State Department Noon Briefing
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2000 1:10 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Q: Have you seen the reports that Sudanese rebels have captured the
town of Kassala, and can you confirm it independently at all?
MR. BOUCHER: Let me see. I'm not we can confirm exactly. We know there
is fighting on the eastern fronts. What we have seen is the reports
that the National Democratic Alliance, the Sudanese opposition
umbrella group, may have captured Kassala.
The eastern front has been active in recent weeks. Fighting has taken
place around areas neighboring Kassala. The taking of Kassala would be
a significant development. It is important because of its proximity to
Port Sudan, the oil pipeline and Khartoum, the capital. But the latest
fighting increase, to us, underscores the need to pursue a negotiated
settlement to the civil war.
Q: Have you had any contact with the NDA - (inaudible) --?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't know.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:45 P.M.)
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