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State's Zoellick Travels to Sudan Promoting Peace, Aid to Darfur

04 November 2005

High-level delegation to meet with all sides in effort to end disputes

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick will travel to Sudan and Kenya November 6-11 to work for progress in ongoing efforts toward peace in Sudan, in supplying aid to distressed residents of the Darfur region and in achieving a political settlement of the continuing Darfur crisis, the State Department announced November 4.

"Helping to end violence, ease suffering and forge a lasting political solution for Sudan's conflicts remain high priorities for the United States," Zoellick said in a State Department statement.  "Over 50 percent of the international aid for Sudan has come from the United States," he added.

Zoellick will lead a high-level U.S. delegation that includes Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer.

In Sudan, Zoellick will meet with leaders of the government of national unity, heads of key rebel groups, representatives of Southern Sudan's new government, diplomats from other countries involved in Sudan, international organization and nongovernmental organization representatives and Sudanese religious leaders and citizens.  In Darfur, he will also meet with top officials of the African Union peacekeeping mission.

In Kenya, Zoellick will meet with leaders of the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), pressing them to set aside their internal differences, to respect the cease-fire and develop a unified position for the peace negotiations in Abuja, Nigeria.

The people of Sudan inaugurated a new government of national unity, under a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), on July 9, ending 20 years of civil war between the predominantly Muslim North and the predominantly Christian and animist South of the country.  Under the CPA, the southern rebel leader, John Garang, became first vice president of the country.

Three weeks later, Garang was killed in a helicopter crash and Salva Kiir succeeded him as first vice president.  Kiir met in Washington with Zoellick on November 1 in his capacity as Sudan's first vice president and also as president of the recently formed, autonomous government of Southern Sudan.

While visiting Sudan, Zoellick plans to press for progress under the CPA and emphasize U.S. support for humanitarian assistance in Darfur and particular concern for the safety of women in the Darfur camps.

Following is the text of the State Department statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 4, 2005

STATEMENT BY SEAN MCCORMACK, SPOKESMAN

Deputy Secretary Zoellick to Travel to Sudan and Kenya to Advance Peace Process, Press For Improved Security and Help For Darfur

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick will travel to Kenya and Sudan November 6-11 to press for progress in the ongoing Sudanese peace process, an end to the violence in Darfur that threatens aid relief, and achievement of a political settlement of the Darfur crisis.  Accompanying Zoellick will be Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi E. Frazer.

Zoellick will meet with leaders of the Government of National Unity involved in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), leaders of key rebel groups in Darfur, representatives of the new Government of Southern Sudan, diplomats from other countries involved in Sudan, representatives of international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as religious leaders and citizens of Sudan.  While in Darfur, Zoellick will meet with top officials of the African Union Mission.

"Helping to end violence, ease suffering and forge a lasting political solution for Sudan's conflicts remain high priorities for the United States.  Over fifty percent of the international aid for Sudan has come from the United States," Zoellick said.  "We are focused on using the CPA as a framework to assist the people of Sudan achieve lasting political solutions to the country's multiple crises, including Darfur.  We are supporting peacekeeping missions to stop the violence, engaging Sudan's neighbors to play a constructive role, and providing humanitarian relief to people who are suffering."

"Sudan is at a critical juncture.  Large-scale killing in Darfur has subsided, but a recent upswing of violence is a serious danger.  The CPA has survived the tragic death of one of its architects, but progress needs to be stepped up.  Darfur rebel groups are fighting amongst themselves.  Any spark could set off a wildfire, so all of the key parties have important work to do to keep things on track," Zoellick said.

Zoellick will visit Nairobi, Kenya, and in Sudan will visit Khartoum, Darfur and Juba.

In Kenya, Zoellick will meet with leaders of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM).  He will press the SLM leaders to set aside their internal differences, to respect the ceasefire, and to develop a unified position for the Abuja peace negotiations.

In Khartoum, Zoellick will meet with the President Omer Hassan Ahmed Al Bashir, along with First Vice President Salva Kiir, and Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha.  Zoellick will deliver an address in Khartoum setting out U.S. policy in Sudan, and will also meet with religious leaders.

In Darfur, Zoellick will visit AU peacekeeping forces and their commanders.  Zoellick will also visit displaced persons camps to emphasize U.S. support for humanitarian assistance and to listen directly to those in need and suffering.  Secretary of State Rice has expressed particular concern for the safety of women in the Darfur camps, and Zoellick will visit a women's crisis center which the U.S. has initiated.

"The situation remains tenuous," Zoellick said.  "Civil war, violence and a lack of hope have sadly become a daily fact of life for millions of Sudanese over the last three decades.  There are no quick fixes here.  But President Bush is committed to improve the situation, and the United States is working day in and day out, trying to make things better, and we will continue to work with others to find a lasting solution for the Darfur crisis."

In Juba, Zoellick will be received by the President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir; Vice President Riek Machar; Speaker of the Southern Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga; and cabinet and Legislative Assembly members.  He will also visit the Memorial to Dr. John Garang, the southern Sudanese leader who died tragically on July 30 in a helicopter crash in Southern Sudan, as well as meeting with his widow, Rebecca Garang, the Minister of Transportation and Roads in the Government of Southern Sudan.

Also in the U.S. delegation will be Special Advisor to the President Michael Gerson; Africa Director Cindy Courville, and the Deputy Secretary's Special Representative Roger Winter.

The United States is a leading donor of assistance to Sudan.  In FY 2005, the United States provided over $650 million to Darfur, mostly in humanitarian assistance and support for the African Union Mission, and over $450 million in reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to other areas in Sudan, including Southern Sudan.

The United States recently appointed a new Charge d'Affaires for its Mission to Sudan, Ambassador Cameron Hume.  His appointment reflects the high priority the United States places on support for the implementation of the CPA and a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Darfur.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)