June 24, 2008 (WASHINGTON) — A Sudanese presidential adviser and a Darfur rebel chief declined invitation to participate in a conference organised in Washington to discuss Darfur crisis, its impact on Sudan and the region.

Gazi Salah Eddin Attabani and Abdel Wahid al-Nur said today they would not take part in a conference organized by Executive Research Associates and Manchester Trade at The Madison Hotel in Washington on Wednesday 25 June.

According to a press statement issued by the organisers the conference entitled "Darfur and its Impact on Sudan and the Region" aims to discuss the history of the conflict, the parties involved, and potential solutions to deal with the crisis.

The Sudanese presidency stated today that Adviser Attabani is in Khartoum and will not take part in Washington symposium without elaborating. Contacted by Sudan Tribune the SLM chief also said he will not travel to the meeting.

Two other members of the ruling National Congress Party will present papers in the conference: Eltigani Salih Fidail - Sudan Minister for International Cooperation, and Sayed Mohamed El-Hassan El-Khatib - Centre for Strategic Studies, Khartoum. While the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement is represented by Laual Deng Lual - State Minister for Finance and National Economy.

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) also is represented by two speakers Tahir Elfaki - Head, Legislative Council, and Abdullahi Osman El-Tom, Head of the Bureau for Training and Strategic Planning.

Among the researchers and activists invited to the conference there are Gerard Prunier - Expert on East and Central African Affairs, Alex de Waal, Program Director, Social Science Research, Council and John Prendergast - Co-Chair Enough! Project.

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