| Press Statement (Revised) Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC June 8, 2001 Reports of Recent Attacks in Southern SudanWe are concerned about reports that the Government of Sudan has launched a series of aerial strikes against civilian targets in the south of the country in recent days, breaking Khartoum's pledge to end bombings of civilian targets announced on May 25. According to reports, on June 6, government bombs killed four Sudanese civilians in a bombing in Bahr al-Ghazal State which took place while the World Food Program was making a food drop in the area. Two other towns in Bahr al-Ghazal, Marial Bai and Mapel, were bombed again in the past few days. Mapel's airport is critical to addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region because it is used as a staging area by Operation Lifeline Sudan, the primary international relief mechanism. Attacks on civilian targets are an outrage and threaten the welfare of many innocent people. If confirmed, these reports raise serious questions about the assurances that we have heard from the Government of Sudan. Secretary Powell has repeatedly emphasized that a halt to the bombing is critical to moving forward. We have condemned these attacks and call on the Government of Sudan for a full explanation. |
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