|
Senator Danforth's peace mission to the Sudan runs into obstacles
Episcopal News Service
Issue:
Section:
2002-015-3
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2002
|
President Bush's special envoy for peace in the Sudan has run into major obstacles. Retired Senator John Danforth of Missouri said that he was not able to convince the Khartoum government to end its attacks on civilian targets in the country's 19-year-old civil war that has claimed some 2 million lives and displaced another 4 million. 'The direct, intentional and egregious attacks on civilians is the key to our proposal,' he said after returning from the region January 15. 'I am sorry to say we have made no real progress on these issues.'
Danforth will recommend to Bush this spring whether the United States should continue its efforts in pursuing a peace process.
President Omar Hassan Bashir did offer to suspend bombing for four weeks but only if the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army accepted an unconditional cease-fire. Danforth pushed Khartoum to accept independent monitors as a means to verify civilian casualties but Khartoum said that such a suggestion was 'embarrassing.'
Speaking at a service in Khartoum's All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Danforth said he didn't know whether the leadership in either the Arab Muslim north or the African animist and Christian south were ready or willing to make peace. 'Christians are called by their lord to be peacemakers,' he told the congregation. 'We are called to bring wholeness where there is brokenness.'
Danforth told United Press International that he intended to raise issues of religious freedom with the government. 'A country that persecutes minorities, that tries to impose religion on another, such a country will never be close to the United States.'
|
|
|
|
| © 2004, The Episcopal Church, USA. Episcopal News Service content may be reprinted without permission as long as credit is given to ENS. |
|
|
|
