Military

DATE=10/22/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KENYA / POWELL (S)

NUMBER=2-308922

BYLINE=ALISHA RYU

DATELINE=NAIROBI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell says the Sudanese government and the country's main rebel leader have pledged to reach a comprehensive peace agreement ending Sudan's 20 year-long civil war by the end of December. Secretary Powell made the announcement Wednesday, shortly after he met with the key participants at the ongoing peace talks in the Kenyan town of Naivasha. V-O-A Correspondent Alisha Ryu has details from Nairobi.

TEXT: Secretary of State Powell, on a two-day visit to Kenya, met Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha and the leader of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army, John Garang, to inject momentum into peace talks that have recently shown promise of a real breakthrough.

Mr. Powell says both sides have promised to sign a comprehensive accord by no later than December 31st. The secretary adds that, if the warring parties did sign an accord, they would be invited to the White House, where their achievement would be formally endorsed.

On Tuesday, Mr. Powell suggested that the United States would also lift sanctions if Sudan reached a peace settlement and acted further against terrorism.

The year-long peace talks cleared a major obstacle last month with an agreement on security arrangements. But the Sudanese government and the rebels remain at odds over several other issues, including how to share power and oil wealth. (Signed)

NEB/AR/MAR