U.S. diplomat: Not seeking regime change

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The United States isn't seeking regime change in Sudan as a precondition to normalizing relations, a U.S. diplomat based in the country said.

U.S. Charge d'Affaires Joseph D. Stafford said a Sudanese newspaper misquoted his answer when he was asked whether regime change would help normalize relations, the Sudan Tribune reported Wednesday.

"My response to this question was and remains that the Sudanese people decide the form and nature of their government," Stafford said. "We accept and respect the choice and sovereignty of the Sudanese people."

Washington resumed normalization talks with Sudan in 2011 and considered dropping the country from its list of terror sponsors.