Follow China's aid lead, Sudan urges

Sudanese government officials yesterday accused the West of applying double standards over the Darfur crisis and urged European countries to stop posturing and follow China's lead in assisting the country's economic development.

Opening a groundbreaking "Sudan-Europe relations forum" in Khartoum, Vice-President Ali Osman Mohammad Taha said Sudan needed partnerships to pursue modernization, but they should be balanced and mutually respectful.

"We know Sudan has resources and we know Europe has need of our resources. But we want to keep our identity and our cultural components while a new nation (emerges) from the negative shadow of colonialism," Taha said.