Sudan rejects US offer, interference

Khartoum has rejected a package of incentives offered by the United States to ensure the holding of a referendum for independence of southern Sudan.

Washington has announced that it will introduce a package of incentives, including restoring full diplomatic relations and allowing some non-oil trade and investments, in an effort to induce Sudan to run the referendum in January 2011.

“We reject in principle the issue of incentives and pressures. This is an unacceptable matter,” Ghazi Salahuddin, a Sudanese presidential adviser, told reporters on Wednesday.

The southern Sudanese are preparing to decide their political future as part of a 2005 peace deal with Khartoum to end two decades of conflict with the north.

“If there is a constructive plan from the US, we will look into such a constructive plan, but to present matters as reasons or approaches to impose sanctions or give incentives, then this method is unacceptable,” Xinhua quoted Salahuddin as saying.

Another senior Sudanese official also criticized Washington’s policy on Sudan and accused the US of interfering in Sudan’s internal affairs.

“This shows intervention in the domestic affairs of a country.” said Rabie Abdelati, a Senior National Congress Party official.

“Really this is threatening and giving a warning to the Sudanese government without any reason,” he added.