US spells out position on Sudan

A message from US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said US "policy is to isolate the Government of Sudan; to counter the threat it poses to the United States, its neighbors, and its own people; and to press for fundamental change in its policies."

A statement delivered by US Ambassador at Large for War Crimes David Scheffer on behalf of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to the Hill Summit on Sudan, which was organized by religious organizations, said, "Since the National Islamic Front seized power from a democratically elected government in 1989, the United States has been at odds with the Government of Sudan. That regime has actively supported international terrorist organizations and regional insurgencies. It has compiled an appalling human rights record, including torture, religious persecution, and forced imposition of Sharia law. And it has prolonged a vicious and inhumane war, not hesitating to enslave, starve and bomb civilians in violation of international humanitarian law."

The statement asserted that the US is working to end the war in Sudan, saying, "the United States has worked intensely this year to revitalize the peace process led by Sudan's East African neighbors through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)."

She added that the US is providing half of the funding for a peace process secretariat that is being established in Kenya.

Albright recently met with southern Sudanese rebel leader John Garang in Kenya during an African tour, at the conclusion of which she endorsed the IGAD peace initiative over an Egyptian - Libyan initiative.