World Tribune.com
Business Systems: New P4

Bush administration sets terms for improved ties with Sudan

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, April 30, 2001

WASHINGTON Ñ The United States has set conditions for any improvement in relations with Sudan.

U.S. officials said the first condition is for the regime of Sudanese President Omar Bashir to end attacks on villages in the war-torn south. The fighting pits Sudanese government troops and their militia allies against the Sudanese People's Liberation Army.

The Bashir regime has launched an offensive against the SPLA over the last month that diplomatic sources in Khartoum describe as having met some success. On Thursday, SPLA leader John Garang offered Khartoum a ceasefire.

"There can be no better relations with the United States until we see progress, first and foremost, on stopping the bombing," U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday.

Relations with Sudan were essentially severed in 1996 amid threats to U.S. diplomats in Khartoum. Sudan is on a State Department list of terrorist sponsors.

Powell said the Bush administration will examine several ways to stop the civil war, including the naming of a presidential envoy. But the secretary said this must preceded by a clear administration policy.

As Powell was testifying, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom told Congress that Sudan's record on violations of religious freedom had worsened.

The fighting between government troops and the SPLA is reported to be focused around the area of the Blue Nile. Both sides have claimed successes.

But Garang's offer to the Bashir regime would end insurgency attacks against Sudanese oil installations in exchange for a halt in the government offensive.

Monday, April 30, 2001

Subscribe to World Tribune.com's Daily Headline Alert
One-stop shopping for world news
Click Above To Subscribe

See current edition of

Return to World Tribune.com's Front Cover
Your window on the world

Contact World Tribune.com at world@worldtribune.com