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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release November 4, 1997

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Sudan: Declaration of Emergency and Imposition of Sanctions

President Clinton has signed an Executive order imposing comprehensive economic sanctions on Sudan. This action is a direct consequence of the Sudanese regime's sponsorship of international terrorism, its efforts to destabilize neighboring countries, and its abysmal human rights record, including the denial of religious freedom. These sanctions will immediately demonstrate to the Sudanese Government the seriousness of our concern with the situation in that country. President Clinton took this action as a result of Sudan's complete failure to respond positively to the more limited sanctions now in effect. It is particularly important to increase pressure on Sudan to engage seriously during the current round of negotiations taking place now in Nairobi. The sanctions will deprive the Sudanese Government of the material and financial benefits of conducting trade and financial transactions with the United States.

The new sanctions went into effect at midnight last night. These sanctions go well beyond the prohibitions already in place as a result of Sudan's designation by the Secretary of State as a state sponsor of terrorism. The President exercised his statutory authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to declare that the policies of Sudan constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.

As a result of these sanctions, Sudanese assets in the United States are now blocked. The sanctions also prohibit a wide range of financial transactions between the United States and Sudan. These include: (1) the importation into the United States of any goods or services of Sudanese origin, other than information or informational materials; (2) the exportation to Sudan of any goods, technology, or services from the United States; (3) the facilitation by any United States person of the exportation or re-exportation of goods, technology or services from Sudan to any destination, or to Sudan from any destination; (4) the performance by any United States person of any contract, including a financing contract, in support of an industrial, commercial, public utility, or governmental project in Sudan; (5) the grant or extension of credits or loans by any United States person to the Government of Sudan; and (6) any transaction by a United States person relating to transportation of cargo to, from, or through Sudan, or by Sudanese vessel or aircraft.

Transactions necessary to conduct the business of the United States Government and the United Nations will be permitted to continue. This order and subsequent licenses will allow humanitarian, diplomatic, and journalistic activities to continue as usual. We are aware of possible issues concerning products in a few sectors. These and other issues and activities will be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on their merit and U.S. national interest.

The prohibitions announced today will be implemented by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The Executive order provides a 30-day delayed effective date to permit the completion of certain trade transactions with Sudan covered by contracts which predate this order.

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