Dialogue with the US - Sudan accepts possible delay of debate to lift sanctions
KHARTOUM, June 25 (AFP) - Sudan accepted Sunday a possible
postponement of UN Security Council talks to end sanctions imposed
on Sudan in 1996, seeing the delay as a chance for further dialogue
with the United States.
"Another postponement is likely and is acceptable as our
continued dialogue with the US may lead to a flexibility in the US
position towards the sanctions," Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa
Osman Ismail told reporters Monday.
Members of the UN Security Council began examining a draft
resolution on Friday to remove the sanctions imposed on Sudan in
1996 after an attempt on the life of Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak.
Diplomats said only the United States appeared to have qualms
about removing the sanctions.
"Our ultimate aim is the lifting of the sanctions and averting a
veto," said Ismail, adding, "we are maintaining dialogue with the US
and we look forward to reaching a position that serves the interests
of both sides."
"We are concerned with Sudan's interests and do not want to get
involved in a confrontation or altercation with the US unless we are
forced to," he said, hoping that the US would address the issue
through dialogue.
Sanctions were imposed to force Sudan to extradite three people
suspected of trying to kill Mubarak as he arrived in the Ethiopian
capital, Addis Ababa, for a summit of the Organisation of African
Unity on June 26, 1995.
The sanctions included a ban on flights by Sudan Airways and
restrictions on the movement of Sudanese diplomats abroad.
In a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on June 1, the
Sudanese foreign minister said inquiries by authorities in his
country "show that no trace has been found of the three suspects in
the Sudan."
Ismail said his government's future dialogue with the US would
be based "on our set policies, including our relationship with
Israel", adding "the normalisation of relations with Israel is out
of question and can only be considered if a just peace in the Middle
East that secures the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,
including their right to a statehood, is reached."
'Before that occurs there will be no talk about normalisation
with Israel," he said.
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