Tweets from Hillary Clinton: Happy Birthday to the Foreign Service and Sudanese Death Sentence

 

Hillary ClintonVerified account ‏@HillaryClinton

Happy 90th Birthday to my former colleagues in the Foreign Service! It was an honor to spend 4 years working with you. #FS90

 

Hillary ClintonVerified account ‏@HillaryClinton

Meriam Yahya Ibrahim’s death sentence is abhorrent. Sudan should stop threatening religious freedom and fundamental human rights.

 

Mariam Yahya Ibrahim, Sudanese Woman, Sentenced To Death For Choosing Christianity Over Islam

Reuters  | by  Khalid Abdel Azizi

KHARTOUM, May 15 (Reuters) - A Sudanese court has sentenced a 27-year-old woman to death for converting to Christianity, judicial sources said.

Mariam Yahya Ibrahim had been ordered to abandon her newly adopted Christian faith and return to Islam. She had also been charged with adultery for marrying a Christian man.

Judge Abbas al Khalifa asked Ibrahim whether she would return to Islam. After she said "I am a Christian," the death sentence was handed down, the judicial sources said.

Read more >>>>

Hillary Clinton, William Hague, and Espen Barth Eide Welcome Tomorrow's Presidential Summit in Addis Ababa

Joint Statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 3, 2013

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Following is the text of a joint statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Begin Text:
We welcome the news that the Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan are to meet in Addis Ababa on 4 January in a further effort to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries. We applaud the progress made at their Presidential Summit held in Addis Ababa at the end of September 2012, which demonstrated that a durable and equitable settlement is within reach.
We commend the continuing valuable role of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel led by former President Thabo Mbeki and the efforts of Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
We regret that progress in implementing the Agreements signed on 27 September has stalled and in particular that the agreed security arrangements at the border are not yet in place. We call on the two leaders now to address concretely all outstanding issues and ensure that the armed forces of the two countries immediately withdraw from the demilitarized zone and deploy the Joint Border and Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), in line with what has been agreed.
We stress the importance of making progress in parallel on other parts of the relationship between the two countries. Full implementation of all agreements on their own terms and without preconditions or linkages between them, will help build confidence and benefit the people of the two countries. The restart of oil production and export will be particularly valuable for both economies and should not be held up by negotiation on other issues.
We underline our support for the approach taken by the African Union to the question of Abyei. The proposal made by former President Mbeki is based on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including the Abyei Protocol. The proposal, adopted by AUPSC on October 24, sets out a clear path towards determining Abyei’s final status in accordance with agreements already signed by both parties, while protecting the rights of all communities and ensuring Abyei can become a model for cross-border cooperation and coexistence. We note in particular that the proposal provides for Abyei’s continuing special status as a bridge between the two countries with guaranteed political and economic rights for both the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya, whatever the outcome of the referendum. We urge the two countries to meet to elaborate on these rights and to move toward agreement on Abyei’s final status.
We remind the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan that the international community is fully committed to a vision of two viable countries at peace with one another, and that we stand ready to support them in realizing that vision. We strongly urge them to seize the opportunity of the Summit meeting on 4 January to demonstrate their commitment to implement what they have agreed and make peaceful coexistence a reality.

Hillary Clinton Applauds Sudan-South Sudan Agreements

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with South Sudan President Salva Kiir,, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at the Presidential Office Building in Juba, South Sudan. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)

Signing of Agreements between Sudan and South Sudan

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

September 27, 2012

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I applaud today's agreements between Sudan and South Sudan on security, oil, financial, nationality, and trade issues. This is a critical step toward the peaceful resolution of the outstanding issues, as required by the African Union Peace and Security Council Roadmap and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2046, and toward fostering a new peace, greater stability and development, and new economic partnerships.
The leadership shown on both sides is an example of what is possible when people come together in good faith and choose a brighter future for their people. We hope that these agreements pave the way for resolution by the Government of Sudan of the conflict and the humanitarian needs in Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur.
The leadership of President Thabo Mbeki and the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel has enabled the parties to achieve these agreements. Their relentless efforts, coupled with the commitment of international partners, particularly the African Union, the chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations, have brought new hope to the people of Sudan and South Sudan.
It is a moment worth celebrating, but the success of the agreements will depend on the next steps. We call on the parties to maintain their commitments, live up to the serious responsibilities to which they have agreed, and immediately begin to implement these agreements. We also strongly urge the parties to agree on a sustainable process to resolve the final status of the disputed border area of Abyei. The United States supports the execution of all agreements reached today, and we stand with the Sudanese and South Sudanese people in pursuit of a lasting peace.

Hillary Clinton Welcomes Oil Agreement Between Sudan and South Sudan, Calls for Peace and Humanitarian Access

Ever since South Sudan became a separate country last year, this dispute has been going on.  Yesterday morning, Hillary Clinton went to Juba and requested an end to the disagreement, and look, today there finally is an agreement.


At a background briefing in Nairobi today, A senior State Department Official said (emphasis is mine):

The Secretary went to Juba in order to use her diplomatic influence and credibility to strongly encourage President Salva Kiir and the leadership of the South Sudan Government to embrace an acceptable and reasonable agreement that would bring to an end one of the most difficult and thorny issues left unresolved prior to that government’s independence from Sudan. She achieved that.
And it should be seen as her achievement; it should be seen as a major diplomatic success.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with South Sudan President Salva Kiir,, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at the Presidential Office Building in Juba, South Sudan. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)

Statement on the Oil Agreement Between South Sudan and Sudan

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

August 4, 2012

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I welcome the agreement on oil reached between the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan. This agreement reflects leadership and a new spirit of compromise on both sides.
We praise the courage of the Republic of South Sudan's leadership in taking this decision. As I said in Juba yesterday, the interests of their people were at stake. The oil impasse has lasted more than six months. Now was the time to bring this impasse to a close, for the good of the people of South Sudan and their aspirations for a better future in the face of ongoing challenges. South Sudan's leaders have risen to the occasion. They tabled a bold comprehensive proposal at this latest round of talks, and an agreement was hammered out with the strong assistance of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan (AUHIP). The future of South Sudan is now brighter.
For Sudan, too, this agreement offers a way out of the extreme economic stress it is now experiencing. The Government of Sudan deserves credit for taking this step. If Sudan would now also take the steps to peace in Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur, and if it will respect the rights of all citizens, it can likewise give its people a brighter future.
Finally, we are encouraged by the potential announcement of an agreement shortly on humanitarian access to Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. We urge immediate implementation of this urgently needed assistance.

