Bush agrees to lift sanctions on Sudan, sends Danforth as envoy
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, September 10, 2001
WASHINGTON Ñ The United States has agreed to ease restrictions on
Sudan.
Officials said the Bush administration has agreed that United Nations
sanctions would be lifted from Sudan. The sanctions were imposed in 1996 by
the UN Security Council amid allegations that the regime in Khartoum
supports terrorism.
The U.S. agreement, officials said, is part of a drive by the
administration to improve relations with Khartoum. Washington has sent
several envoys over the past month to discuss a roadmap to restore
diplomatic and other ties.
On Thursday, the administration appointed former U.S. Sen. John Danforth
to be a permanent envoy to Khartoum. Officials said Danforth would negotiate
a $30 million U.S. aid package to Khartoum as well as help that country end
its 18-year civil war.
"I'm under no illusions," President George Bush said. "John Danforth is
taking on an incredibly difficult assignment. The degree of difficulty is
high. But this is an issue that is really important. It's important to this
administration. It's important to the world to bring some sanity to the
Sudan."
U.S. officials said Danforth's mission will be to end the civil war,
facilitate humanitarian aid and end Khartoum's support for terrorism.
The Security Council will adopt a resolution to remove sanctions from
Sudan on Sept. 17, the officials said. They said the removal would coincide
with Khartoum's agreement for renewed mediation efforts between Sudan and
opposition groups.
Officials said UN sanctions against Sudan appeared vulnerable after
Egypt reconciled with the Khartoum regime. The sanctions were imposed after
Sudan refused to extradite three suspects in the 1995 assassination attempt
of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Addis Ababa. Sudan was said to have
been behind the attack.
UN officials have confirmed the intention to remove sanctions from
Sudan. But they said any escalation in fighting between Sudanese troops and
southern rebels could derail the plans.
"A grain of sand could still block the machine," Security Council
president Jean-David Levitte of France said.
Monday, September 10, 2001
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