DATE=8/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236423
TITLE=SUDAN PEACE TALKS (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=NAIROBI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SUDAN HAS EXTENDED A CEASEFIRE AHEAD OF THE NEXT ROUND OF
PEACE TALKS WITH REBELS . V-O-A'S EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT SCOTT
STEARNS REPORTS THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WANTS TO MAKE
SURE MORE FOOD CAN BE DELIVERED TO STARVING PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH.
TEXT: SUDAN'S COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVED WHAT IT CALLS A
"UNILATERAL, FULL, AND COMPREHENSIVE CEASEFIRE" FOR ALL PARTS OF
THE SOUTH BEGINNING TUESDAY.
THE GOVERNMENT ARMY AND SOUTHERN REBELS HAVE BEEN OBSERVING A
LIMITED TRUCE FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS TO ALLOW FOR THE DELIVERY OF
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF SUPPLIES IN AREAS HARD HIT BY DROUGHT,
FAMINE, AND INSECURITY.
THE GOVERNMENT'S EXTENSION OF THE CEASEFIRE MEANS AID WORKERS
WILL HAVE MORE ACCESS TO MORE PARTS OF SOUTHERN SUDAN WHERE THE
UNITED NATIONS SAYS MORE THAN ONE-MILLION PEOPLE ARE FACING FOOD
SHORTAGES.
IN THE GOVERNMENT-HELD TOWN OF WAU, MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE ARE DYING
A DAY. RELIEF OFFICIALS EXPECT AT LEAST 70-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN
WAU LOOKING FOR FOOD BY THE END OF THE MONTH. AT FEEDING CENTERS
IN REBEL-CONTROLLED AREAS, SURVIVORS TALK ABOUT NEIGHBORS WHO
DIED ON THE ROAD IN SEARCH OF FOOD.
SUDAN'S COUNCIL OF MINISTERS SAYS IT EXPANDED THE TRUCE TO HELP
RELIEF OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTH AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS
OF PEACE TALKS SCHEDULED TO OPEN TUESDAY IN ETHIOPIA.
THE REGIONAL ALLIANCE KNOWN AS IGAD IS SPONSORING THE TALKS
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MAIN REBEL SUDAN PEOPLE'S
LIBERATION ARMY, OR S-P-L-A. BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED IN PRINCIPLE
TO A REFERENDUM ON POLITICAL SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE SOUTH,
BUT THEY REMAIN DIVIDED OVER WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH A
VOTE.
REGIONAL DIPLOMATS SAY THIS WEEK'S TALKS IN ETHIOPIA WILL INCLUDE
DISCUSSION OF THE REFERENDUM AND THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN
THE SOUTH. (SIGNED)
NEB/SKS/JWH/PLM
03-Aug-98 7:50 AM EDT (1150 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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