DATE=3/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SUDAN/U-S (L)
NUMBER=2-259833
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The U-S special envoy to Sudan is in Khartoum
for the first time since his appointment six months
ago. V-O-A Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from our
Middle East Bureau in Cairo that the visit signals
relations may be set to improve between the United
States and Sudan after a lengthy period of
confrontation.
TEXT: U-S special envoy Harry Johnston arrived in
Sudan saying his mandate includes issues of particular
concern to the U-S government - namely, the war with
southern Sudanese rebels, humanitarian aid to those
displaced by the war and human rights.
A senior Sudanese official described a meeting with
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail as a
good initial contact, but told reporters that
bilateral relations must also be addressed.
Since his appointment last August, the U-S special
envoy has met with Sudanese rebels, opposition
leaders, and with government officials outside Sudan.
However, this is his first official visit to Khartoum.
/// REST OPT ///
Relations between the U-S and Sudanese governments
deteriorated following the coup in 1989 that installed
the Islamic government of President Omar al-Bashir.
They reached their lowest point 18 months ago, when U-
S cruise missiles destroyed a pharmaceutical plant
outside Khartoum in retaliation for the bombings of
the U-S embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
However, relations appeared set to improve after a
power struggle within the Sudanese government led to
the side-lining of Speaker of Parliament Hassan al-
Turabi, who is viewed as the hard-line ideologue of
the regime.
Nevertheless, the U-S government a few days ago
announced it was imposing sanctions against Sudan's
government-owned petroleum company, saying Sudan was
using revenues from oil exports to finance the war
against southern rebels. Sudan denies the charge.
The war and charges of abuses against southern
Sudanese have been a major source of friction with the
government in Khartoum. African governments are
seeking to mediate the conflict, but progress to date
has been slow. (Signed)
NEB/SB/ALW/JP
04-Mar-2000 12:18 PM EDT (04-Mar-2000 1718 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