Hillary Clinton With Foreign Minister of South Sudan Nhial Deng Nhial

Press Availability With South Sudanese Foreign Minister Nhial Deng

Press Availability

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Presidency

Juba, South Sudan

August 3, 2012

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FOREIGN MINISTER DENG: Thank you. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press. The Government of the Republic of South Sudan would like to use the occasion to once again thank the government and the people of the United States of America for their past contributions to the cause of peace in Sudan as well as, in their own way, (inaudible) and restore peace and normalcy (inaudible) relations between South Sudan and Sudan following the independence of South Sudan.
We, of course, appreciate the inclusion of Juba on the somewhat congested itinerary of the U.S. Secretary of State. We sincerely thank her for the gesture, which underscores the importance attached by the United States to its relations with our fledgling state and the welfare of its people. We look forward to continued U.S. engagement at both the bilateral and multilateral level, to help (inaudible) to South Sudan’s own development efforts. We also welcome current endeavors by the United States to facilitate the attainment of an agreement on the outstanding issues between South Sudan and Sudan on the basis of the African Union Roadmap and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2046.
The Republic of South Sudan has remained proactive at the negotiating table, where we recently offered a comprehensive proposal, which we called the Agreement on Friendly Relations and Cooperation, and which in our view could form the basis of a mutually satisfactory and beneficial agreement between South Sudan and Sudan. We hope that the United States, acting in concert with other members of the international community, will (inaudible) to ensure full compliance by the Republic of Sudan with aspects of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2046 (inaudible).
The proposals put forward by South Sudan on the Abyei referendum and modalities for resolving the impasse on the disputed and (inaudible) border areas merit serious consideration. We hope the international community, with the help of U.S. leadership, can convince Sudan to accept them. Furthermore, we hope that Sudan can also be persuaded to accept this truly generous package of financial assistance and payment associated with the use of Sudan’s oil infrastructure that the Republic of South Sudan has offered in return for resumption of oil export operations through the Republic of Sudan.
Last but not least, we avail ourselves of this opportunity to reiterate the gratitude of the people of South Sudan for the critical humanitarian assistance rendered to them by the United States during the war in Sudan. That aid went a long way in ameliorating the dire humanitarian situation in imposed on our people during that conflict. In this regard, we beg the United States to push harder for humanitarian access inside Kordofan and Blue Nile states in the Republic of Sudan. Addressing the appalling humanitarian situation (inaudible) in two areas is a moral imperative that is likely to produce positive (inaudible) in terms of getting a fruitful political dialogue going between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM-North. Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, thank you very much, Minister, and I want to express my great delight in being here in Juba for the first time, and to have this opportunity to meet with the President and high-level officials to discuss so many important issues facing this new nation shortly after your first anniversary of independence.
South Sudan’s long quest for peace, dignity, and independence resonated in the hearts of the American people. American families sheltered children fleeing from war. America’s churches and charities provided assistance and support both here and to those who were displaced. And the United States – both our government and our people – remain committed to ensuring that the aspirations that the people of the Republic of South Sudan have are realized.
Today, one year after your independence, we can start to see the fruits of your hard work and sacrifice – a foundational legal framework; new, more accountable governing institutions; and the promise of future economic growth and broader prosperity. But as the President, Foreign Minister, and others along with me and my delegation discussed, we know significant challenges remain. Continued violence along the border of Sudan, unresolved ethnic tensions, gaps in infrastructure and the rule of law, persistent poverty in a land rich with natural resources, and new economic hardships caused by the shutdown of oil. Continued progress hinges on South Sudan’s ability to overcome these challenges. The arrival of more than 200,000 refugees from ongoing fighting in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan is also creating urgent humanitarian needs, both here and in Ethiopia.
Today, I’m announcing the United States is contributing an additional $15 million to help the UN High Commissioner for Refugees respond to this crisis, bringing our total refugee assistance relief to more than $50 million.
The oil shutdown and the refugee crisis both point to an inescapable fact: While South Sudan and Sudan have become separate states, their fortunes and their futures remain inextricably linked. The promise of prosperity rests on the prospects for peace. And South Sudan’s ability to attract trade and investment depends on greater security on both sides of the border.
Today, we discussed how we can work together to support both a lasting peace and greater prosperity. We had a detailed discussion of the ongoing negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan and the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 2046, which provides a roadmap to resolve the remaining issues between the two countries.
I shared with President Kiir that the United States welcomes the recent proposals from South Sudan. It showed great leadership and statesmanship to make such proposals. Now it is urgent that both sides, North and South, follow through and reach timely agreements on all outstanding issues, including oil revenue, security, citizenship, and border demarcation. The people of South Sudan expect these matters to be resolved, but as is true in life and true in politics, both countries will need to compromise to close the remaining gaps.
Just recently in the New York Times there was an opinion editorial written by a citizen of the new Republic of South Sudan, Bishop Elias Taban. I look forward to meeting him later at the Embassy. He wrote – and this makes so much sense to me – “there must always come a point when we look forward and recognize the need to stop fighting over past wrongs so we can build toward a new future. It’s time” – as he said – “to dig wells instead of graves, time to reach an agreement that allows both countries to prosper.”
We heartily endorse these sentiments and the important steps that President Kiir and the government are making, and we will do everything we can to exert influence on Sudan to reach an agreement on these issues. I assured the President that the United States is committed to supporting you, the new country of South Sudan, as you build a free, democratic, and inclusive nation, one that is at peace, both internally and with your neighbors.
How will we do that? Well, we want to help you diversify your economy. Through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative, and other efforts, we are supporting your government’s work to manage your oil sector effectively, improve transparency, and curb corruption.
We are particularly focused on improving agriculture productivity. We believe that South Sudan’s soil is fertile enough for the country to be not only one of Africa’s but one of the world’s breadbaskets. Yet most of your food still has to be imported. So we have launched a number of agricultural initiatives to help change that, including providing loans, seeds, and other technology to South Sudan’s farmers.
We’re also putting a new emphasis on creating expanded trade. Just yesterday, the United States Congress took two essential steps in this direction. First, Congress, at the Administration’s request, added South Sudan to the list of countries that are eligible to benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the so-called AGOA. We look forward to working with the Government of South Sudan to meet the eligibility requirements so that citizens here can take advantage of the significant trade preferences that AGOA provides.
Congress also renewed the Third Country Fabric Provision of AGOA, which supports tens of thousands of jobs across Africa. This has been a priority for both the President and myself, and I thank the many members of Congress who worked with us to accomplish it. This bill will be signed as soon as it reaches President Obama’s desk, and we will do everything we can to make sure South Sudan benefits.
Now, the road ahead, we know, is not an easy one. But the United States has stood with you during your struggle for independence, and we will now stand with you as you build a strong, enduring state. I think of that young marathon runner, Guor Marial, who is proudly competing in the London Olympics, although South Sudan is still too new to carry your new flag. That will change by 2016. This fearless young man lost many relatives in the war. He was enslaved by Sudanese soldiers, like so many other of the so-called lost boys. But he never gave up and he never lost hope. And now he’s an inspiration, not only for your country but the entire world.
