U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release August 17, 2000 STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN RESUMPTION OF RELIEF FLIGHTS TO SOUTHERN SUDAN We note that the United Nations resumed humanitarian relief flights to southern Sudan yesterday, with assurances from the Government of Sudan that the flights will operate in a safe environment. Last week, the United States condemned again repeated attacks by the Government of Sudan against civilian targets and international relief assets, which had no military purpose and resulted in more civilian casualties. The targeting of relief planes endangers the international humanitarian relief effort and increases the risk of starvation for tens of thousands of Sudanese civilians. We note that the Government of Sudan has given its commitment to protect Operation Lifeline Sudan, and we call on the Government to honor its April 19 pledge to end the bombing campaign in the south once and for all. We join the Secretary General of the United Nations in calling on the Government of Sudan and other parties to the conflict to ensure the safety and security of relief workers who are addressing the urgent needs of the civilian population in southern Sudan.
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