Mashakos negotiations to resume in January

Sudan's ambassador to Kenya and members of the Sudanese government delegation to Mashakos negotiations described the memorandum signed by the Sudanese delegation with the rebels on Monday as a step forward on which a building can be maintained in the forthcoming negotiations session which will be resumed in January 2003.

In a statement to the Sudanese daily al-Ayam ( the days ) issued yesterday, the Sudanese ambassador al- Dardiri Muhammad Ahmad said that what was agreed upon in Nairobi between the government and the movement is a step forward but it is "less than what we do expect." He explained that the main characteristics of the memorandum is to renew the special understanding to halt acts of hostilities until march, 2003.

Ambassador al-Dardir added that also among the key issued in the memorandum is the concentration on the unity of Sudan in its being the basic reference during the provisional period.