Maher underscores Egypt's keenness on Sudan's territorial integrity

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on Thursday said that Egypt was keen on the Sudanese unity.

In press statements, Maher added that Egypt was ready to work with any party seeking to maintain the unity of Sudan.

ÊÊÊ "U.S. peace envoy to Sudan John Danforth underlined during Thursday's talks that the U.S. stance on Sudan was supportive of Sudanese unity," Maher noted.

ÊÊÊ As for the nature of assistance that could be offered to Sudan, Maher said what is required is to rebuild confidence between northern and southern Sudan and start development projects in the north and south of Sudan.

ÊÊÊ The Arab League has set up a fund for development in Sudan, said Maher, noting that international efforts should be made to demonstrate support for the development process in Sudan.

ÊÊÊ Answering a question on whether Egypt wanted to join, as an observer, the Machakos protocol, Maher said that Egypt did not participate in reaching the protocol and, therefore, would not attend the current meetings in Nairobi.

ÊÊÊ Answering another question on whether the current efforts represented a departure from the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative on Sudan, Maher said that he did not think so.

ÊÊÊ As for apprehensions that some parties would seek marginalizing the role of Egypt in the Sudanese question, Maher made it clear that the Egyptian role in this regard could not possibly be marginalized.

ÊÊÊ Regarding worries by some African countries that splitting Sudan would lead to disturbances in some African countries that suffer from similar problems, Maher said: "This is why everybody is calling for the unity of Sudan."

ÊÊÊ "All parties concerned in Africa believe that the solution to the Sudanese problem lies in its unity not separation," according to Maher.

ÊÊÊ In Cairo, Danforth on Thursday said that a lot remained to be done to ensure that the final choice of the Sudanese people is a united Sudan.

ÊÊÊ "We agreed that it was important for all of us to work together to help the Sudanese protect their unity because this is an important matter to the Sudanese people, Africa and Egypt," Maher told the press after detailed discussions with the American official who arrived in Cairo.

ÊÊÊ Egypt and the U.S. have also agreed to maintain their bilateral contacts with the other parties concerned to solve the Sudanese problem in a way that "would help the Sudanese people build their country."

ÊÊÊ On the reason why Egypt did not attend the second round of negotiations held in Kenya, Maher said "because we were not present from the start, it was normal not to attend the talks when resumed but we are closely following up them. As I told before our goal is to help the Sudanese preserve their unit."

ÊÊÊ Danforth, on his part, said since he was assigned by President George W. Bush to be a special envoy to Sudan, it was clear to him and Bush that his chance to success in reaching a peace deal depends on the countries concerned of the Sudanese affairs.

ÊÊÊ He said that there is an agreement in viewpoints between the Egyptian and American stances, denying there was any contradiction between them.

ÊÊÊ Danforth underlined the importance of preserving the unity of the Sudanese lands, this is an issue of importance to all sides, he said, but at the same time he stressed the need to hold a referendum.

ÊÊÊ He underlined the importance of achieving success within the coming transitional six years towards achieving a just peace in Sudan.

ÊÊÊ "The atmosphere now is very appropriate as the two sides are aware that no victory can be achieved through military means," he added.

ÊÊÊ He denied there were any pressures on the two sides to reach Machakos agreement.

ÊÊÊ The Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) reached an agreement last month in Machakos, Kenya, to work on peace between the north and the south.