US is not supportive of a no-fly-zone in Sudan: envoy
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September 12, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — United States special envoy to Sudan,
Princeton Lyman said his country has no intention to push for the
imposition of a no-fly-zone in the Blue Nile or other regions where
the government forces fight against rebel groups.
JPEG - 16.6 kb
Ambassador Princeton Lyman (AP)
Rebel groups in Blue Nile, Darfur and Southern Kordofan called for a
no fly zone in the three region accusing the Sudanese air force of
bombing civilians in the three regions.
"I can not say that the United States or anyone else is prepared to
enforce a no-fly zone in Sudan. That would take us into a
confrontational situation in Sudan," said Lyman in an interview with
Radio Dabanga on Monday.
He further pointed out that the US efforts are focusing on the
resumption of negotiations between the Sudanese parties . "Whereas our
efforts are concentrated in getting the parties back to the
negotiating table and an end to the fighting and that’s where we are
putting all our efforts now".
However, Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) said today it
refuses any international mediation to negotiate with the Sudan
People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) to end the armed conflict
in Blue Nile.
NCP secretary of political contacts al-Haj Adam Youssef told the
government sponsored media SMC that the western powers seek through
these initiatives to allow the SPLM-N to reorganise its troops and be
prepared for new attacks to overthrow the regime.
Lyman said they are working with the UN and the African Union to hold
talks between the government and the SPLM-N over a number of issues
that need to be addressed by the two parties.
He said they are "trying to get those negotiations restarted at the
earliest possible time".
President Omer al-Bashir early in July rejected a framework agreement
to end the fight in Southern Kordofan between the two parties on 28
June. He said the SPLM should negotiate directly with the government
without any international meditation.
Speaking about Darfur, the special envoy criticized calls by rebel
groups to overthrow the government as solution for the conflict.
"We do not believe that a commitment to overthrowing the regime is a
sensible stand for the parties or the armed movements to take," he
pinpointed. He also said he advised the rebel groups to "articulate a
political platform and to engage in negotiations with the government
on Darfur."
The envoy also reiterated that the Washington Forum, scheduled for
27-28 September, aims to give an opportunity to the different parties
to express themselves “And that we will be able to discuss among
ourselves and have a better understanding of what the points of view
are and what are the obstacles to further negotiations".
Khartoum blames Washington for not removing the Sudan from the list of
states sponsoring terror and maintaining the economic sanctions
despite the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and
the independence of South Sudan.
The Sudanese officials also say that the US administration remains
inert despite the obvious military and material support provided by
Juba government to the SPLM-N and Darfur rebels.
(ST)
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