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05 February 2003

United States Welcomes Effort to Bolster Cease-Fire in Sudan

(Government bears 'principal responsibility' for violence, U.S.
says) (460)
The United States welcomes the Addendum to the ceasefire signed by the
Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement
strengthening the cease-fire that was signed last October.
In a statement released February 5, State Department Deputy Spokesman
Philip T. Reeker noted February 5 that the parties to that agreement
have also stated that "they would facilitate voluntary return of
persons displaced by the fighting and would cooperate with the
international community to ensure that humanitarian relief reaches
needy populations."
Following is the text of the Reeker statement:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
February 5, 2003
Statement by Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman
Sudan: United States Welcomes Effort to Bolster Cease-fire
The United States welcomes the Addendum signed by the Government of
Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement strengthening the
cease-fire that was signed last October. The Addendum to the
cease-fire was signed February 4 at the peace talks in Karen, Kenya.
The United States, along with the United Kingdom, Norway and others,
worked closely with both parties to the conflict and General
Sumbeiywo, the Inter Governmental Authority on Development mediator of
the peace talks, to reach agreement on the Addendum. Specifically, the
Addendum includes key commitments by the Government to halt
construction of a contentious oil-area road; and by both sides to pull
back forces to the locations they occupied prior to the signing of the
original cease-fire.
In a separate joint statement, the parties stated that they would
facilitate voluntary return of persons displaced by the fighting and
would cooperate with the international community to ensure that
humanitarian relief reaches needy populations.
If respected by the two sides, the provisions contained in the
cease-fire and the just-signed Addendum will help advance the peace
process. The United States and the international community expect the
parties to work expeditiously and in good faith to negotiate a peace
settlement.
As we have previously made clear, the Sudanese government bears the
principal responsibility for the violence that has taken place through
attacks aimed at clearing civilian populations from oil producing
areas, construction of a road and related garrisons in the
oil-producing areas, and a movement of forces. The Civilian Protection
Monitoring Mechanism is concluding its investigations of these actions
and is expected to release its report shortly.
At the request of the two parties and General Sumbeiywo, the Civilian
Protection Monitoring Mechanism will assist in the monitoring and
verification of the cessation of hostilities. This reflects the
continuing commitment of the United States to achieve a just and
comprehensive peace settlement.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)