DATE=8/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / SUDAN (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265291
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations says it is halting its
humanitarian operation in Sudan until it has
guarantees of security from the Sudanese government.
Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports that what the U-N calls
Operation Lifeline Sudan was temporarily suspended
following the bombing of a U-N aid base in a rebel
held area.
TEXT: The United Nations says nine bombs were dropped
on a U-N base Wednesday in rebel-held Mapel. The
incident follows one that occurred Monday, in which
eighteen bombs were dropped near another base used by
Operation Lifeline Sudan in Mapel. A U-N plane that
had been cleared for aid flights by the Sudanese
government was on the airstrip at the time.
U-N Assistant Emergency Relief Coordinator Ross
Mountain says aid workers are being moved out of the
area because of concerns for their safety. He says U-N
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has condemned the attacks
and has expressed his concerns about the safety of all
those working on Operation Lifeline Sudan.
/// MOUNTAIN ACT ///
He (Annan) was extremely disappointed
(about) that two days ago event and then again
today (Wednesday) have occurred after the
previous problems and despite assurances that we
have been given from the government that there
would be no occurrence.
(Reporter) It is the government that is doing
the bombing? (Mountain) These are government
aircraft.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Mountain says he does not know why the Sudan
government is doing this. He says government
officials have assured him that they support Operation
Lifeline Sudan.
The program was launched in 1989. It has since
provided food and other vital supplies to millions of
civilians affected by the 17-year old civil war in
southern Sudan. Mr. Mountain says U-N officials are
discussing the situation with the government.
/// 2ND MOUNTAIN ACT ///
We have suspended until we judge - that's to say
our people on the ground in particular and those
of us in headquarters -- can judge the security
situation as being adequately safe for a
continuation of the flights. I would emphasize
that this is a temporary stoppage as far as we
are concerned of the relief flights. This is
not a stoppage of the total operation of O-L-S.
(Operation Lifeline Sudan).
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Mountain says the flight ban is complete. It
affects all of Sudan, not just the south. He says
most of the U-N staff is still working on the ground
and distributing whatever stocks of food and other
supplies it has to the victims of the war. But he
says the United Nations is reconsidering their
presence there in light of what has happened. (Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/ENE/KL
09-Aug-2000 12:18 PM EDT (09-Aug-2000 1618 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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