Garang: April agreement is political suicide

Dr. John Garang, commander-in-chief of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), said that Juba has become one of the SPLA's targets. This also applies, he said, to the towns of Waw, Malaka, Kassala, Port Sudan and Khartoum.

In an interview with a German magazine, Garang was quoted as saying that the (SPLA) has been besieging Juba for long time. He said that Juba was bombarded by his forces 5 years before, but the river could not crossed.

Garang noted that SPLA forces are approaching the two rivers surrounding Juba, he said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) opened new doors for cooperation in 1995, in deference to the resolutions of the fundamental issues conference.

In a reply to a question on his readiness to accept a cease-fire, Garang said that after declaration of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development principles the cease-fire has become part and parcel of the agreement.

Garang described the agreement signed last April between the National Islamic Front (NIF) government and some southern factions as political suicide.

He also said that Eritrea is extending military support to the opposition and said that he receives political support from several quarters but not military assistance, Al Khartoum daily reported today.