Washington commends Sylva Keer separatist attitude

The special envoy for the US under secretary of state to Sudan, Roger Winter, expressed optimism that the death of vice president John Garang will not undermine the implementation of the peace agreement which Garang signed in January putting an end to the longest civil war in Africa.

He said that the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) is strong and that the new leader Sylva Keer who was a deputy for Garang and a military leader enjoys great support inside the movement.

Winter added that "Keer is known for his inclination to team work in finishing projects, and we all know that was not of the traits of late Dr. Garang." He explained he is not worried over Keer's separatist attitude ( to split south Sudan from the north) because this attitude represents the views of the majority of the people of south Sudan.

The American envoy indicated that 96% in the south do not support unity, and that these statistics show that Garang was almost alone in supporting unity.

On the other hand, Winter said that the US will send experts to help in the investigating the crash of the Ugandan plane which was transporting Garang, after the US received a request to give support to the investigation.