Bush extends Sudan sanctions over concerns about terrorism, human rights

WASHINGTON – President Bush on Thursday continued sanctions against Sudan, given that country's reputation for international terrorism and human rights abuses, he said.

Bush extended for one year the sanctions imposed by President Clinton in November 1997. At the time, Clinton took the steps because of Sudan's "abysmal" human rights record and allegations that Sudanese officials were involved in a 1995 assassination attempt against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Bush said he maintained the sanctions against Sudan because of "continuing concern about its record on terrorism and the prevalence of human rights violations," including slavery and restrictions on political and religious freedom.

"These actions and policies are hostile to U.S. interests and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," Bush said.

The sanctions do not affect U.S. humanitarian activities in Sudan. These programs have totaled about $650 million since 1988.

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APNP-11-01-01 1616CST