Sudanese criticisms against Britain

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael in a press conference held yesterday at the Sudanese Foreign Ministry in the presence of the British minister of state for middle east affairs, Derek Fatchett, who ended his visit to Khartoum yesterday, has directed strong criticism at Britain saying that it is among the most extreme countries in opposition to the Sudanese government.

He said that London cannot be neutral on the issue of south Sudan because of its obvious alignment toward the opposition and its repeated hosting of the opposition and military armed leadership against Khartoum while at the same time it was refusing to receive any governmental officials.

Ismael said that Britain has continued an extremist stance towards Khartoum, dealing with the government in a strange and severe way and continuously calling for establishing a European-style democratic system in Sudan.

He also said that Britain was among the most strict countries in applying UN resolution 1054 that imposes sanctions on Sudan.

Meanwhile the British minister confirmed Britain's concern for Sudan, saying that his country presented $40 million in support of those harmed by war and hunger, adding that his country supports the efforts for peaceful solutions to the south problem.

Moreover the British minister welcomed the approval of the Sudanese government and rebels of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army of the suggestion of a truce to allow aid to reach affected citizens.