Incomplete U.S. government structure behind delay of Sudan sanctions review: U.S diplomat

Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-25 05:15:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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KHARTOUM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. diplomat on Monday said the incomplete administrative structure of the new U.S. government was behind the delayed review of lifting sanctions on Sudan.

U.S. Charge D'affaires in Khartoum Steven Koutsis on Monday met with Speaker of Sudan's National Assembly (Parliament) Ibrahim Ahmed Omer to discuss the U.S. move to delay reviewing the U.S. sanctions on Sudan for three months.

"The parliament Speaker has been informed with the reason behind the delay according to the U.S. point of view," Abdul-Majid Haroun, Sudanese parliament's spokesman, told reporters.

He said that "the U.S. diplomat explained that non-completion of the administrative structure of the new U.S. administration, namely Africa and Sudan's files, was the reason behind the delay in reviewing the sanctions on Sudan."

Haroun said Koutsis explained that the appointment of officials in charge of finalizing the procedures to lift sanctions on Sudan has not completed, though 53 members of U.S. Congress have demanded for a delay in lifting the sanctions for a year.

On July 12, the U.S. decided to extend the review period by three months to determine whether to permanently lift trade sanctions against Sudan.

Sudan then announced the freezing of the negotiation committee with Washington for three months. However, per request from Saudi Arabia, Khartoum decided to positively communicate with Washington on the matter.

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