DATE=2/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245549
TITLE=SUDAN MEDIATOR (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS PRESSING AHEAD ON EFFORTS TO
ACHIEVE A POLITICAL SOLUTION IN WAR-TORN SUDAN. LISA SCHLEIN
REPORTS FROM GENEVA THE UNITED NATIONS PROPOSES APPOINTING A
PERMANENT MEDIATOR TO WORK FULL TIME ON FINDING A PEACEFUL
SETTLEMENT TO THE WAR.
TEXT: A TOP UNITED NATIONS OFFICIAL SAYS EFFORTS BY AN EAST
AFRICAN REGIONAL GROUP TO ACHIEVE PEACE IN SUDAN ARE NOT
WORKING. THE U-N SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN, TOM VRAALSEN, SAYS THE
GROUP IS FACED WITH ITS OWN PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE INTERFERING WITH
THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. HE OBSERVES THAT THE GROUP IS NOW
PARALYZED BY THE FIGHTING BETWEEN TWO OF ITS MEMBERS -- ETHIOPIA
AND ERITREA -- AS WELL AS PROBLEMS IN DJIBOUTI AND UGANDA. IN
ADDITION, AMBASSADOR VRAALSEN SAYS THE GROUP DOESN'T MEET OFTEN
ENOUGH TO BE EFFECTIVE IN FINDING PEACE FOR SUDAN.
///VRAALSEN ACT///
YOU DON'T GET A POLITICAL SOLUTION IF YOU MEET FOR THREE
DAYS EVERY SIX MONTHS. THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO CREATE
PEACE ANYWHERE. WHAT WE NEED IN THE SUDAN IS A
SUSTAINED EFFORT -- WHICH MEANS A 24-HOUR (FULL-TIME)
EFFORT.
///END ACT///
TO ACHIEVE THAT, MR. VRAALSEN PROPOSES THE APPOINTMENT OF A
PERMANENT MEDIATOR, BACKED BY AN INDEPENDENT SECRETARIAT. HE
SAYS THEIR TASK WILL BE TO TRY TO NARROW DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE
MUSLIM GOVERNMENT IN THE NORTH AND THE CHRISTIAN AND ANIMIST
REBELS IN THE SOUTH.
//OPT// THE AMBASSADOR SAYS THE U-N WILL ASK KENYAN PRESIDENT
DANIEL ARAP MOI, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL PEACE GROUP, TO
SELECT THE MEDIATOR, WHO WILL WORK OUT OF AN OFFICE IN NAIROBI.
MR. VRAALSEN SAYS HE DOESN'T EXPECT ANY OPPOSITION TO THIS
PROPOSAL FROM SUDAN'S WARRING FACTIONS.
///SECOND VRAALSEN ACT///
WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IF SUCH A
SECRETARIAT IS ESTABLISHED, AND IF SUCH A REPRESENTATIVE
IS APPOINTED, THAT THE PARTIES WILL NOT CONTRIBUTE TO
THAT AND ACTIVELY INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN THOSE KIND OF
NEGOTIATIONS. AFTER ALL, THEY BOTH (SAY) THAT THEY WANT
A SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT IN THAT COUNTRY.
///END ACT/// /END OPT//
THE U-N ENVOY SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT THE NEW MEDIATION TEAM BE
ESTABLISHED QUICKLY. HE SAYS A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE
SUDANESE CONFLICT MUST BE FOUND BECAUSE THE INTERNATIONAL DONOR
COMMUNITY CAN NOT SUSTAIN THE KIND OF SUPPORT IT GAVE LAST YEAR.
//REST OPT// INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE PREVENTED HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN SUDAN FROM STARVING TO DEATH. THIS YEAR,
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS APPEALED FOR NEARLY 200 MILLION DOLLARS TO
HELP AN ESTIMATED FOUR MILLION PEOPLE STRUCK BY WAR, DISEASE AND
HUNGER. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/PCF
15-Feb-99 10:04 AM EST (1504 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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