Humanitarian crisis in Sudan - Assistant Secretary for African Affairs George E. Moose speech - includes statement by President Bill Clinton on recognition of government of Angola by U.S - Transcript

US Department of State Dispatch, May 24, 1993

As we have consistently stressed to the government, its Islamic orientation is not at issue. Our objection, rather, is to a state-sponsored effort to impose a specific religion and religious law, and to use religious criteria as a standard for higher education and government positions. These policies result in the violation of basic human rights. There are reports that Christian charities, even indigenous ones, are denied access to some areas of the country, while Islamic charities operate freely. We are especially disturbed about reports of pressures for conversion exerted in camps of the displaced in return for food, clothing, and education for destitute children.

As we have reported to you before, we continue to watch Sudan closely in connection with our worldwide efforts to combat terrorism. Khartoum harbors known terrorists and terrorist groups, including Hizballah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. It maintains close ties to Libya and Iraq, which it tacitly supported during the Gulf war, and especially to Iran. We are now reviewing the situation closely and will make the determination soon on whether to designate Sudan a state sponsor of terrorism based on the facts and the law.

Diplomatic Actions

We are also working hard, and with some success, to maintain international pressure on Khartoum in order to moderate the regime's human rights behavior. A resolution, which we sponsored at the UN General Assembly in December, called attention to Sudan's human rights record and its unproductive approach to the humanitarian needs of its own population. The United States has successfully prompted a UN Human Rights Commission resolution appointing a special rapporteur to examine alleged abuses in Sudan.

Aside from these successful efforts within the UN system, we have pursued bilateral approaches to engage our allies in focusing international concern on the situation in Sudan. One focus of this effort has been on diplomatic efforts to discourage shipments of arms to Sudan. For our own part, we have formalized a policy of disapproving all license applications for military-related exports to Sudan and have asked our allies to do the same. Further, we have urged our donor partners to follow our lead in suspending non-humanitarian development assistance to Sudan.

There is some indication that these measures have begun to bring home to the government of Khartoum that internationally unacceptable behavior has economic and political consequences. A dialogue with the government on human rights and other issues continues, and we hope that this dialogue will encourage additional constructive moves by Khartoum. We have heard that the Government of Sudan has approved the resumption of International Committee of the Red Cross activities in the country. This is welcome news. At the same time, I am increasingly concerned that intraSPLA fighting is becoming as much an obstacle to peace as the standoff between the Government of Sudan and the SPLA.

Next Steps

In order to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, I am convinced we must, in concert with the world community, find ways to pressure all involved to negotiate seriously. When I was in Europe late last month, I consulted with our allies on what we can do in Sudan. There was general agreement that increased UN involvement in the peace process, and in humanitarian efforts, is necessary. Our ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, took the initiative in New York by going to the PERM-5 to push for a higher profile role for the United Nations and to galvanize coordinated international action.