President extends hand to rebel leader

Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir has publicly praised his long-time enemy, the leader of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement, John Garang, and invited him to form a partnership once a peace deal has been signed. At the opening of the ruling National Congress Party's general conference on Wednesday, which was televised, he invited Garang to enter into "an effective political partnership for running the ruling affairs during the interim period". He said such a partnership would have the effect of "strengthening the foundations of peace, guaranteeing [Sudan's] voluntary unity and giving others opportunities to participate". He also reiterated praise for the rebel movement. "We congratulate the People's Movement [the SPLM] which embraced peace," he said. "We bravely congratulate it, as it understood that the interest of the nation requires dialogue, not war. Thus it came under its leader, Dr John Garang, to the negotiating table, which was an indication of its seriousness and true commitment." Such utterances would have been unheard of just weeks ago, say regional analysts, who believe Bashir is engaging in diplomatic efforts to prepare his constituency for a peace deal and power sharing with Garang. In a separate development, talks between the government and the SPLM/A restarted this week in Naivasha, Kenya. The negotiators ae expected to be joined next week by Garang and the Sudanese vice president Ali Osman Taha. The negotiations - which have raised hopes of a comprehensive peace deal - will focus on the issues of power sharing, wealth sharing, and the status of the Nuba mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei.