Interview with Sudanese opposition leader Garang

John Garang, Leader of Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) stated that the opposition National Democratic Alliance, of which the Movement is a member, is in a much better position now than the days in which the Umma party was active in the alliance.

In an interview with ArabicNews.com, Garang said "the alliance is speaking with one voice after the Umma party froze its membership," expressing his happiness that the factions of the alliance remain stable and focused as the alliance created goals, projects and leadership.

Answering a question concerning his expectation of a military coupe d' etat in Sudan, he said "I am not a fortune teller and I do not care whether a military coupe d' etat took place or not because what is important are policies and not changing the ruling faces." He added that "our final position is the one with which we started which is accepting the joint initiative (Egyptian - Libyan) and seeking to coordinate between it and I.G.A.D to create a negotiating base, yet talking about the initiatives must not blind us from seeing the final goals which are reaching a full political solution based on admitting the Sudanese reality and seeking to end the historical (problems) and establishing rule of law as well as ending any domination."

Garang accused the Sudanese government of violating all international norms concerning the war accusing it of attacking civilians, saying that "the war is not only in the south but also in the east, Toba mountains and south Blue Nile as all signs refer that the last military campaigns which took place in these three areas were a reaction on the regime's attacks."

Garang negated his subservience to implementing U.S.A policies saying "we are not implementing any one's policies for it would be stupid that anyone thinks that a people remained struggling for 17 years to implement someone else's demands," saying "we came to Cairo to consult with the Egyptian officials and the meetings were fruitful for we reached specific point which need consultation among the concerned countries, for it is these countries' right to declare what they want in results from these initiatives, yet, on our side, our meetings through the committee will be continued that were formed by the alliance to consult with the concerned countries in the initiatives."

Concerning the possibility of the return of Umma party to the alliance once more, Garang said "if the Umma party wanted to return back to the alliance, it must present a demand concerning this and the alliance will reconsider it."