'Powell is just politicking'

Naivasha, Kenya - US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Wednesday that Sudan's foes had pledged to sign a final peace accord by the end of the year, but officials on both sides of the 20-year-old war retorted that this was a loose objective and accused the United States of politicking.

"Both sides have agreed to continue the talks and reach a comprehensive agreement no later than by the end of December," Powell told a news conference after meeting the vice president, Ali Osman Taha, and SPLA leader John Garang in the Kenyan town of Naivasha.

US officials said his statement had been made with the full approval of both leaders.

"Both gentlemen have committed themselves to that goal," of signing by December 31, Powell said.

But Khartoum bristled at this declaration.

Dictate a date

"It is impossible for anyone to dictate a date on the two parties that are negotiating," presidential peace adviser Ghazi Salaheddine said.

A US official travelling with Powell defended his statement.

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