US welcomes progress in Sudanese peace

The US State Department on Wednesday issued a statement welcoming an agreement reached between the Sudanese government and rebels during negotiations last week in Kenya to establish a permanent secretariat for Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Nairobi, to form committees to address key issues in negotiations, and to appoint a Kenyan envoy to the process.

The statement, delivered by acting State Department spokesman Phillip Reeker, urged speedy implementation of the agreement so the two sides can reconvene within 60 days.

"Once the enhancements are in place, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) must come prepared to engage in serious, continuous negotiations," it said, adding that US President Bill Clinton plans to name a special envoy to the Sudanese peace process through IGAD. "The United States also is prepared to provide financial and technical assistance to ensure the enhancements are effective in re-energizing the process," it said.

The statement also expressed concern that the Sudanese government has not extended the ceasefire in Bahr al-Ghazal province.