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Statement for the public in connection with the situation in Darfur
Ljubljana, 02/12/2006 | press release
In the last two weeks we have been searching intensively for a political solution for Darfur. I prepared a proposition of a possible political and security solution in 16 points. We have proceeded it to the president of Sudan who accepted it favourably and was ready, along with our mediatory role, to seek an agreement on its basis with the resistant groups of Darfur. The proposition was favourably accepted also by the resistant groups. It was our wish to organize direct negotiations between the two sides in Slovenia, today or tomorrow, with a realistic expectation of a final agreement. All sides have already agreed to it.
Yesterday evening, however, the representatives of the resistants, participating in the up to now unsuccessful negotiations in Abudja, and under the pressure of the international diplomats changed their minds and told us they were not coming. It might be that the international diplomats who should have solved this problem themselves a long time ago ascertained that our successful initiative would demonstrate their so far existing inefficiency. It is obvious, though, that they are in no hurry in their well paid jobs. They take their time.
But the people in Darfur are lacking time. Every day of delay means more dead people, more dead children.
This is why we are going to continue our initiative. The head of the movement for justice and equality Dr Khalil asked me this morning not to stop. He is out there in Darfur and not among the diplomats in Abudja. He sees and feels the suffering of his people every day, in the same way as the chief coordinator of the Sudan liberation movement Ali Shogar. He as well participates in the fieldwork and is trying hard to unite different resistant groups with the aim of a commom adoption of the proposed political and security solution for Darfur.
This is why we are going to carry on our activities. I will send my representative to Kartum, to the president of Sudan, with the goal to accomplish the negotiations with the government. My representative Tomo Križnar is already in Darfur among the resistants. They already have our propositions and have already responded to them with some remarks. We shall try to bring them into line with the government.
Today I proposed to both sides to have a conclusive meeting and hopefully the signing of the agreement in Germany, in Gymnich by Bonn this weekend. We want to show that it is not the question of prestige or competition among different inititaitives that the meeting and the signing of the agreement should be in Slovenia. Germany could help us provide logistic and diplomatic assistance, as we had to overcome a lot of difficulties, predominantly with the help of motivated individuals, as the stiff international bureaucrat institutions failed all along.
Our decision is to go on. We have to bring an end to the suffering of the people in Darfur.
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Office of the President of the Republic
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SI-1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
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gp.uprs@up-rs.si
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