WASHINGTON — The Bush administration extended terrorist sanctions on Sudan, as a sponsor of terrorism, in a
move that prevents U.S. arms sales to Khartoum. Khartoum first came under
U.S. sanctions in 1997.
Officials said the sanctions were renewed amid Sudan's failure to stop
the violence in the western province of Darfour. Current sanctions
had been scheduled to expire on Nov. 4, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The crisis between the United States and Sudan constituted by the
actions and policies of the government of Sudan that led to the declaration
of a national emergency on Nov. 3, 1997, has not been resolved," Bush said
in a message to Congress on Nov. 1. "These actions and policies are hostile
to U.S. interests and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to
the national security and foreign policy of the United States."
"Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the
national emergency declared with respect to Sudan and maintain in force
comprehensive sanctions against Sudan to respond to this threat," the
president said.
Sudan has been on the State Department's list of terrorist sponsors
despite an assertion by officials that Khartoum has helped the United States
in the war against Al Qaida. They said Khartoum and Washington have
established an intelligence exchange regarding Al Qaida and other regional
threats.
The U.S. extension of the sanctions came during the visit to Washington
last week by Sudanese Vice President Salva Mayardit. Mayardit, who met
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, was appointed to succeed the late rebel
leader John Garang, killed in an airplane crash on July 30.
Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who has visited Sudan three
times this year, said he would travel to Khartoum this week. Zoellick would
review Sudanese cooperation with the United Nations and African Union in
enforcing a ceasefire in Darfour reached a year ago.
"There are a number of items that we want to see progressing," Zoellick
said. "And that's one reason why I am going to Sudan. It is to try to make
sure that the policies that are represented under the CPA [Comprehensive
Peace Agreement] are on track and all the parties are participating."
Later, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer
said Zoellick would promote a common negotiating position between Darfour
rebels and the regime. Ms. Frazer said
the deputy secretary would also seek Khartoum's permission to enable the
delivery of Canadian armored personnel carriers for the AU mission in
Darfour.
"We've built 32 base camps," Ms. Frazer said. "We've provided about $160
million to support
other [AU mission in Sudan] peacekeeping missions. So, we have to keep
building that capability of the African Union to try to create an
environment of peace while we work for the ultimate solution, which is a
political settlement."
In 2005, the Bush administration removed Sudan from the State
Department's list of major human trafficking offenders. Bush also waived
rules that prevented Khartoum from hiring a Washington lobbyist.
At the same time, the House Appropriations Committee rejected a $50
million administration request to expand the AU peacekeeping mission in
Darfour. The committee determined that Sudan has failed to cooperate with
the AU.
"The administration is on the wrong track and sending exactly the wrong
message," Rep. Michael Capuano, a co-chairman of the House Sudan Caucus,
said.
