Sudan: U.S. Leaders React to Referendum

President Barack Obama, in an editorial, stated that if Khartoum fulfilled its obligations to ensure peace the U.S. could remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism but warned, “In contrast, those who flout their international obligations will face more pressure and isolation.”  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed the importance of development aid to both southern and northern Sudan: “We also have to work with, and invest in, the north in Sudan so that they see the benefits of having done a very courageous action.”

In Sudan, Senator John Kerry praised Sudanese leaders, the U.N., and the Obama administration for helping make the referendum a “reality.”  He also reiterated the need to remain engaged in Sudan and help the parties negotiate unresolved issues including the final status of the Abyei region.  Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, cautioned “The U.S. and other responsible nations must not ease the pressure on the regime in Khartoum, or provide any concessions, until the result of the referendum in South Sudan is assured [and] peace has been achieved in Darfur and throughout Sudan.”