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24 April 2000

Text: U.S. Welcomes Sudan's Announcement on Civilian Bombing

(Asks for complete cessation of bombing) (250)
The United States government welcomes President Omar Bashir's April 19
announcement that the Sudanese government will end its aerial bombing
of civilian targets in "deep" southern Sudan.
In a written statement released April 24 in Washington, State
Department Spokesman James P. Rubin also asks, however, for a
"complete cessation" of such bombings in all parts of southern and
eastern Sudan.
Following is the text of the statement:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 24, 2000
STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN
SUDANESE GOVERNMENT STATEMENT HALTING AERIAL BOMBING IN SOUTHERN SUDAN
The United States Government welcomes President Omar Bashir's April 19
announcement that the Sudanese government will end its aerial bombing
of civilian targets in "deep" southern Sudan.
Unfortunately, this statement was obscured by a number of
qualifications and ambiguities including on the geographical areas
covered by the pledge and the circumstances under which such
bombardments might continue.
The U.S. calls upon the Government of Sudan to ensure a complete
cessation of all bombing raids in all parts of southern and eastern
Sudan. The bombing campaign has been used to terrorize civilian
populations and has little military value. We expect all parties to
the conflict to abide by internationally accepted humanitarian and
human rights principles.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)