Global Policy Forum

By William M. Reilly

Sudan and the United States agreed Wednesday to delay until after the U.S. presidential election a U.N. debate on ending sanctions against Khartoum.

The Security Council President for June, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte of France, told reporters the two nations, who have severed diplomatic relations, have been holding bilateral discussions and agreed with council members on delaying until mid-November bringing up a draft resolution that would lift sanctions imposed in 1996. "Postponement was a wise decision by Sudan," one western diplomat said. "If the vote were held today, the United States would veto it." Instead, diplomats said, a unanimous vote for the resolution was being sought.

The measure came out of a Non-Aligned Movement caucus last week and was introduced in the 15-member council by Mali, currently in the first year of its two-year temporary term on the panel. It also was endorsed by the League of Arab States and on behalf of the African Group.

Sudan was accused of hiding suspects in the 1995 attempted assassination of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek during a visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as one of the reasons for the sanctions. The diplomats said both Egypt and Ethiopia agree the suspects are no longer in Sudan. Most members of the council, according to the diplomats, also agree Sudan has mended relations with its neighbors and has denounced terrorism. The three reasons sanctions were imposed.

Levitte, speaking to reporters as the French Ambassador, has been saying Paris is taking a "legalistic approach" to the Sudan Sanctions question, saying that "If there are no more reasons for sanctions then sanctions should be lifted." Sudan has been seeking a temporary seat on the council and apparently has the blessing of the African group, which would nominate Khartoum, although there are reports Mauritius might make a try if it sees a chance to nab it instead of Sudan.

Levitte, again speaking in his national capacity, said he saw no reason to deny Khartoum a seat on the U.N. body because it was under sanctions. "There 's nothing in the U.N. Charter" to prevent it, he said. But some diplomats have been speculating that Sudan would forego the council seat bid on a promise from Washington that it would support lifting sanctions.

On the heels of the bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa, the United States launched a missile attack on a Khartoum pharmaceutical plant in August 1998. It said chemical weapon ingredients were found there and Osama bin Laden, the Saudi Arabian born militant blamed for the bombings, was financially involved in the factory.