Sudanese government starts negotiations with Garang

The Sudanese government's negotiations started today in Nairobi with the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement, conducted by John Garang.

The Sudanese government is participating with a large delegation under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Mostafa Othman Ismael.

The official spokesman of the movement in Cairo, Usama Arman said he is not optimistic that the talks will reveal any positive results, adding that the government persisted in getting into these talks, as it raised slogans regarding achievement regarding the constitution and providing liberties while ignoring the substance of the south Sudan issue.

On the other hand, Sadek El-Mahdi, chief of the opposition Ummah Party, and Sudanese Parliament Speaker Hassan Turabi will meet at the beginning of the coming month in Geneva.

A governmental source said the meeting will be a resumption for the previous meeting that took place during May.