    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [January 9, 2005]
    [Pages 27-28]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation
    Movement Comprehensive Peace Agreement
    January 9, 2005

        I congratulate the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's
    Liberation Movement on the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement. I
    thank all the officials of the United States Government who have worked
    hard to help achieve this agreement, including Secretary of State Colin
    Powell, former Special Envoy for Sudan,

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    Ambassador John Danforth, and the Special
    Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, USAID Administrator Andrew
    Natsios. I also thank the
    Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which sponsored the talks,
    and the Government of Kenya, which hosted them, and the Governments of
    Norway and the United Kingdom and the African Union, which played
    constructive roles for peace.
        Both sides should be proud of this accomplishment. The difficult
    work of implementation must now begin. Only the implementation of this
    agreement in good faith can result in long-term peace and development.
        As we celebrate this positive movement toward peace in the
    longstanding North-South conflict, we remember the conflict in Darfur
    and the suffering it causes. This comprehensive peace agreement should
    serve as an inspiration and model for both sides in their work toward
    negotiating a peaceful resolution of the Darfur conflict. I call on the
    Government of Sudan and on all Darfur rebel groups to live up to their
    cease-fire commitments, to end atrocities, and to allow the free
    movement of humanitarian workers and supplies. The United States will
    continue to assist the people of Darfur in reaching a just and lasting
    peace.