Al-Rai al-Aam: Differences between Khartoum, rebels denied

A diplomatic source in the Kenyan capital Nairobi has denied the existence of differences in the talks currently taking place in Machakos in Kenya between the Sudanese government and the Sudanese south rebel group SPLM, according to the Sudanese daily Al-Rai al-Aam in its Saturday's issue.

The paper added, according to the source, that the two sides did not yet reach the phase of direct negotiations which will start on August 20th.

The source indicated that an American expert on Friday presented his proposals to the two delegation on issues to be discussed by the two sides in the direct negotiations.