Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail blasted as "erroneous" Sunday a recent decision by Washington to extend its economic sanctions on Sudan. "We believe the decision is unjustified and erroneous," Ismail told reporters on Sunday, November 4, adding that it was made in response to "domestic" pressures the administration faces in formulating its Sudan policies.
"The decision is no doubt deplorable to nations which are aware of what is happening in Sudan and which seek to normalize relations between Sudan and the United States," Ismail said, without naming those nations.
He said he and other Sudanese officials would express Khartoum's viewpoint about the decision in meetings with US officials during the forthcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Ismail said it was natural for the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to be satisfied with the extension of the sanctions because it "does not want any good for the Sudan." He accused the SPLM of writing to the US administration declaring its readiness to prove that Khartoum sponsors terrorism and demanding strikes against the Sudan government.
The movement was "saddened" when the US administration turned down its offer, said Ismail. He added that the movement had criticized the UN Security Council for lifting international sanctions on Sudan. "The movement's pleasure will not last long because we will persistently work for lifting the US sanctions," Ismail said. — (AFP, Khartoum)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
