Sudan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Al Samani Al Wasila, said the situation in his country was not as critical as portrayed by the western media. Most parts of the country were peaceful and waiting for foreign investment.

"We would like to encourage Thai businesses and investors to come to Sudan to learn about the real situation before making any decision. Sudan is rich with many natural resources, particularly oil and minerals," he said.

He spoke at the end of a meet¬ing with Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Saowanit Kongsiri, who visited Sudan recently.

The UN Security Council has passed a series of measures includ¬ing restrictions on arms shipments to the Sudanese government, the rebels and the government-backed Janjawee militia over fighting in the western Darfur region. It has also imposed sanctions on specific individuals who defy efforts to bring peace to Darfur.

More than 200,000 people have been killed in Darfur and 2.5 mil¬lion driven from their homes since fighting began between ethnic African rebels and the Arabdominated central government in 2003.

The United States and United Kingdom have called for the UN to extend existing sanctions on Sudan including enhancing the arms embargo, and instituting a "no-fly zone" in Darfur, where fierce fighting among tribes has continued.

The call came after they deter¬mined that both the Sudanese government and the rebels had violat¬ed the arms embargo on Darfur.

In a separate interview, Saowanit said the invitation for Thai investment in Sudan was extended during his meeting with Sudan's Energy Minister Awad Ahmed and State Minister for Agriculture Abdulrahim Ali Hamad. The ministers insisted the situation in Sudan was under control and most of the country at peace and keen for investment.

"It's only in Darfur, which is in the west, where the fighting is happening. Other areas are not affected by the fighting," Saowanit quot¬ed the ministers as saying.

"We came to Sudan to obtain first-hand information about the country and the situation. The information obtained will help our investors decide on business opportunities here," he said.

A Thai diplomat said Thailand could possibly find itself in "no-man's land" in dealing with Sudan, as the country may face new sanctions proposed by the US and the UK.

"Thailand could possibly be seen by both major countries as an ally of Sudan, if we promote invest¬ment in the country. In the mean¬time, the natural resources in Sudan, particularly oil and minerals, are very interesting and need foreign investment," he said.

by Marisa Chimprabha

The Nation