Remarks by Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff, Acting U.S. Permanent Representative, on Sudan

Ambassador Wolff: I just saw the Secretary General go in, I don’t want to be late for this meeting but we’re looking forward to hearing from Chairman Konare, this microphone working? Anyway I was just saying I’m looking forward to hearing Chairman Konare brief the Council, we’ll have an opportunity to ask him some questions and hope we can move forward expeditiously on the necessary deployments that have been too long in waiting.

Reporter: Have the Sudanese agreed to the deployment in your view?

Ambassador Wolff: We have seen a letter from the Sudanese Ambassador, learned a long time ago not to take these letters at face value, we’ll see whether they have agreed when we actually start to deploy.

Reporter: Is the deployment only logistical assistance, only doctors and engineers or what are the deployment that has been agreed on, implies?

Ambassador Wolff: I’m sorry I can’t hear you.

Reporter: Is it just logistical and engineers that will go in or is it peacekeepers …?

Ambassador Wolff: Well the first stage of course is the heavy support package, which is equipment with personnel leading to a hybrid force, which will be a force up to about 20,000.

Reporter: But this second phase is blue helmets, right?

Ambassador Wolff: Blue helmets under UN and heavy support package. But again the actual deployment of forces will be part of the hybrid deployment later this year.

Reporter: Do you think the threat of sanctions is what led to this?