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US Statement on Sudan Sanctions
U.S. State Department October 2, 2001
(Sudan has taken substantial steps against terrorism) (670) The U.S. government believes that Sudan "has taken substantial steps" to meet specific demands of the Security Council regarding terrorism, U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham told the United Nations September 28. Speaking during a Security Council meeting to lift sanctions against Sudan, Cunningham said that the United States did not oppose the lifting of sanctions because Sudan has recently apprehended extremists whose activities may have contributed to international terrorism and is also engaged in serious discussions with the United States about ways to combat terrorism. The council ended sanctions imposed in 1996 in an effort to get Sudan to extradite three suspects in connection with a 1995 assassination attempt against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The council also demanded that Sudan stop supporting terrorist activities and giving shelter to terrorists. The sanctions required nations to reduce the number of Sudanese diplomats in their country, restrict the travel of Sudan government and military officials, and deny Sudanese planes from using or flying over their territories. The resolution, which was adopted by a vote of 14 to Cunningham also said that it was not satisfactory that the assassination attempt suspects had not been turned over to the appropriate authorities, but noted that the United States, Egypt, and Ethiopia believe "they are no longer in Sudan." "We expect the Government of Sudan to demonstrate a full commitment to the fight against international terrorism by taking every step to expel terrorists and deny them safe haven," the ambassador said. Following is the text of the ambassador's remarks: (begin text) Explanation of Vote by Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Deputy U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on Sudan, in the Security Council September 28, 2001 Thank you, Mr. President. The U.S. Government believes that the Government of Sudan has taken substantial steps to meet the specific demands of UN Security Council Resolution 1054. We note with concern, however, that the suspects wanted in connection with the 1995 assassination attempt on President Mubarak in Addis Ababa were not turned over to the appropriate authorities. This was not satisfactory. However, we believe, as do the governments of Egypt and Ethiopia, that they are no longer in Sudan. In this regard, we take very seriously the letters sent to the Council by the Governments of Egypt and Ethiopia -- the victims of the incident that led to the UN Security Council actions on Sudan -- calling for a lifting of Council sanctions anyway. We strongly urge the authorities of all states to continue the effort to bring these suspects to justice. Sudan has recently apprehended extremists within that country whose activities may have contributed to international terrorism. Sudan is also engaged in serious discussions with my Government about ways to combat terrorism. We welcome those steps and expect this cooperation to continue. We expect the Government of Sudan to demonstrate a full commitment to the fight against international terrorism by taking every step to expel terrorists and deny them safe haven. The United States also has continuing concerns about the enormous suffering of the Sudanese people. The civil war in the Sudan has lasted some 18 years and has caused immense human misery -- two million people have died, there have been massive displacements of civilians, human rights continue to be abused, and human beings there continue to be traded as slaves. My Government will continue to demand that the Government of Sudan address these issues, while we work to build greater cooperation in the international fight against terrorism. The President recently named a distinguished American, Senator John Danforth, to engage Sudan on these and other issues. In light of these considerations the U.S. has abstained on this resolution. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)