Sudanese vice president asks "political payment" from Europe for colonialism

KHARTOUM, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha asked European countries on Monday to make "a political payment" for the colonialism in the past in his address at the inauguration session of the Sudanese European Relations Forum.

"Europe has extended its hand to help solve some problems that faced us, but we must say with a loud voice we regret that it did not help Sudan solve its wounds that were in part not caused by Sudan, or help Sudan in the areas of peace and technology," said the Sudanese vice president.

"We do not beg, but ask for a political payment because of what happened to us in some of the pages of history," he said.

He said that the relationship between Sudan and Europe was shaped by colonialism, adding that there were new generations who tried to establish a new page.

He hoped that this forum, organized by the Sudanese Media Center (SMC) with the cooperation of the European Sudanese Public Affairs Council (ESPAC), would be "a place to discuss and dialog to establish healthy and positive relations with Europe."

"It is an honor to welcome all of our guests who recognize the importance of connection with Sudan," said Abd al-Rahamn Ibrah, director of the SMC.

"The goal of this forum is dialog," he said, adding that parliamentarians, academics, and journalists from Europe and the Arab world had been invited to attend the forum.

David Hoile, director of the ESPAC, also highlighted that European foreign policy on Sudan was not fully developed in the interest of Sudan.

"I believe that this forum will provide tools for European foreign policy makers toward Sudan and Darfur," said he.