Clinton extends Sudan sanctions
Sudan-USA, Politics, 10/29/1998

US President Bill Clinton submitted a letter to congress Tuesday and a notice to the Federal Register yesterday extending the US national emergency in respect to Sudan, imposed on November 3, 1997.

Clinton's letter stated that the conditions that brought about the original measures have not been resolved. "The Government of Sudan continues to support international terrorism and engage in human rights violations, including the denial of religious freedom," the letter said, adding that the Sudanese government's actions threaten US national security and foreign policy.

The extension, which will remain in effect for a duration of one year, continues the original measures taken in 1997, which "imposed trade sanctions on Sudan and blocked Sudanese government assets," the notice said.

Difference between the two countries have remained highly visible, especially after the August 20 bombing of a pharmaceutical plant outside the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The US alleged the plant had financial connections to Osama Bin Laden, who is suspected of being behind the bombings outside US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania earlier this summer, and that the plant was producing "precursor" chemicals that are used in chemical weapons.

Sudan has called for an international inspection of the factory site to verify the US claims, but the US has opposed the call.

Previous Stories:
  Sudan wants a fact-finding mission concerning factory bombed by U.S.A   (10/10/1998)
  US military strikes against Afghanistan and Sudan targets in self defense   (8/20/1998)
  Sudan: Accuses Washington of new efforts to topple it   (2/12/1998)

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