarantee the continuity and unity of Sudan.

Commenting on the US risky position in support of Garang, he said the American position is subject to change. "Cairo is having continued consultations with Washington on Sudan as is the case with the Middle East peace process," Moussa said.

"The Egyptian-American positive contacts will resume on both questions," he said. Moussa denied that the American administration wanted to divide Sudan, affirming that Egypt had received assurances from the US administration in this respect.

"On the contrary, Washington is talking about the territorial integrity and safety of Sudan at the same time they are referring to a new Sudan as everybody else," he remarked. Moussa also referred to signs that the US was beginning to appreciate the Egyptian-Libyan initiative.

"Egypt is searching for a formula that both maintains the interests of the Sudanese people and that poses no anxiety for the superpowers or neighbors," he said.

Moussa urged the Sudanese people to reconcile and unify in a bid to bridge Sudan to a new and stable future, taking into consideration the different viewpoints and composition of the people.

Asked whether Egypt has contacts with IGAD, the Egyptian top diplomat said Egypt has contacts with many parties.

On Washington's invitation to the opposition National Democratic Alliance's members to hold a meeting in the US, Moussa saw that such a meeting may take a new form in light of the new changes.

After the improvement of Egypt-Sudan relations ensuing Sudanese President Omar Bashir's summit with President Hosni Mubarak, Moussa said that bilateral issues will be envisaged in a quiet and open atmosphere.

He also expected that the Egyptian ambassador return to Khartoum within weeks.

"Egypt is searching for a formula beneficial to the Sudanese people and that poses no anxiety for the major powers or neighbors," he said.

Moussa urged the Sudanese people to reconcile and unify in a bid to usher Sudan into a new and stable future, taking into consideration the different viewpoints and composition of the people.

Asked whether Egypt was making contacts with IGAD, the Egyptian top diplomat said Egypt has contacts with many parties.

Previous Stories:
  Bashir: Egyptian-Sudanese relations back to normal   (12/24/1999)
  Mubarak-Bashir talks cover legitimacy, stability, reconciliation in Sudan   (12/24/1999)
  Moussa assures success of El-Bashir's visit to Cairo   (12/23/1999)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search