South Sudan’s marathon is just beginning. But if I were a betting person, I would bet on you going the distance. And we will be there to cheer you on, Minister, and to occasionally offer whatever aid and assistance we can as you complete your journey.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
FOREIGN MINISTER DENG: Well done. Ladies and gentlemen, we have some few questions from the members of the press. And yes, Scorpion – this is not a real scorpion; he’s a human Scorpion. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Does he bite? (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Thank you so much. My name is (inaudible) from (inaudible). I have one question for Hillary Clinton this afternoon. Ever since the shutdown of the oil of the Republic of South Sudan in January of this year, South Sudan has been actually moving around to get loans from the international donors. To actually support, the people of South Sudan, who are actually in need of a lot of basic (inaudible), like you just say, agriculture, health, education, and many others. But there are some friends of South Sudan who are also moving around telling the donors that please don’t give a loan to South Sudan because they shutdown their oil, including America. What do you say about this?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first of all, that’s not the case. We continue to support South Sudan. We continue to support you in a very robust way. We continue to provide development assistance in every way – in healthcare, in education, in agriculture, as I just said. We are helping to complete the Juba-Nimule Highway. We’re focused on the humanitarian needs. So clearly, we are continuing to provide assistance.
But assistance is no substitute for self-sufficiency. And we understood the frustration and the absolute concerns that the Government and people of South Sudan had over the oil revenues. And we know that shutting down the pipeline, as Bishop Taban says in his article, was something that was in the interest of making a strong point by South Sudan to the rest of the world. I think it is important now to recognize that you have made your point, you have brought Sudan to the negotiating table, you are in the middle of very difficult negotiations that are in the interests of your country. And we certainly hope that those negotiations can be resolved so that the oil can start pumping again, because the great beneficiaries of that will be the people of South Sudan.
So we, of course, believe that an interim agreement with Sudan over oil production and transport can help address the short-term needs of the people of South Sudan while giving you the resources and the time to explore longer-term options. We think that’s very much in your interests, and we would support reaching such a conclusion of the negotiations. We also believe it gives you the time to explore the possibility of another pipeline, which I know is something that your government is certainly looking at. But that will take many years, to do the engineering and to do the building and construction and then to actually start shipping oil.
So this is a delicate moment, because you’ve made a strong, irrefutable point about your rights to your resources. And now we need to get those resources flowing again so that you can benefit from what is the natural treasure of South Sudan. So I would urge your government to work to reach an agreement and then to be very clear about how to use that revenue flow to benefit the people of South Sudan. And we’re going to continue to work with and provide technical and expert advice to the government to do that.
MODERATOR: (Off mike.)
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, do you think the Government of South Sudan has been forthright and honest in its dealings with the United States over the last year and with President Obama in particular? And to your last point on oil production, are you disappointed that the South Sudanese have not taken your strong advice, till now, about resuming oil production?
Mr. Minister, do you think the United States has had unrealistic expectations for your young country?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, as to the second question, I’m not going to substitute my judgment for the negotiating strategy of the South Sudan Government’s. I think that they bear the responsibility for negotiating what is a very important agreement between South Sudan and Sudan. We do believe getting it resolved is very much in South Sudan’s interest, because a percentage of something is better than a percentage of nothing, especially in an interim agreement while you explore other ways of getting your oil to market, which I strongly urge you to do. But getting that interim agreement finalized so that you can get the revenues flowing – because it’s going to take some time to get the pipelines prepared and transporting oil again – that’s just a technical challenge that has to be addressed.
But regarding the larger implication of your first question, we have had a very close and important relationship with the leaders of South Sudan before independence, and we continue to do so today. That doesn’t mean that we are always going to agree. I don’t think the United States always agrees with any nation. So we’re not always going to agree with our friends in South Sudan. But our commitment to this new nation is enduring and absolute in terms of assistance and aid and support going forward. We will give our best advice as we do to our friends and partners all over the world. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of any government to chart the course that it chooses to pursue. And we will, as friends do, point out when we agree and point out when we do not. But I think our relationship is strong and very positive, and we look forward to seeing it deepen and strengthen in the years ahead.
FOREIGN MINISTER DENG: Yeah. I think Madam Secretary has helped us quite a lot with the concept-- question that he posed. In fact, during the course of the meeting which we just concluded (inaudible) Salva Kiir, she said that the United States is more than 200 years old, and yet they are not perfect. And so she doesn’t expect a country that is just celebrating its first anniversary to be perfect, and so I think the expectations they have of us are quite realistic. And I think she has also further underscored that point by saying that despite the strong relationship, the history of support of the United States to the people of South Sudan, she doesn’t expect them to always be on the same wavelength on all the issues. There are instances where (inaudible) where we might not see eye to eye. That’s only natural in the world. Countries have relationships, (inaudible) alliances. But at the end of the day, on the international plane they are equal sovereigns, irrespective of size, of influence, of history and so on and so forth.
QUESTION: My question is: After a year or more, South Sudan is expected to conduct the census, and then after that, the elections. And taking the economic crisis in the country into consideration, this looks to be a challenge really ahead. I would like to know what is USA, as far as observing democracy in this young nation is concerned, what is your say? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we favor democracy, and we favor regular elections in which people have a chance for their voices to be heard and their votes to be counted as they choose their leaders. We do appreciate the logistical difficulties and other problems associated with holding elections, and we stand ready to assist in any way possible so that your process of democracy can continue moving forward, including holding regularly scheduled elections.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, hello. You have a very busy schedule, and I hope you’ll forgive me if I turn to your next stop in Uganda. I was hoping you could tell us what your message is going to be to President Museveni on the question of term limits and the wisdom of standing for perhaps another term in several years. And does the U.S. have any concern that the U.S. might lose a valued security partner if indeed President Museveni does make way for a democratic election?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, the answer to the second is no, we have no such concerns. And I am going to be raising a number of issues with the President when I see him later today. Our position is that there has to be a constitution that sets forth the rules that everyone has to follow. And we believe in constitutional order, rule of law, due process, and it is important for leaders to make judgments about how they can best support the institutionalization of democracy so that it’s not about – as President Obama memorably said in Ghana – it’s not about strong men, it’s about strong institutions.
Now each leader will make a different calculation about that, but our relationship is not with individual leaders. Over the long run, it’s with nations, it’s with governments, it’s with people. One of the reasons as Secretary of State I have emphasized so much people-to-people relations is because I know from my own political experience, leaders come and go. But relations between people, between the nations of the world, has to be based on a strong, shared foundation of common values and common interests, of mutual respect, as the Minister has just said.
So our relationship with Uganda is one that is very important to the United States and to Uganda, and we deeply respect the role that President Museveni has played in his country’s history. If one thinks back to the terrible situation that Uganda was subjected to, that he and many brave Ugandans were able to overcome and establish a peaceful country and build institutions, that’s a great legacy for him. And we will continue to work closely together and decisions about his future will be his to make. But that’s some years off now.
Thank you.

