Col Gadaffi mediates M7, Bashir talks

By Grace Matsiko PRESIDENTS Yoweri Museveni, Col. Muammar Gadaffi of Libya and Gen. Omar El Bashir of the Sudan at the weekend held talks aimed at restoring normal diplomatic relations between Uganda and the Sudan. The talks, held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Saturday, were chaired by Gadaffi, according to a statement from Museveni's press secretary, Hope Kivengere. "Col. Gadaffi expressed his desire to see the two countries of Uganda and Sudan at peace with each other," Kivengere said. Before departure at Entebbe, Bashir said, "We shall do our best to improve the relationships between our two nations and peoples. That is our goal." Bashir who was last here in April 1990 for a two-day state visit, had before the talks attended Museveni's swearing-in and inauguration at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds where he was received with wild cheers by Ugandans. Uganda broke relations with the Sudan in April 1995 accusing it of supporting the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels who have caused trauma and killed people in Northern Uganda and of recent the ADF which operates from its bases in the Congo. Sudan accuses Uganda of supporting the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA). Meanwhile, Gadaffi last night hosted President Museveni and Burundi's President, Maj. Pierre Buyoya to a dinner at his residence in Kampala, Kivengere said. Vice-President, Dr Speciosa Kazibwe and the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) Secretary General, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim attended. Kivengere said Museveni yesterday morning received Buyoya at State House, Nakasero, where they held discussions on bilateral, and regional and international matters. The meeting was attended by Kazibwe, the minister of state for regional co-operation, Amama Mbabazi, the Burundi Minister for foreign affairs, Severin Ntabonvukiye, the minister for finance, Charles Nihangaza and that of Peace Process, Ambrose Niyonsaba. Ends