This is historical material, "frozen in time." The web site is no longer updated and links to external web sites and some internal pages will not work.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 20, 1994

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The President announced today the appointment of Ambassador Melissa F. Wells as his special representative on Sudan. In this position, Ambassador Wells will assist regional efforts to achieve a cease-fire and permanent peace agreement to end the long civil war in southern Sudan and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance. She will work closely in these efforts with U.S. Ambassador to Sudan Donald Petterson and with the leaders of Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Eritrea within the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD).

The President praised Ambassador Wells as one of our nation's most respected and talented career diplomats. He cited Ambassador Wells' long and distinguished experience in Africa, including her service as Ambassador to Zaire, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. He noted that Ambassador Wells also has substantial experience in the field of humanitarian relief, including service as Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary General for Relief Operations in Uganda.

Ambassador Wells has just completed service as the United Nations Undersecretary for Administration and Management.

The President reiterated his call for immediate progress in talks through the IGADD to stop the fighting and bring a just and lasting peace to Sudan. He called on all parties to do everything possible to facilitate the supply of humanitarian relief to innocent Sudanese at risk because of the continuing violence and warfare.

# # #