Hillary Clinton Has Reportedly Arrived in Uganda

Today has been a little unnerving since clearly Mme. Secretary had left Senegal, was apparently in Uganda, but there have been no official press releases or photos to confirm that.   I was glad to find this report from New Vision, a Ugandan source,  that is unverified but provides more detail than anything else that popped up today.  Once again, I prefer photos or official word, but the details here lend it credibility.

Hillary Clinton in Uganda

Publish Date: Aug 03, 2012

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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Uganda and will spend a night in the capital, Kampala before a visit to the world's newest nation South Sudan, locked in a crippling border and oil dispute with Sudan.
She flew out of Senegal on Thursday headed for Uganda.
Read more >>>>

Hillary Clinton WaPo Op-Ed: Independence Day for South Sudan

Independence Day for South Sudan

Op-Ed

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

The Washington Post

July 9, 2011

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This weekend, in Juba, South Sudan, Africa’s 54th nation was born. Millions of people are celebrating a new national identity and new national promise. Like on our own July Independence Day 235 years ago, there is reason to hope for a better future — if the people and leaders of both Sudan and South Sudan commit themselves to the hard work ahead.

This day was far from inevitable. For more than two decades, Sudan has been riven by intense fighting over land and resources. Just a year ago, talks between the Sudanese government in the north and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in the south had stalled. Preparations for a referendum on southern independence had fallen behind. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 appeared close to collapse. A return to open conflict seemed likely.

Thankfully, people on both sides and across the world worked together to chart a different path.

Activists, religious groups and human rights advocates focused attention on the conflict and refused to let it fade. Last year, President Obama committed to reenergizing the peace effort. Since then we have redoubled our engagement with partners in the north and south, as well as in the African Union, Europe and the United Nations.

Most of all, though, Saturday’s successful outcome is a testament to the will and dedication of the people of Sudan and South Sudan and their leaders. They have shown that even under the most difficult circumstances, peace is possible if people are willing to make hard choices and stand by them.

But just as independence was not inevitable, neither is a lasting peace between Sudan and South Sudan. Decades of war have left deep distrust on both sides and significant social, political and economic challenges. Both nations will have to take decisive steps to consolidate progress.

First, they must quickly return to the negotiating table and seek to complete the unfinished business of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. That means settling outstanding questions related to finances, oil and citizenship; demarcating remaining border areas; and fully implementing their agreement on temporary arrangements for the contested Abyei area, which lies along the border of Sudan and South Sudan, including the redeployment of all Sudanese military forces. The violence that has flared in Abyei in recent months cannot be allowed to return and jeopardize the larger peace.

Second, South Sudan must address its internal challenges. Its people face wrenching poverty, inadequate education and health care, and the continuing presence of armed militia groups. To succeed, South Sudan will have to begin building an effective, democratic and inclusive government that respects human rights and delivers services with transparency and accountability.

Over the years, American development experts in South Sudan have helped build new roads, clinics and schools; worked with farmers to grow more food; and trained more effective civil servants. As we move ahead, the United States and the world will be there as South Sudan lays the foundation for its future.

Third, Sudan must address its own challenges. Sudan’s future success rests on its ability to end its isolation in the international community. That is the only way it will secure access to international financing, investment and debt relief. The United States is prepared to help — including by normalizing our bilateral relations — and we have taken some initial steps in that direction. But we can move forward only if Sudan fulfills its obligations and demonstrates its commitment to peace within its borders and with its neighbors.

One urgent step both sides must take is agreeing to a cessation of hostilities in the northern border state of Southern Kordofan, which started in early June. We are deeply concerned about the continued aerial bombardments, harassment of U.N. staff and obstruction of humanitarian relief efforts. The longer this fighting goes on, the more difficult it will become to resolve.

We also remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian and security crisis in Darfur. Sudan’s government must move to address the economic and political grievances of the Darfuri people, and to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes. The United States will continue to work with international partners to build on the progress made in the peace process that is now coming to a close.

After decades of conflict, the people of this region have reason to hope again. When I met with leaders of Sudan and South Sudan last month in Addis Ababa, I reminded them that they have the power to chart a better future for all Sudanese. As they do, they can be assured that the United States will be a steadfast partner.

I added the emphasis. The organization of the text is classic Hillary and one of the reasons I always find her messages so clear and incisive.

