SG/SM/8499
AFR/517
19 November 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGES SUDANESE
PARTIES TO PRESS AHEAD WITH PEACE TALKS

NEW YORK, 18 November (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued on Saturday, 16 November, in Geneva by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan this morning telephoned the President of the Sudan, Omar Al-Bashir, and John Garang, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, to convey his encouragement for the current peace talks going on in Kenya.

He registered his satisfaction with the progress made to date and urged the two sides to continue negotiating in good faith until peace prevails in the Sudan.

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