DATE=4/2/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247577
TITLE=RED CROSS / SUDAN (L)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (I-C-R-C)
HAS CONDEMNED THE KILLINGS OF THREE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT WORKERS
AND A SUDANESE RED CROSS EMPLOYEE WHO WERE ABDUCTED BY THE REBEL
SUDAN PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS
REBELS SEIZED THE FOUR SUDANESE CITIZENS FEBRUARY 18TH ALONG WITH
TWO FOREIGN RED CROSS WORKERS WHO WERE LATER RELEASED.
TEXT: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS SAYS IT IS
SHOCKED AND APPALLED AT THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF THE FOUR
SUDANESE. IT SAYS THE FOUR, ALONG WITH TWO FOREIGN RED CROSS
DELEGATES, INADVERTENTLY STRAYED INTO TERRITORY HELD BY THE
REBELS WHILE WORKING NEAR THE SOUTHERN SUDANESE TOWN OF BENTIU.
A RED CROSS SPOKESMAN SAYS AFTER NEARLY ONE MONTH IN CAPTIVITY,
THE REBELS RELEASED THE TWO FOREIGN WORKERS BUT HELD ON TO THE
OTHERS.
// RED CROSS ACT//
WHILE WE WERE OF COURSE HAPPY TO HAVE THE TWO BACK. WE
KNEW IMMEDIATELY THAT THIS WOULD POSE A PROBLEM. OF THE
FOUR REMAINING PEOPLE ONE OF THEM WAS A SUDANESE RED
CRESCENT WORKER FOR WHOM WE FELT PARTICULARLY
RESPONSIBLE. THE OTHERS WERE LIAISON PERSONNEL MADE
AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT BUT THEY WERE ALSO PART OF
THE SURVEYING MISSION THAT STRAYED INTO OTHER TERRITORY.
SO WE HAVE REALLY LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED TO GET THE FOUR
SUDANESE OUT AS WELL.
//END ACT//
RED CROSS PRESIDENT CORNELIUS SOMMARUGA RECENTLY MET WITH
SUDANESE REBEL LEADER JOHN GARANG AND PUBLICLY URGED HIM TO
RELEASE THE FOUR SUDANESE CITIZENS.
THE RED CROSS SAYS IT IS AFRAID THE DEATHS OF THE MEN MIGHT
SERIOUSLY DAMAGE ITS ABILITY TO CARRY OUT ITS HUMANITARIAN
OPERATIONS IN SUDAN. THE RED CROSS SAYS IT CAN WORK ONLY IF IT
TRUSTED BY BOTH SIDES IN THE CONFLICT AND THIS TRUST, IT SAYS, IS
UNDER HEAVY STRAIN.
THE RED CROSS SPOKESMAN SAYS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS
IN SOUTHERN SUDAN LIVE IN A PERILOUS STATE AND DEPEND ON RED
CROSS ASSISTANCE FOR SURVIVAL.
// RED CROSS WORKER ACT TWO//
IT IS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE THAT PROGRAMS LIKE I-C-R-C'S
SEED DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM FOR SIXTY THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS
OR HEALTH PROGRAMS OR WATER AND SANITATION PROGRAMS DO
GO ON. AND IF BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT, THE I-C-R-C
SHOULD LOOSE THE GOOD LEVEL OF ACCEPTANCE IT HAD
THROUGHOUT SUDAN, THAT WOULD REALLY BE TRAGIC. NOT SO
MUCH FOR THE I-C-R-C, BUT FOR THE VICTIMS WHO COULD NO
LONGER GET THE EMERGENCY AID ON WHICH THEY DEPEND.
//END ACT//
THE RED CROSS IS DEMANDING A FULL INQUIRY INTO THE DEATHS AND IT
IS ASKING THE REBELS TO RETURN THE FOUR BODIES FOR BURIAL.
(SIGNED)
NEB/LS/ENE-T/JO
02-Apr-99 5:11 PM EST (2211 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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