Secretary Clinton Congratulates South Sudan On Its Independence

Statement Congratulating the Republic of South Sudan on Its Independence

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

July 9, 2011

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I am delighted to join President Obama in congratulating the Republic of South Sudan on its independence today. The realization of this historic day is a testament to the tireless efforts of the people of South Sudan in their search for peace. We commend South Sudan’s current leaders, including President Salva Kiir Mayardit, for helping guide Southern Sudan to this moment. And we recognize the determination and courage of the many southern Sudanese who never abandoned their hope that peace was possible and who stood in long lines on January 9 to cast their votes.

Independence presents a new beginning for the people of South Sudan; an opportunity to build a nation that embodies the values and aspirations of its people. The challenges are many, but the South Sudanese people have demonstrated their capacity to overcome great odds. The United States will remain a steadfast partner as South Sudan seeks to peacefully meet these challenges and build a free, democratic and inclusive society. The strong ties between our peoples go back many decades, and we are committed to continuing to build on the partnership we have already established in the years ahead.

This historic day not only offers opportunity for the people of South Sudan, but also for the people of Sudan and all of Africa. We commend the Government of Sudan on its decision to be the first to recognize South Sudan’s independence. By continuing on the path of peace, the Government of Sudan can redefine its relationship with the international community and secure a more prosperous future for its people. The United States recognizes the important roles played by the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Arab League, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and Sudan’s neighbors in supporting the CPA and its implementation, and we look forward to working with them and other international partners toward supporting Sudan and South Sudan as two viable states at peace with one another.

Secretary Clinton's Statement on the Passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1990

Passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1990

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 27, 2011

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The United States commends the swift passage of UN Security Council resolution 1990, which approves the mandate requested by Sudanese leaders to facilitate the deployment of up to 4200 Ethiopian peacekeepers to the Abyei region of Sudan.

Abyei has been a source of regional tension for many years, as the world witnessed last month when Sudanese Armed Forces forcibly took control of the region, resulting in widespread displacement and looting.

The approval of this force is a critical step in implementing the June 20 agreement signed by the parties, whereby the Sudanese Armed Forces will withdraw from the Abyei area along with any Sudan People's Liberation Army forces there. An Ethiopian brigade will deploy as the United Nations Interim Security Force to enforce this withdrawal and maintain security throughout the Abyei region.

We urge the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to make good on their commitments to withdraw forces from Abyei and use the talks facilitated by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel to reach mutual agreement on the future status of Abyei.

While the United States welcomes this Security Council resolution regarding Abyei, we remain deeply concerned about the on-going crisis in Southern Kordofan. Tens of thousands of people have been driven from their homes, and there are reports of very serious human rights abuses and violence targeting individuals based on their ethnicity and political affiliation. Also of concern is the troubling detention of Sudanese local staff members of the UN Mission in Sudan by Sudanese authorities last week as they were being evacuated from the airport in Kadugli. While two staff members have been released, five remain in the custody of Sudanese military officials. We call on the Sudanese Government to release them immediately and cease any harassment and intimidation of UN personnel in Southern Kordofan. We urge the parties to reach an immediate ceasefire and to provide aid workers with the unfettered access required to deliver humanitarian assistance to innocent civilians affected by the conflict.

Secretary Clinton on Agreement To Withdraw Forces from Abyei

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shares a laugh with Sudanese first Vice President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, June 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, POOL)

Agreement To Withdraw Forces from the Abyei Area of Sudan

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 20, 2011

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Earlier today, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement signed an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which will reduce tensions in Abyei and improve the security and humanitarian situation on the ground. I spoke with leaders from both sides in Addis Ababa last week and I have had more phone discussions with Sudanese leaders since. I know these negotiations have not been easy. I commend both parties for resolving their differences peacefully after the outbreak of violence.

I also want to thank the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel and its chairman Thabo Mbeki, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles, and UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan Haile Menkerios for the important role each played in facilitating dialogue between the parties. The agreement signed today is an important first step – but the real test of the parties’ commitment will be the full implementation of its provisions in the coming days. We will work within the UN Security Council to seek a resolution authorizing the agreed-upon interim security force to support the swift deployment of the Ethiopian peacekeepers. At the same time, I urge all parties to follow through on their commitment to withdraw their military forces and take steps to facilitate the return of the tens of thousands of people displaced by recent fighting.

The United States is still concerned about on-going violence in Southern Kordofan and the resulting humanitarian crisis. We call on both sides to allow unfettered access for aid workers to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. We also urge Sudanese leaders in Addis Ababa to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities.

By channeling this cooperative spirit that led to a successful referendum, and by continuing the dialogue that led to the agreement on the withdrawal of forces from Abyei, Sudan’s leaders can still work together in the lead up to July and start a new chapter in their country’s history. One of peace, prosperity, and closer ties with the international community.

Security and Humanitarian Situation in Southern Kordofan, Sudan

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shares a laugh with Sudanese first Vice President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, June 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, POOL)

Security and Humanitarian Situation in Southern Kordofan, Sudan

Press Statement

Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

June 14, 2011

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The United States is deeply concerned by the rapid and significant deterioration in the security and humanitarian situation in the Southern Kordofan state of Sudan. The Government of Sudan has denied humanitarian flights permission to land in Kadugli for nearly one week. Roadblocks manned by Sudanese Armed Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Army troops are obstructing access by land. Facilities used by the World Food Programme and World Health Organization in Kadugli have been looted. We deplore these acts and call on the parties to immediately allow full and unfettered access for aid workers to provide much needed humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of people displaced from their homes and made vulnerable by renewed conflict.

We are equally concerned by reports indicating intensified aerial bombings of mountainous areas to the south and west of Kadugli and a build-up of military forces in the area. The United States condemns any escalation of the military crisis. If Sudan chooses to escalate further the situation and pursue a military solution to the future status of Abyei and Southern Kordofan, the United States will not move forward on the roadmap to normalization of relations and Sudan will face deeper international isolation.

As Secretary Clinton communicated personally to the parties yesterday, it is imperative that northern and southern Sudanese leaders agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities, allow humanitarian assistance to reach vulnerable populations, and work cooperatively to reach a peaceful resolution of Abyei and Southern Kordofan’s future status through the on-going dialogue facilitated by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel.

