Mashar hoping for a new meeting with Garang

The head of the coordination council of the southern states in Sudan, Ryak Mashar, expressed his hope to hold a discussion session with the leader of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, John Garang, in order to pave the way for anticipated negotiations between the government and the southern rebels in Addis Ababa in August, under with the sponsorship of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development.

Mashar said that his last visit to Uganda where he met with Garang contributed in bringing back a large number of the Sudanese captives, whose return will be resumed during the current month with others who are convinced of the government's seriousness in achieving peace.

Mashar's advisor Minister of State Othman El-Taweel denied the existence of confidential agreements between Mashar and Garang.

Taweel launched an attack on some of the previous southern governments and said they "abandoned the spirit of responsibility," and he emphasized his movement's desire to establish a united south.