Donald M. Payne: “I want to raise an issue in regard to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Sudan is located south of Egypt with its…”

“I want to raise an issue in regard to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Sudan is located south of Egypt with its eastern boundary facing the Red Sea. It is one of the largest countries in Africa in terms of geographical area, approximately the size of one quarter of the United States with a population of some 29 million people. Almost from the very time of independence from Britain and Egypt in 1956 the country has been divided by ethnic and religious differences. The largely Arabic Muslim North against the Sub-Sahara African Christian and Animist South. Guerilla warfare in the south has persisted for at least 32 years of their 41 years of independence. But, not until 1983 when the Sudan People's Liberation Army [SPLA] was created were substantial gains made in capturing towns from the control of the Khartoum Northern Government. The SPLA is under the leadership of Col. John Garang, a military officer, trained in the United States. Following the 1989 coup, the relative free press was put under strict censorship. I say all of this because the geostrategic importance of the Sudan is vital to our national interest. And Sudan's stability is vital to the region's stability. I too support sanctions which our administration already has put on them. Economic sanctions, military sanctions, visa restrictions on the government and its forces should be enforced; however, this places restrictions on humanitarian assistance that affects the poor and the innocent.”