Secretary Clinton Announcing the New Special Envoy for Sudan **Updated with video**

Announcing the New Special Envoy for Sudan

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

March 31, 2011

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon, everyone. I’m very pleased to be here this afternoon to introduce Ambassador Princeton Lyman as our new special envoy for Sudan. I’m also delighted to welcome his wife, Lois, and to thank her for being a partner as she has been throughout your very distinguished career to the service that you render our country, Princeton.

Now, Ambassador Lyman is taking over the helm of our important work as the special envoy to Sudan from another very dedicated public servant, Scott Gration. And Scott has been instrumental to our work in Sudan over the last two years. We are absolutely delighted that the President has nominated him to be our next Ambassador to Kenya, and we will continue to rely on his passion and skills for the people of the region, and we thank you for your service.

This is a critical moment in Sudan’s history. Two months ago, in a peaceful display of democratic values, the people of Southern Sudan expressed their clear unequivocal choice. They want to live in a free, independent country, and now we look forward to a peaceful separation of these two states in July. The Government of Sudan played an important role by creating the conditions that allowed voters to express their will without fear, intimidation, or coercion. And since the vote, the government has continued to move this process forward with the same spirit of cooperation.

But as Princeton and I were just discussing with Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson, who’s been our partner in this endeavor, there is still so much work to be done and so much in the way of challenges that lie ahead. One of the most important tasks is to end the conflict in Darfur and to alleviate, and hopefully end, the suffering of its people. I continue to call on all parties to come together immediately to reach a peaceful solution. To do this, all parties should join the peace process in Doha. The Liberation and Justice Movement, the Justice and Equality Movement, and the Government of Sudan must engage in direct face-to-face negotiations and reach a settlement that includes a ceasefire.

Now is the time for meaningful dialogue that produces concrete results. The United States is committed to working with the international community to bring all parties together, to end the suffering and conflict, and forge a lasting peace that will contribute to the better days ahead for the people of both the North and the South.

We are also concerned about the dangerous standoff in the Abyei region of Sudan. We call on both sides to take immediate steps to prevent future attacks and restore calm. Violence is simply unacceptable. The deployment of forces by both sides is in violation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and undermines the goodwill from January’s referendum, which was a very important foundation for the peaceful future of Sudan. Before July’s deadline, as outlined by the CPA, both sides must reach an agreement on Abyei that meets the needs of all communities in the region and is consistent with the CPA’s Abyei protocol.

The United States is committed to the peace, security, and prosperity of both the North and the South, which is why the President has chosen Ambassador Lyman for this important job. His experience as U.S. Ambassador during South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy will prove invaluable during the next few months. His diplomatic skills were on display during the mediation talks between the North and South, and he is well positioned to advise the Sudanese people at this critical juncture. With Princeton guiding our efforts, the United States will continue to support both sides as they work to fulfill the CPA and make the transition to independence. In this new role, Ambassador Lyman will help the Sudanese people make good on the work they’ve already accomplished.

Now, we understand the peaceful separation of these two states will be difficult, but we believe there is a clear path to a stronger, more stable, and peaceful future. I know that Princeton is really so committed to this, ready to go. He has the confidence of both President Obama and myself, he’s got a great team that will be backing him up and working with him, and we just want to thank you for taking on yet another challenge that is important not only to the people of Sudan, but to the United States as well.

Secretary Clinton Congratulates Sudan on the Results of the Southern Sudan Referendum

Congratulating Sudan on the Results of the Southern Sudan Referendum

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

February 7, 2011

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The United States congratulates the Government of Sudan on the announcement of the Southern Sudan referendum results. We congratulate northern and southern leaders for facilitating a peaceful and orderly vote, and now that the people of Southern Sudan have made this compelling statement, we commend the Government of Sudan for accepting its outcome.

We look forward to working with southern leaders as they undertake the tremendous amount of work to prepare for independence in July and ensure the creation of two viable states living alongside each other in peace. The Government of Southern Sudan must launch a process of inclusive governance and take steps to improve good governance and service delivery, as well as to adopt long-term security and economic arrangements with the North.

In line with the bilateral discussions held between the United States and the Government of Sudan, and in recognition of the success of the Southern Sudan referendum as a critical milestone of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the United States is initiating the process of withdrawing Sudan’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation, the first step of which is initiating a review of that designation. Removal of the State Sponsor of Terrorism designation will take place if and when Sudan meets all criteria spelled out in U.S. law, including not supporting international terrorism for the preceding six months and providing assurance it will not support such acts in the future, and fully implements the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including reaching a political solution on Abyei and key post-referendum arrangements.

We urge both northern and southern leaders to continue to work together toward full implementation of the CPA, and urge them to work expediently to reach agreement on the post-referendum arrangements that will define their future and lead to a mutually beneficial relationship.

Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks With Sudanese Foreign Minister Ahmen Ali Karti

Remarks With Sudanese Foreign Minister Ahmen Ali Karti Before Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

January 26, 2011

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SECRETARY CLINTON: I am pleased to welcome to the State Department today the foreign minister of Sudan. Minister Karti is here consulting with our government on a number of the issues that Sudan is dealing with in the very important period of what is occurring with the South and their vote and the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

We very much appreciate the Government of Sudan’s cooperation and assistance in ensuring a peaceful referendum, and we look forward to continuing to work with the minister and the government as we move forward.

FOREIGN MINISTER KARTI: Well, I thank you. I’ve been here for the first visit – first official visit to State and I very much commend the way and thank the way I was received and welcomed. And all doors were open for me to discuss the issues of bilateral relations and issues both of standing issues, also brand new issues in Sudan. We have been able to go on with the process with the South and for sure with the assistance and help of U.S.

We came here also to thank U.S. Administration for all they had done for the people of Sudan and for making it possible for us, two partners, to sit down together, go on until concludes that agreement and throughout the implementation till it is peacefully a point, a very important point of time. And we are here also to look toward the future and are also ready to cooperate and work together with (inaudible) the Secretary and everybody who is here.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Minister.

FOREIGN MINISTER KARTI: Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.

Secretary Clinton's Remarks On Completion Of Southern Sudan Polling

Successful Completion of Polling in the Southern Sudan Referendum

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

January 17, 2011

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The completion of a peaceful, orderly Southern Sudan referendum marks a significant achievement for the Sudanese people and a historic step toward full implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The United States commends the millions of Southern Sudanese people who participated in this historic process, and applauds both northern and southern leaders for creating conditions that allowed voters to cast their ballots freely and without fear, intimidation, or coercion. The successful vote was also a credit to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau, and more than 40 countries and international organizations. We welcome the positive statements issued in recent days by international observer missions from the African Union, Arab League, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, European Union, and the Carter Center.

