[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[October 25, 2000]
[Page 2326]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Bombing of Civilians in Southern Sudan
October 25, 2000

    I am deeply concerned by reports that the Government of Sudan is 
bombing innocent civilians in the southern part of the country. Last 
week Government aircraft dropped munitions on a village while an 
international relief agency was distributing food. International relief 
workers report that the Government of Sudan has bombed civilian and 
humanitarian locations more than 60 times during the past year.
    Such egregious abuses have become commonplace in Sudan's ongoing 
civil war, which has already claimed over 2 million lives. If the 
Government of Sudan seeks to demonstrate to the international community 
that it is prepared to act according to international norms and the rule 
of law, it must allow full and immediate access for humanitarian 
organizations seeking to provide relief to Sudan's war-ravaged 
civilians.