Dr. Ismail: American Sanctions will Never Affect Sudan even if they Lasted for 50 Years

Presidential Advisor, Dr. Mustafa Osman IsmailMustafa Osman Ismail, said that the current situation of the Sudanese economy is much better than that in the past. He said that the American sanctions on Sudan will never affect Sudan even if they lasted for 50 years.

In a statement after his meeting in Cairo with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Dr. Ismail indicated that the American sanctions on Sudan will hamper any positive that Washington is to play at both levels of the bilateral relations and its handling of the issues of mutual concern. He said that no Sudanese person will give attention to these American sanctions because they are unjust and were not issued on ethical bases, adding that these sanctions were a product of the former aggressive and unwise policy of President BushPresident Bush administration. Dr. Ismail said that he discussed with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abul-Ghait, a number of major files which were the outcome of the recent summit of the African Peace and Security Council in Abuja, the report of the African Work Team on Darfur and Sudan position in this regard. Dr. Ismail said that Sudan is appreciating the positive stances of Egypt concerning the report of the African Work Team on Darfur and the situation in Darfur, adding that the Sudanese and Egyptian parties agreed to continue contacts toward achieving a solution and security and stability in Darfur. He said that the two parties reviewed in Cairo also the file of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), adding that Egypt pledged to continue extending support to south Sudan, especially in the fields of electricity, education, health and information. Dr. Ismail pointed out that the two parties agreed on convocation of the meetings of the higher Sudanese - Egyptian ministerial committee under co-chairmanship of the Egyptian Prime Minister and Sudan Vice - President, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha. Commenting on recent statement of the First Vice-President and President of the Government of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, Dr. Ismail said that the duty of making the unity between the north and the south an attractive choice is a joint responsibility of both the north and the south, but not the north alone. He referred to the expectation that all issues will be solved before holding the coming elections in next April. On the issue of Halaib, Dr. Ismail said that Sudan is adopting a clear vision that the differences on the border between Sudan and Egypt can be settled through dialogue, referring to a proposal that Halaib and all the towns at the border between Sudan and Egypt are to be towns of integration between the two countries. On the recommendation of the African Peace and Security Council on formation of Sudanese and other judges, he said that Sudan is supporting the African solution and cooperating with it, but Sudan has a very clear vision on the issue justice which is based on the necessity of respect to the sovereignty of Sudan and the independence of its Judiciary.