As we await the official results of the referendum, we reaffirm our commitment to remain a steadfast partner to both parties as they continue to work toward full implementation of the CPA and to develop their post-CPA relationship. The parties have an opportunity to forge a durable peace between the North and the South, and to build positive relationships with the international community. We hope they will seize this moment, and the United States supports their efforts to ensure a peaceful, more prosperous future for all Sudanese.

Secretary Clinton's Statements on the Start of Polling for the Southern Sudan Referendum

Southern Sudan Referendum

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

January 9, 2011

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The successful start of voting for the Southern Sudan Referendum represents a historic step towards implementation of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

The people of Sudan deserve a process that is credible, peaceful and that ultimately reflects their will. Significant progress has been made in recent months towards preparing for the referendum, including the successful completion of voter registration and other technical arrangements. Going forward, the work of the many domestic and international observation and monitoring groups will be crucial and we look forward to their assessment.

We welcome the leadership shown by both parties to the CPA, including the commitment by President Bashir that his government will respect the outcome of the referendum. We also appreciate the parties’ acknowledgment of the importance of continued cooperation regardless of the outcome. This spirit will be important as the parties negotiate the post-referendum arrangements that will define their future relationship.

The United States is committed to the long-term security and prosperity of both north and south Sudan and we will continue to support the Sudanese people. We welcome the ongoing engagement of the international community as Sudan moves forward and we salute the strong leadership by the United Nations Mission in Sudan. We will work closely with all our international partners to maintain strong international support for the referendum process, successful implementation of the CPA, and a peaceful and prosperous future for all of the Sudanese people.

In addition, the Secretary issued a joint statement with the Norwegian Foreign Minister and the UK Foreign Secretary.

Joint Statement on the Start of Polling for the Southern Sudan Referendum

Media Note

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

January 9, 2011

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Following is the text of a joint statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Støre, and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague on the start of polling for the Southern Sudan referendum.

Begin Text:

We welcome the start of polling today for the Southern Sudan Referendum. This represents a historic step towards completion of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We recognise the significant progress which has been made in recent weeks towards preparing for the referendum, including the successful completion of voter registration and other technical arrangements. We welcome the preliminary reports of the UN Secretary General’s Panel on the Referenda in Sudan, Carter Center, European Union, and other international and domestic observation missions, which stated that arrangements are now in place that provide a firm foundation for a credible referendum to take place.

We call for all efforts to ensure peaceful and credible completion of the referendum process in a manner which reflects the will of the people of South Sudan. The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau have made enormous efforts under significant pressure and deserve to be commended for their work. We welcome the leadership shown by both Sudanese parties. President Bashir has made clear that his Government will respect the outcome of the Referendum. We welcome this commitment.

We are encouraged by the strong public commitments of both Presidents Bashir and Kiir to continue negotiations on post-referendum issues and to foster cooperation between the North and South regardless of the referendum result. We welcome these commitments as well as their pledge that the safety and security of all peoples in Sudan will be protected throughout this process. It is vital that these commitments are upheld.

The situation in Abyei remains of deep concern. We commend the people of Abyei for their patience in recent months. The outstanding issues must be resolved in a calm and measured manner and we emphasise again to both parties their responsibilities to urgently resolve the impasse. Clear communication is also vital to reassure the communities on the ground that their concerns will be addressed and underscore that the parties will reconvene negotiations at the earliest possible date. It is also of great importance that popular consultations in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states are conducted expeditiously and inclusively.

The work of the many domestic and international observation and monitoring groups is crucial. We welcome their continuing engagement. We also welcome the strong leadership by the United Nations Mission in Sudan. We will work closely with all international partners to maintain strong international support for the referendum process, and successful completion of the CPA.

Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the United Nations Security Council Ministerial Meeting on Sudan

Remarks at the United Nations Security Council Ministerial Meeting on Sudan

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

UN Headquarters

New York City

November 16, 2010

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much, and thank you for that excellent statement.

I want to commend the United Kingdom for calling this important session, giving us the opportunity to help chart a way toward a durable peace for all of the people of Sudan. And I want to commend the Security Council for their recent visit to Sudan, which was extremely important.

I also want to thank the Secretary General for his excellent briefing and his personal involvement in the efforts to find a durable peace, Special Representative Menkerios for his skillful efforts on behalf of the people of Sudan. I commend the work of the African Union’s High-Level Implementation Panel, led by President Mbeki, as well as the efforts of the African Union-UN Joint Mission for Darfur, especially Joint Special Representative Gambari and Chief Mediator Bassole.

I particularly appreciate the excellent presentations by both His Excellency Minister Karti and Mr. Pagan Amum. I thought both of them, if we could translate their words into action immediately, would have demonstrated unequivocally the commitment to find a way toward a durable peace that we seek.

Yesterday marked a milestone in the history of Sudan. Voters from Southern Sudan began lining up to register for the referendum by which they will decide their own future. Holding this referendum, resolving the status of Abyei, and all of the conditions of the CPA represent the promise of self-determination made to the Sudanese people under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005. The United States believes that these are promises that must be kept. It is critical to peace and stability, not only for Sudan but also for the neighbors, some of whom are here today, and the rest of Africa represented by others, that the referendum for Southern Sudan be held peacefully and on time on January 9^th. And regardless of the outcome, the will of the people must be respected by all parties in Sudan and around the world.

Because we have already seen the alternative. The alternative, the unacceptable alternative, is Sudan’s past, more than four decades of recurring conflict, two million people dead, millions more displaced, simmering tensions that stall development and perpetuate poverty, then erupt again to darken the lives of another generation of Sudanese children.

In the next 55 days, the Government of Sudan can ensure a brighter future, one that does offer peace, opportunity, and hope. But there is a huge amount of work to be done in these next 55 days. And I agree completely with Minister Karti and with Mr. Amum; each member state must do its utmost to help. None of us should look back and wish we had done more. As President Obama has said, although no outsider can dictate events on the ground in Sudan, it is up to the political leaders and the people of Sudan whether they will choose peace or confrontation. But it is up to all of us to help them not only make the right choice but then to implement it to the benefit of all their people.

