Military

DATE=10/21/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S/SUDAN AIRLIFT (S/L)

NUMBER=2-319821

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: US to Airlift Rwandan Peacekeepers to Darfur

INTRO: The U-S military is set to begin an airlift of Rwandan peacekeepers into Sudan's troubled Darfur region. At the Pentagon, Correspondent Nick Simeone tells us the mission is expected to last about two weeks.

TEXT: This operation will involve some 120 U.S. airmen and two C-130 transport planes.

/// RYDER ACT ///

"The objective is to airlift African Union troops from Rwanda to the Darfur region in Sudan."

/// END ACT ///

U.S. military spokesman Major Patrick Ryder says the mission is part of a decision by the African Union to expand the number of peacekeepers set for duty in Darfur.

The United Nations estimates that about 70-thousand Sudanese have died as a result of the nearly three year old conflict in western Sudan. Secretary of State Colin Powell has used the word "genocide" to describe attacks there by pro-Khartoum Arab militias on Darfur villagers.

/// REST FOR LONG ///

U-S Air Force Captain Heather Healy is in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.

/// HEALY ACT ///

"Our goal is to just to get the Rwandans and support the AU in its mission to mitigate the crisis in Darfur."

/// END ACT ///

Although the mission is being conducted under the auspices of the African Union, a U.S. military official says the Sudanese government and the United States reached their own agreement for U.S. military aircraft to be able to land on Sudanese territory. (SIGNED)

NEB/NJS/FC/KL