Powell visits Kenya to push for Sudanese peace agreement

NAIVASHA, Kenya -- Secretary of State Colin Powell pressed Sudan's warring parties Tuesday to move rapidly toward a comprehensive peace agreement, holding out a promise that the United States would review its sanctions against Africa's largest nation if there is an end to fighting.

Powell spoke from Nairobi, the capital of neighboring Kenya, after meeting with President Mwai Kibaki, whose foreign ministry has helped mediate Sudan's 15-month-old peace process.

On Wednesday, Powell is expected to meet negotiators near the Kenyan resort town of Naivasha and urge them to "throw it into high gear."

Africa's longest war erupted in 1983 when southern rebels from the mainly animist and Christian south took up arms against the predominantly Arab and Muslim north. Twenty years later it has claimed more than 2 million lives, mainly because of war-induced famine.

"We now have a window of opportunity, a moment that must not be lost," Powell said. "President Bush has asked me to come on his behalf to encourage the parties to move as aggressively as possible."

Before his arrival, Powell told reporters that a peace deal would make it possible for Washington to review the sanctions imposed against Sudan "and the various listings that are in place."

The United States has imposed sanctions on Sudan since President Omar el-Bashir seized power in a 1989 coup. Washington also continues to list Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism. Osama bin Laden lived in Khartoum, the capital, in the early 1990s and had numerous business interests in the country.

However, Sudan has been credited with cooperating in the war against terrorism since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and el-Bashir's government is keen to resume full diplomatic and business relations with the United States, which closed its embassy in Khartoum in 1996.

Powell said the Islamic government still needed to "take other actions" against terrorism, suggesting for example that it expel members of Muslim militant groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The government and its foes both agree that Powell's visit is significant and demonstrates America's commitment to the peace process.

Still, mediators and observers believe it could be weeks before a comprehensive peace deal is reached.

The conflict is often simplified as a religious, racial struggle, and the rebels have attracted strong support from U.S. Christian and African-American groups. But the war is also about the battle for oil, politics and historical differences.

It has been marked by allegations of mass human rights violations, particularly by the government, which has been accused of supporting slavery and bombing aid groups and civilians.

Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha and John Garang, leader of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army, have been meeting since Friday in an effort to resolve outstanding issues.

Last month, they achieved a major breakthrough by agreeing that the SPLA should retain its forces in the south during a six-year transition period, after which southern Sudanese will vote on whether to remain part of Sudan.

SPLA spokesman Yasir Arman said there had been some progress on wealth sharing and said the current focus was on the administration of three disputed areas in central Sudan.

He said the parties could reach an agreement on the disputed areas by the end of this week, and "possibly" wealth-sharing, including dividing the country's oil revenue.

But Sayid el-Khatib, spokesman for the government delegation, said the latest session of talks have not "progressed as well as we would have liked."

The parties have also not agreed on details of power-sharing, including the presidency and the SPLA's representation in a transitional government.

El-Khatib said Powell could give the process a "real push" forward, while Arman said the trip increased the focus on the talks.

"Everybody knows the United States is very much involved in these talks," el-Khatib said.

The negotiations are being mediated by the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development, while the United States, Britain and Norway have observers at the talks.