It was particularly heartening last week to see the defense ministers from Khartoum and Juba hold a rare joint press conference to say that no matter what differences and disputes might arise from the referendum process, they will be resolved through political dialogue. The minister said, and I quote, “There will be no return to war.” And we all fervently hope that is the case.

But to fulfill that promise, the North and South must promptly forge agreements on the crucial issues that will arise in 2011: oil revenue distribution, border demarcation, international treaties, security arrangements, citizenship rights, and the protection of vulnerable civilians, including Southerners in the North and Northerners in the South. The fate of 44 million Sudanese depends on their leaders’ willingness to work together to resolve these issues.

Most urgently, the parties must make the tough compromises necessary to settle the status of Abyei. They must find a way forward that both upholds the rights of the Ngok Dinka and the other residents of Abyei as well as the nomadic peoples like the Misseriya who regularly pass through the area. And they must do so promptly because preparations for the referendum on Abyei have fallen behind schedule and tensions will continue to rise.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement agreed to by both parties calls for this referendum. It also states that the parties themselves can agree to change it. However, unless the parties reach a mutual agreement that is acceptable to all the people of Abyei, the United States and the international community will continue to hold them to their commitment to an on-time referendum, as promised in the CPA.

But even as we focus on the future of Southern Sudan, Abyei, and all of Sudan, we remain deeply concerned about Darfur. Violence is intensifying, human rights violations continue, arms flow despite the embargo, journalists and activists are arrested – some merely for speaking to members of this Security Council – UN peacekeepers are kidnapped. This is all unacceptable.

The United States stands ready to work with the Council to support peace efforts in Darfur and we call on all parties to participate in the Doha talks without delay or preconditions. We urge the government not to target civilians or use proxy militia or support the Janjaweed and other irregular forces, or prevent freedom of movement of UN personnel and aid workers. In Darfur and elsewhere, the Government of Sudan must live up to its international obligations to respect human rights; to allow humanitarian assistance; to protect civilians, including victims of sexual violence; to ensure that refugees and internally displaced people can return in safety and with dignity; and to bring those responsible for atrocities to justice.

As President Obama said here in New York, accountability sends a powerful message that certain behavior, including genocide, is not acceptable. Because in the 21^st century, we must uphold universal rules and values. Officials throughout Sudan, both North and South, have a particular responsibility in the run-up to the voting. They must avoid inflammatory rhetoric, quell rumors, and dampen animosities. They must allow unfettered campaigning by all sides and ensure that voters can travel safely to their polling places.

The voting must take place on time, without violence, and in an atmosphere of calm. I commend the Sudanese people, North and South, and the international community for working hard to make that possible. And we are beginning to see results. Nearly 33,000 voter registration books have been printed and delivered, enough to register nearly 5 million Southern Sudanese voters in the North and South. Booklets to register another 350,000 voters believed to be living abroad have also been shipped. More than 1,000 Sudanese election observers have been trained. And the Carter Center and European Union are also deploying monitors. Russia has generously committed to providing four helicopters that will be used to assist UNMIS in its many critical tasks.

But more must be done, and so we urge all UN member states to support the UN mission in Sudan, and we hope that the Government of Sudan will continue to fund, with help from others, the South Sudan Referendum Commission going forward.

Now, as we plan this effort, it is essential to include women. It’s unusual that I’m the only woman at the table for the Security Council, so speaking on behalf of all women, let me just say that women are critical to every step of building, negotiating, and keeping the peace in Sudan. Lasting peace and prosperity will not be achieved if half the population is excluded from that process. In country after country, as we discussed with the implementation of Resolution 1325, we have seen that the underlying issues that cause conflicts are more likely to recur and less likely to be resolved if women are not involved at the peace table. In both the North and the South, we certainly hope that women will be brought in to the highest levels of government.

The Sudanese people want peace and the United States wants to help them achieve it. We have engaged in intensive diplomacy to help accomplish that. We have spent more than $200 million to help mitigate conflict, provide election security, create economic opportunities, and fund voter registration, education, and observation. We have sent Special Envoy Scott Gration, Ambassador Princeton Lyman, Ambassador Barrie Walkley, and a whole raft of people to try to increase our presence in Southern Sudan as well as to work with both the government in Khartoum and the SPLM in Juba.

And this month, the Chairman of our Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator John Kerry, traveled to Khartoum with a special message on behalf of President Obama. The message was this: If Sudan chooses the path of peace, the Government of Sudan can have a dramatically improved relationship with the United States, including normalization of relations between our two countries.

To demonstrate our commitment to improving U.S.-Sudanese relations, the United States has already taken two steps. First, we have changed our policies to ease the sale of agricultural and irrigation equipment to Sudan, which will boost food production and decrease the need for international food aid. Second, to help Sudan’s economy grow, the United States has supported the creation of a group to work on ways to ease Sudan’s national debt, consistent with international debt relief practices.

Now, these are steps we’ve already taken, but we are prepared to do much more. If the Government of Sudan fulfills the CPA, if it resolves the future of Abyei, if it holds Southern Sudan’s referendum on January 9^th and then recognizes the will of the Sudanese people in the South, then the United States is prepared to begin the process of withdrawing Sudan from our list of state sponsors of terrorism. This would be done in accordance with our laws on terrorism. If the Government of Sudan commits to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Darfur and takes other steps toward peace and accountability, the Obama Administration is prepared to offer Sudan a path to the ending of U.S. sanctions, working toward international debt relief, increasing trade and investment, and forging a mutually beneficial relationship.

We are well aware that it takes not only skill, but courage for Sudan’s leaders in both the North and the South to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, to promote dignity and human rights, to ease suffering and work toward a durable peace, and to include in that peace Darfur. But the world will stand with both of you if you can and do take these steps. We think that the path to peace and prosperity, to good neighborliness, to partnership and cooperation for all Sudanese is clear. It is up to the Government of Sudan, it is up to the SPLM in the South to decide whether to walk that path. If it does, the United States stands ready to assist you and, most importantly, to assist the next generation of Sudanese children so that they can have a future without war and conflict. Thank you, Mr. President.