U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Taken Questions
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 11, 2002
Question taken at March 11, 2002 Daily Press Briefing

Sudan: International Monitoring Unit in the Nuba Mountains

Question: Who are the ‘Friends of Nuba?"

Answer: · The Governement of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement signed a cease-fire agreement on January 19 in Burgenstock, Switzerland.

· Following the Switzerland meeting, representatives from a number of countries gathered to discuss the situation on the ground in Sudan and to support implementation of the cease-fire agreement. They called themselves "Friends of Nuba."

· The "Friends of Nuba" is seeking to raise approximately $ 15 million to support the International Monitoring Unit provided for in the cease-fire agreement.

· The United States, for its part, is providing $ 5 million for this mechanism to monitor the disengagement of forces.

· Along with the United States, the governments of Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have indicated their intent to contribute to the suport of the International Monitoring Unit. We welcome additional "Friends of Nuba" to join this effort.

Question: What geographical area will they monitor?

Answer: The International Monitoring Unit will operate primarily in the region of Southern Kordofan.

· The Nuba Mountains are n Southern Kordofan, located approximately 500 kilometers from the capital, Khartoum.