Remarks on Naivasha Talks on Sudan and the Security Council's Nairobi Trip

USUN PRESS RELEASE

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH: Hi.  I’m traveling in a suit, that doesn’t seem right does it?

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  You know I think it’s so close, I think it’s just wordsmithing now.  I mean we’re all of one mind.  This is a very, very important trip.  The Security Council is speaking with one voice, and we are expecting in short order a peace agreement from Naivasha to be concluded, and that of course is the responsibility of the parties to the peace talks.  But we feel it’s very important that not only for the North-South Peace Agreement itself, but also to try and bring to an end this terrible disaster in Darfur.  So it’s an important trip.  And I think all of us are a united front.

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  It’s just 99.4% there.  No, it’s very, very close.  And there’s really no delaying.  There’s no daylight between us is what I’m saying. 

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  No, I’d never heard that, I saw that in a press story.  But I think what is clear is that if there is peace in Sudan the international community is going to be there for Sudan.  In other words, it’s up to the parties to decide which way they want to go.  If there is peace then the international community is going to be with that country in a positive way, in monitoring peace agreements, in a real presence, in providing support to the country, in development assistance to the country.  We’re not simply going to see a peace agreement and then go on to the next subject.  This is going to be an ongoing responsibility and commitment by the international community. On the other hand, if the choice of the parties is not peace, but is continued fighting, if the disaster of Darfur continues, if civilians continue to be victimized, then of course the international community is going to continue to be interested, but in a very different kind of way.  So it’s up to the parties, it’s up to the government of Sudan and in these peace talks, the government of Sudan and the SPLM.

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  Well, we’re certainly expecting the Secretary General to be there, we’re expecting John Garang to be there, we’re expecting Vice-President Taha and we’re expecting representatives of IGAD and the African Union.  So we’re looking at a number of other illustrious people. 

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  No.  No.  You mean the government of Sudan?

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  No. No. No.  They have not been invited.  And they don’t have any role to play – that’s Abuja you’re talking about, not this.

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  Don’t know.

QUESTION: (inaudible) One final thing, how do you feel about Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State?

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  She’s terrific.  Actually, I’ve been working with both Secretary Powell and Dr. Rice now for over three years with respect to the Sudan problem.  And I go way back with both of them; they’re both terrific. 

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR DANFORTH:  Well, I think she’s very good.  And of course the big policymaker is the President himself.  And as the President said to me, when he asked me to do this job, he believes in the United Nations, he believes in the importance of the United Nations.  So that’s the position of our country and our government.  Thanks. 
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