A high-ranking Sudanese official has criticised the United Nations for what he described as its negative role in dealing with the Darfur crisis. Major General Abdul-Rahim Mohamed Hussein, minister for the presidency, said the United States has exerted pressure on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to give a negative report about the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. Hussein, who is also the interior minister of Darfur, was addressing a press conference at the Sudanese embassy yesterday. He said the Darfur conflict had its origins in a dispute among local tribes. "It was not at all of a political nature," he asserted. The minister wondered at the sudden international concern over the conflict, which he said had gone unnoticed for long. He said the Americans have territorial ambitions in oil-rich Darfur. "Therefore, they are trying their best to torpedo any possible peaceful settlement, as they are interested in ultimately controlling the north-western parts of Sudan." He said it was unjust for the UN Security Council to force Sudan to accept Resolution 1556. Major General Hussein said that Kofi Annan admitted to him that the international media posed the main problem for the Sudanese government. He said the World Food Programme and the Sudanese government have hammered out a deal to restore security in the region. Hussein said that it was impossible to disarm the warring tribes in the south in one month, as the UN has demanded. He pointed out that the Americans have failed to disarm the Afghan militia in four years. "So how could they ask the Sudanese government to disband the Janjaweed (militia) in such a short time," he asked. The minister said several steps have been taken to improve the health and security situation in the region. "As a result, more than 60% of the refugees have returned home." He denied charges that Khartoum aided in the attacks in Darfur, saying that no evidence was given to prove the claim. The minister did not deny that there existed a serious problem in Darfur but said the Americans were responsible for it. He wondered how his troops could guarantee security without having the freedom of movement. The central government has offered money to the tribal leaders to make them agree to disarm, he said. He welcomed any international initiative that would help in solving the problem. Asked about the recent coup attempt in Sudan, he said it was not spontaneous but organised by opposition leader Hassan al-Turabi. "He used his stay in the hospital to contact his relatives to plan the conspiracy," the minister added. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Toraboro, a member of the Sudanese Liberation Army ( SLA), listens to a radio at Dorsa village in west Darfur , October 10, 2004. (REUTERS)