Sudan approves appointing U.S delegate concerning the south

Sudanese sources approved today in Cairo the decision of U.S President Bill Clinton to appoint an official for the issue of southern Sudan and human rights and activating the regional peace endeavors headed by Kenya.

US State Department Spokesman James Rubin said yesterday that the envoy, who has not yet been named, "will focus US efforts on supporting the peace process there at this sensitive time, and will also focus on reducing human rights abuses, improving humanitarian responses, and revitalizing the peace effort led by Kenya. This appointment is a clear signal of our heightened commitment to help end Sudan's 16-year war."

The Sudanese sources said, "There must not be U.S partiality toward the aid, and this must be through the Sudanese government. And there must not be a violation of Sudan's sovereignty in the south or support for the rebels on the account of the ruling system."